Background to the statement of principles

WRI Council has now produced a Statement of Principles, a daunting task that the organisation had not managed since the 1950s. As well as introducing some of the main tenets of pacifism and nonviolence, this statement also respects the plurality of views within the organisation, and acknowledges the complexity posed by certain situations.

WRI embarked on this drafting mainly as a means of stimulating discussion rather than with confidence about producing a final text. However, a text now exists that commands wide agreement without being the lowest common denominator for the organisation.

Together with this document, Council approved a much shorter Statement of Functions, outlining the four main facets of WRI action.

Strategic planning

Producing these Statements has been part of a Strategic Planning exercise which has now cliarified three central developmental aims for WRI: to become truly global; to integrate "newer areas" of activity alongside conscientious objection; and to have a more effective influence without compromising nonviolence. These aims have been stated intentions for WRI for some 30 years already, and are reflected in many WRI policy decisions – including the 1990 decision to help rescue Peace News.

What was important at Council was to analyse the various methods adopted or proposed to achieve these aims, and to determine future steps. Some progress was made, especially with regard to the historic tug-of-peace between those who insist on the centrality of conscientious objection to WRI and those who feel that the organisation should do more to reflect feminist, ecological and economic justice perspectives.

A fuller report on the 1997 WRI council meeting has been published in the Aug/Sept 1997 issue of Peace News and in several of our affiliates' magazines.