Candidates for WRI Council (2002-2005)

Ellen Elster, Norway

About me

Very recently have become a grandmother to a boy, all my children are now grown up. I have taken part in the work of the Norwegian Section (FMK) and WRI since 1970's. FMK's activities in the later years have diminished and it has been natural to take part in different groups and coalitions such as Norwegian section of WILPF, antiwar-network, anti-NATO work. Lately the economical globalization and its connections to militarism has become a focus. Women's perspectives have always been important for me. Otherwise, my daily work has been health and social policy over many years and in different settings.

I would like to explore more about the connections between economical and military globalization, and continue to be the link to Women's working group. I write regularly about WRI activities in IKKEVOLD, FMK-magazine and I have made clear for the organization that I will talk about and encourage to WRI activities. Unfortunately, FMK is not very active and visible any longer. But because I do take part in different connections I am know as a WRI-person.

I am willing to serve on WRI's Executive.

Emanuel Matondo D, Angola/Germany

What I want to do when elected for WRI's Council or how will WRI benefit from me(?)

How I will use my position as WRI Council member in my own work, in order to make WRI more know?

If elected for WRI's Council,

1. I would like to share my experiences or know-how on Africa particularly and to work on getting War Resisters' International Network strengthened. Now, the NATO enlarged its operation field to Africa and its militaristic hegemony is going towards(to) South, it is a matter of concern for War Resisters, Pacifists and Antimilitarists from all over the world (or particularly from the Western/NATO countries) to turn their attention to this problematic in the changing world. Who take care about the permanent military presence of French troops in Djibouti or in Gabon and Ivory Coast ­whose forces played a key role in past to support dictatorship like Mobutu or ran the genocidal military rescue in Rwanda 1994-, the militarization of North-Eastern border region of Kenya and increasing NATO's presence in this country after the 11th September 2001. All over the continent, private armies most of them from Northern countries and closed to NATO structures/institutions are operating in wars and conflicts or offering services for genocidal, repressive regimes, rebel groups or transnational companies from extrative mining and oil sectors, for example MPRI and AirScan (USA) or DSL (UK). Who knows about military cooperation between the Turkish Army and Gambian armed regime and police, and about the fact that "torture methods in many police stations in this Western African country changed totally since they are getting special training/services by Turkey", eyewitnesses and victims reported. During the visit of the Angolan President in Washington End of February 2002, Pres. George W. Bush expressed his committment for more military and political stability in the Southern Africa and considered/declared his colleagues and guests from "Angola, Mozambique and Botswana as the best geostrategic partners of the USA in the region" and recommended close military cooperation with these countries. Following this visit, the Angolan Deputy Defence Minister visited the USA and signed a contract for the training of Angolan Elite Forces in the American Military School (School of America?).
   
   I would really like many people within WRI to focus on this phenomenon or trend "NATO going South" in relation with Africa and Latin America. There are more groups or organizations within Africa working on Peace, COs, Deserters and very active against war, militarism and militarization, but most of them do not know about WRI, so getting them join our International Network could hlep sharing experiences on non-violent resistance and peaceful conflict resolution. It will also be helpful for them learning from other experiences from Asia, Latin Armerica, Europe, North America or others countries of their own continents through connections which do not exist sometimes: Getting in contact and enabling contact will be the approach (thru workshops ­like which one failed for Angola 2001-, large post Mail action introducing/presenting WRI with its links in the continent.........)
   
   Once effective African Peace and COs organizations will be connected to WRI and express their commitment, I will push the CONCODOC Project to get more details on this issue from the continent, beginning with Central and Southern Africa.
2. I would like WRI taking internationally strong positions in and sending strong messages for current affairs dealing with war and militarism internationally in form of statements, press releases or reports exposing war crimes, crimes against humanity and severe human rights violations related to wars like conflicts. To reach this aim, I will encourage and promote, within WRI's Network or in association with human rights organizations closed to us, Fact-Finding Missions in countries of concern for reports on committed crimes and different violations by warring and conflict parties or entities closed to them. This will help for Awareness Raising Campaigns and proactive lobbies targetting appropriate institutions for concrete actions/measures like UN Human Rights Commission , UN Special Entities, EU-Parliament, (like-minded governments must be identified!), ....... It would reinforce the capacity of WRI to mobilize the international public opinion and at the same time the national opinion of the concern country which government supports the war or warring parties in conflict zones for example. "Naming the names" and exposing the "War Crimes by Armed Forces and Groups" or institutions/banks/companies behind them. Our activities in Geneva must be also strengthened through briefing of the High Commissioner for Human Rights by Section Members or Experts Associated from the countries of origins who may attend the Annual Session of this Commission (thanks a Representative Status of WRI by this UN Institution): Reports on "Os Crimes dos Militares" (let's call it like this!)
   
