2009 Global Alliance Summit for Ministries and Departments for Peace

The Global Alliance for Ministries and Departments for Peace is a community of dedicated individuals, organisations and autonomous campaigns, supporting their national governments to significantly invest in the development of skills and infrastructure dedicated to the peaceful resolution of conflict.

Robert C. Koehler, in his Common Wonders Blog writes:

“Peace is not something which exists independently of us, any more than war does,” says the Dalai Lama at gasummit.org. “Those who are responsible for creating and keeping the peace are members of our own human family.”

These words are deceptively simple, as is almost everything written about the complex, global social structure that we generically call “peace.” We’re in the midst of creating peace: a new human or trans-human structure, comparable in its complexity to the molecular complexity that suddenly mutated into cellular life nearly 4 billion years ago.

The Dalai Lama’s words were addressed to serious citizens indeed: the attendees and others interested in the 2009 Global Alliance Summit for Ministries and Departments for Peace, which will be held in Costa Rica Sept. 17-21. This is the global movement to demand that all governments recognize peace and nonviolent conflict resolution as not only legitimate but crucial processes, and actively encourage and pursue them by creating cabinet- or ministry-level offices at the highest level devoted to that end.

While there are movements in dozens of countries calling for the establishment of ministries or departments of peace, Costa Rica recently became only the third country that has actually done so. The others are Nepal and the Solomon Islands, nations tiny enough for the cynics not to notice, perhaps, but immense among the community of nations in their courage and vision. If we are searching for evidence that humanity has a future, this is part of it.

Press Release: September Days of Global Unity and Peace Calendar of Events

Inland Empire Do Peace and Nonviolence Alliance
(iedopna.blogspot.com)

Inland Empire Contact Bobbi Jo Chavarria, Regional Coordinator, 909-356-4292, chuzpeace [at] sbcglobal.net
National Contact, John Parker, Media Coordinator, The Peace Alliance, 231-313-1612, press [at] thepeacealliance.org

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

CLICK HERE to download this information

September Days of Global Unity and Peace

August 30, 2009, Inland Empire–The Inland Empire Do Peace and Nonviolence Alliance (IEDOPNA) is excited to share a calendar of events in September 2009 for the promotion of peace, justice, sustainability and transformation. The month of September has been noted as a month to celebrate and honor the call for peace as it includes the United Nations' International Day of Peace (September 21st) and of course, September 11, the anniversary of the 9/11 tragedies, but also, the anniversary of Gandhi's first nonviolent action in 1906.

This information was gathered as a local grassroots project of the campaign to establish a U.S. Department of Peace to build the infrastructure for when a Department of Peace is created. The IEDOPNA hope to help these groups and organizations connect with each other and to the community at large, inspiring participation, support, and assistance, because, as it reads on the flyer:

“Throughout the Inland Empire, there are countless peace builders and peacebuilding projects that with limited resources in staff/volunteers, time, and money, give to our community tremendously, helping to highlight and mitigate injustices; actively seeking to build a safer community; educating and mentoring to break cycles of economic, social and physical violence; fostering connection and understanding between different groups; and more.”

The events throughout the month vary from movie screenings, a fundraising walk, punk concert, to regular monthly meetings. “The reason that I do much of my peace work is for my grandson,” says Sharon Swan, a local Mentone resident and member of Citizens Action for Peace (CAP), which is holding their 6th Annual Peace Awards Banquet in Redlands on September 21st. “My hope is to create a better world for him and other people’s grandchildren. That’s my main motivation.”

To learn more, or to share your events with this grassroots project, please visit the local campaign to establish a U.S. Department of Peace at www.iedopna.blogspot.com or call Bobbi Jo Chavarria at (909) 356-4292.

# # #

See attached flyer for events listing.

The IEDOPNA is a regional group of volunteers for The Peace Alliance and its national campaign to establish a U.S. Department of Peace.