   WRI, as one of the oldest Anti-War' organization and one of the former -if not first- Peace Nobel Prize Winners, could use its influence to speak out loudly or cry out in the international tribune against war like advocating against war criminals by using the exisiting Network (of Nobel Prize Winners) to track down militarism. Further, we could analize together how to formulate a common strategy of "Enforcing Peace through Legal Actions" (for example using the "Alien Claims Tort Act" in the USA or Law Suits in Belgium etc.....) as WRI's or antimilitaristic Response to the expanding militarism and military conflict resolutions: I will recommend the creation of a "Working Group on Legal Issues" for action to deal with this topic e.g..
3. Now, we see how the military is changing its strategies in the changing world, getting access to private life in different ways, with the professionalization of the armies in the North they are using all existing medias for their propaganda films and advertising at schools/universities, training journalists or media workers to "prepare them for their coverage in the conflict zones/war countries" and gaining them sometimes to polish the image of military (so that criticism on military remained rare in many cases!), funding film productions (like the Military Film Connection Office in Hollywood, which offers free services to every producers ready to shoot movies praising militarism or the brutality of armed forces) and making partnership with humanitarian organizations (like the cooperation/contract between OCHA-NATO) to present themselves as humanitarian or saving lives of millions, we do study seriously these topics in order to developp effective and equivalent antimilitaristic strategies against. I hope, we can use the existing human potential and skilled persons within WRI Network to carry studies or produce documents on such topics to keep many people informed and initiate critical debates or influence them.
   
   I am reflecting on how to create a Peace Journalism (Friedensjournalismus) or to strengthen it: through identification of media workers and journalists acting for peace, expressing criticism against war or militaristic approach of conflict resolutions. We could work on the creation of Network of Journalists and media workers active for peace or help media professionals join War Resisters' International, at the end constitute a data bank making it possible to mobilize them for actions and articles in their newspapers, TV, Radio, Trade Unions, ..... I (we) can approach the organization "Media Workers Against the War" (UK) for example to work together for this project.
4. I could make my know-how in Fundraising or drafting concepts for fundraising campaigns profitable for WRI (if enough support available from the Executive, Office and Sections ...!). I will like to share my experience from my actually activities by the Foundation Umverteilen! (Berlin) with WRI and perhaps contribute to development of its own independent and dynamic finance source or foundation through acquisition donations or mobilization of potential donors worlwide, Events and Section members. I (we) can work on to stimulate and activate many people in different countries to endow their properties/fortunes for a peace and non-violent cause defended by WRI, now some rich people without parents/descendants prefer leave their possessions served philanthropic and humanistic or social projects/actions once they are not alive.
5. I will also like for the Executive, Council and the Office to analize how to make it possible for WRI mobilizing prominent artists, writers/authors or personalities, who expressed in the past or express their commitment for peace or against the war and landmines, for non military safety or antimilitaristic and non violent conflict resolutions, for concrete actions/activities like press conferences, statements, protest actions or letters to officials, awareness raising campaigns, fundraising campaigns or special events etc.... It will be necessary to set up a data bank with addresses and all contacts that must be updated. I will like to reflect about marketing strategies which could help us getting WRI and its ideals known worldwide for example with the creation of an International Prize for Peaceful and Non-Violent Contribution in Art, Media, Literature, Film,...... WRI's Representative/Section (in the USA?) could attend for example the International Human Rights Film Festival (by Human Rights Watch) or present Film Maker. What's about Cannes, Venedig, Sun Dance (Australia) and Asia ? For more presence and marketing, it helps also for donations!
6. To make WRI known, I think to set up an International Antimilitaristic Event in Germany (e.g. Antimilitaristic Festival with Open-Air Presentations like one runs by COT-Albi/France.every year in November, etc...) which could draw the attention of many people to our topics and existing network. (Location, funders and others contributors could be identified!). An other possibility could be to check how to approach the existing German coalition of non-governmental organisations and foundations which fund the "Peace Film Prize" awarded every year in February during the Berlin's International Film Festival "Berlinale" (Germany), join it later if we share the same convictions.
7. Also in my daily work as author like with my representativities in some organizations dealing with human rights, critical journalism and press freedom, peace, antiracism etc..., I could make WRI known by mentions.
8. How to mobilize the Youth or young people who more and more are going to the streets to protest against the war and violence by military, sometime join the ATTAC or the Anti-Globalisation Movement or seem desoriented.

Are you willing to serve on WRI's Executive?

I hope that the new elected member are briefed on structures and tasks of the Executive. I can imagine/I will like to serve, if it will not cause me some pains now I am looking for a job outside Berlin.

Hilal Demir, Turkey

About my works and WRI work

Firstly, I can say that I am an anarchist-feminist, so it is explaining my politilical standing.

I am working within an antimilitarist group since 1997. Also I am an active member of Antimilitarist Feminists women group since when it was founded. During my political life, I also worked within a gay/lesbian group and an anti-nuclear group. I am still working within some working groups, which are a small group of some women organizations.

My political position is standing on nonviolence. I am also working as a nonviolent trainer.

For me it is not so so important being a member of WRI council. Because I think, I am working with WRI if there smth to do for them without being a member; but if I become a member this relation will become more seriously, so it will be my responsibility to work for WRI. And for the question what can I do for WRI, I think the respond can be that I can transform the information about WRI decisions to the groups in Turkey which I am working with, and provide a connection between them and WRI. Because there isn't a person who has this kind of relation with WRI. Also I can transform the informations about the political works of antimilitarist surroundings and feminist women works. So may be, it can be possible to develop projects with WRI. One more thing is that I don't want to be in Executive Group of WRI.

Howard Clark, Britain/Spain

In a personal capacity, my most public political work remains around peace-building in the Balkans. In Madrid, where I live, I am in close contact with MOC, especially the war tax resisters, and some other anti-militarist groups, who regard me as a resource on international questions. I have reported on WRI at various MOC state-wide meetings, facilitating MOC participation in the conference in Poori and in the action in Brussels and liaising with Objecion Fiscal to get funding for the action in Brussels. I am involved in a local network supporting nonviolent initiatives in Colombia. I am active by email in editorial discussions around Peace News and around the WRI book on Nonviolence and Social Empowerment, and I am editing a forthcoming Peace News section on Colombia. When invited, I write articles or papers and give talks or workshops on a range of themes, in Spain and beyond. I am about to initiate an anti-militarist discussion group in English so that more madrileñ@s will gain the confidence to participate in international events.

For WRI, I think it is very important that Council members work in between meetings, reading, commenting and when appropriate acting on mailings from the WRI office and the executive, and taking part in email discussions to develop WRI programme, publications and occasionally fund-raising. If we want WRI structures to be transparent and effective, we all have some work to do. I want WRI to organise a greater variety of events accessible to a wider range of activists. For instance, WRI should consider mounting more action projects (be they civil disobedience actions, such as 15 May, or longer term projects such as the Balkan Peace Team, be they by ourselves or in cooperation with other bodies), and I am particularly keen to develop the Peace Caravan idea proposed at Council 2001 into a practical project. I also want WRI to help strengthen regional initiatives within our network: this is the best way to build up our strength globally. I would consider invitations to speak on behalf of WRI or to represent WRI where this would be useful, or to take part in project exploration/development work.

Jørgen Johansen, Norway/Sweden

I will stand for Council, not Exec.

Most of my work is Peace-related these days. I talk about WRI in many different contexts. Extensive travels makes it difficult to do local work, My input will focus on contacts to areas where we are weak and to the academic community.

Marija Kirjakovska, Macedonia

Being a part of anti-militarist and feminist activism in Macedonia for some years made it possible and visible for me to see how present is the militarist culture inside Macedonian society. Using the facts of other nationality, other religion, other culture militarism took the most visible form here ­ war. As a member of Peace Action ­ group of young people from Macedonia, I'm co-working on promoting the CO, through organizing several direct actions, info ­ line and consultation office. Besides this, we refer to the other aspects of violence and militarism in society as well (man ­ capital/ money; gender; man ­ nature/animal; etc), so our actions include Critical masses, Genoa solidarity protest, 8th of March (in cooperation with Feminist Initiative, where I'm a member also), 15th of May etc.

And being a part of WRI Council I believe I'll be able to bring my own view on the perspective of war and militarism, share and spread information, co-ordinate common actions, using the background of WRI in different actions here, trace contact with other groups working on anti-militarism and relevant to WRI and the struggle inside Macedonia and Balkans, offer support on CO.

Oscar Huenchunao, Chile

How formal should be this?

What can I say about me?

About my political work:

I have been involved in the anarchist movement since I was 18. Before that I was more into punk & metal music -and still I am. Anarchism gave me arguments to oppose those things I didn't liked, and military service was one of them.

By the end of 1998 I got in contact with a (by then) new organization: Conscientious Objection group Ni Casco Ni Uniforme. Started distributing their leaflets, assisted to their activities in Santiago, including 2nd ENOCAM (National Encounter, aug. 1999). Year 2000 brought, not the end of the world, but a major change in my life: I moved to Santiago. Since then I have been continually involved with all kind of work inside the group. Because of collective way of work, I've never occupied a specific charge, but I acted as a spokesperson, webmaster, organizer, gave small lectures at high schools, etc. and represented the group at such events like the National Forum on Military Duty, organized by the Chilean Government in 2000, and the WRI Council and Seminar, last year in Turkey.

About my positions, I guess that saying I identify myself with anarchism could be enough... or not, so I'll add that I strongly believe in nonviolence as a way of achieving social changes. I want a world when everyone's freedom and dignity is respected, and we cannot build such a world by re-creating the violent ways our present society is made of.

"How will WRI benefit from you? How will you use your position as a WRI Council member in your own work, in order to make WRI more known?"

These questions are hard to answer. I'm from South America and this could help to have a more "global" perspective. Being elected as a Council member is a challenge for me -it will mean a lot of work: promoting the WRI in human rights and pacifist networks as much as I could, being able to represent WRI anywhere... I don't know, I'm willing to do as much as I can.

About serving in the executive. I honestly have to say no, at least for now, since I understand this like being in London, or travelling there frequently... I mean, I'm willing to help on whatever is necessary but I'm not so sure if I could make it. Don't wanna take responsibilities beyond my own level of laziness... err, I mean, beyond my capacities.

Sergeiy Sandler, Israel

My name is Sergeiy Sandler. I am 27 years old. I've been involved in counselling and assisting objectors here in Israel for several years now. In fact, I have been involved in CO work ever since I became a CO myself (I declared my conscientious objection to military service, on pacifist grounds, in April 1994 and was discharged from the army one year later, following two short prison terms). I am an activist in the Israeli feminist anti-militarist group New Profile, which works to demilitarise Israeli society on a wide variety of levels and fields. As part of my work in New Profile, I am in charge of sending reports on imprisoned objectors, and am one of the organisers of New Profile's counselling network for COs and avoiders of military service. Needless to say, I am firmly opposed to Israel's policies, in the present and in the past as well, as regards the Palestinians (as well as to many other policies, but this is no place for a full-scale manifesto). CO work in Israel is necessarily political, and deeply so. The official (somewhat faked) consensus around the military, its actions and the military service, in Israel is a major element in the structure of political power in Israel, much more so here than in most other countries. CO work is thus extremely subversive. No wonder that two collective statements of objection were almost the only actions of the radical left in Israel that seriously affected the political agenda in Israel.

Becoming a member of the WRI council would enable me to further promote CO work here in Israel. It will allow to use the credibility and international scope of WRI's work in promoting here in Israel such causes as - in the short run - the creation of an official CO status for everyone (it currently exists for women only), in the longer run - abolishing the draft, and in the even longer run - regional disarmament. It would also assist us in promoting our routine CO work and political work in general.

I am well aware that when I was offered the possibility of presenting my candidature to the WRI Council, there was an important symbolic element involved in this. Choosing a Council member from one of the world's most noisy conflict zones testifies to WRI's involvement in the area. I hope that by becoming involved in the WRI activity and discussion on the International level, I will be able to contribute to WRI's work beyond the just symbolic level.

Siva Ramamoorthy, Sri Lanka/Ireland

Sian Jones, Britain

If you need labels, I'm a feminist, I'm an anti-militarist and I believe in nonviolence. I've spent a long time in the women's movement, and in the women's peace movement - making the links between them - as expressed by Women in Black - "against male violence, against militarism, against war".

If you want WRI credentials, I'm part of Women in Black and Aldermaston Women's Peace Campaign (a nonviolent direct action anti-nuclear weapons campaign) - both of which are linked to WRI; I'm part of "D10" - an anti-militarist nvda group which involves some WRI people ....oh, and my grandfather was a CO, and I write fairly regularly for Peace News.

What would I do for WRI? I'd put energy into the WRI women's network, and into ensuring that questions relating to gender and militarism were addressed in all aspects of WRI's work. I'm aware that this may not be popular with everyone - so I'd also be prepared to take part in other aspects of WRI's work - (and having already worked on the NVSE conference, I'm aware of what this would involve).

I wouldn't stand for the executive until I'd had more experience as a council member.

Vesna Terselic, Croatia

I accept nomination for WRI Council but can not serve on WRI Executive. As possible Council member in the years 2002 - 2005, I would like to focus my attention on following:

Dealing with the Past

• promoting importance of complementary processes of peace building and dealing with the past
• organising public actions in Croatia

Antiwar Actions

• participating and organising antiwar actions in Croatia

Articulation and Promotion of Peace Building Policies

• participating in Research and Policy projects of Center for Peace Studies
• participating in sessions of Committee on Human Rights and Rights of Minorities of Croatian Parliament
• participating on international conferences ( for example: local and regional conferences dealing with peacebuilding in post-Yugoslav countries, World Economic Forum..)

Education for Peace Building

• giving courses on civil politics
• facilitating of local, regional and international trainings (for example: MIRamiDA and other trainings organised by Center for Peace Studies; Trainings organised by KURVE Wustrov; Seminars for Swiss Expert Pool organised by Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Education and Research for Women's Empowerment

• giving courses on Women and Power
• organising consultations for trainers from civic organizations, political parties, trade unions
• preparing research "Women in Politics"

Greetings from sunny Zagreb