The Peace Alliance is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization supporting a growing grassroots movement active in all 50 states to pass legislation to reduce and prevent violence, and to create a U.S. Department of Peace. The bill, HR 808, is currently cosponsored by 66 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, including the original sponsor.

For more information on The Peace Alliance, HR 808, and the campaign to establish a U.S. Department of Peace, please visit www.thepeacealliance.org

---

Stay updated on these and other events at: www.wearedepartmentofpeace.ning.com

Movie Screening: “Jesus Camp” and live performances by MikeXvX & Curdle Motif
Thursday, September 3, 6 pm, Anarchist Café, 4129 University Ave, Riverside. FREE event & vegan potluck. Followed by live performances by Mike XvX & Curdle Motif at 8 pm. For more info contact Jenna Craig (951) 966-6140

YO! Youth Media Showcase 2009 Opening Reception
1st Thursday ARTSwalk, September 3rd, from 6–8 pm. California Museum of Photography, 3824 Main Street, Riverside. Celebrates the stories, images, and graphic design work of talented teenagers who use their artistic visions to bring their communities alive. The works on view were produced during 2008-09 through the Digital Studio. The youth artists will be present and refreshments served. The showing runs through October 30th. There will also be a screening of short documentaries, public service announcements, and autobiographical digital stories by participants in this summer’s MyGlobalVillage social media camp. MGV 2009 witnessed its strongest enrollment to date with over fifty young people ages 14-19, taking part. For more information, contact the Digital Studio office at (951) 827-4796 or digitalstudioinfo@ucr.edu.

8th Annual Our Children Sing
Saturday, September 5, 2 pm-5pm, Court and “E” Street, downtown San Bernardino. FREE and open to the public. Held in honor of founder of Our Children Sing, Alice F. Page. Informational Fair and performances from youth. Before succumbing to pancreatic cancer in 2007, Page founded the event in remembrance of the September 11th tragedy and the daily violence that befalls children across America. Our Children Sing is a cry for hope and peace in a violent world. Keeping the memory alive teaches our children violence is not the way. For more info contact Vicki Lee at (909) 910-7756.

AFU and IE Food Not Bombs present No Reform Album Release Show
Saturday, September 5, 4pm, Pharaoh’s Den, 3579 University Ave, Riverside. Food Not Bombs 101 Workshop presented at 4 pm. Free food provided by Food Not Bombs at 6 pm. Special guests Yaps, Dan Coffman, Trapped Within Burning Machinery, Human/Nature, World Devastator, and Los Rudos.

Food Not Bombs
Riverside: (Every Sunday) 2:30 pm Fairmont Park.
Fontana: (Every Sunday) 2 pm Veterans Park.
San Bernardino (1st & 3rd Sunday): 4 pm Seccombe Lake.
Corona: (Saturdays) at 4 pm City Park, 930 E. 6th St.
Rubidoux: (Fridays) at 3 pm Memorial Park, Riverview Dr.
FREE and open to the public. Food Not Bombs is one of the fastest growing revolutionary movements and is gaining momentum throughout the world. There are hundreds of autonomous chapters sharing free vegetarian food with hungry people and advocating for the end of war and poverty. Come out to help, bring and donate: food (vegan/vegetarian), clothing, toiletries — anything helps. Contact: www.myspace.com/riversidefnb, www.myspace.com/fontanafnb, www.myspace.com/sanbernardinofnb, www.myspace.com/rubidoux, www.myspace.com/coronafnb
Inland Empire Feminist Collective Monthly Meeting
Tuesday, September 9, 7 pm, Back to the Grind, 3575 University Ave, Riverside. Tired of gender roles and sexism? Looking for an equality seeking group? Curious? Join us for the Inland Empire Feminist Collective Meeting. All feminist theories are acknowledged and welcome. http://www.myspace.com/ie_feministgroup

The Other 9/11
Friday, September 11, 7-9 pm, Downtown Riverside, Unitarian Church, Lemon Street. FREE and open to the public. Join us to celebrate the interfaith commemoration of Mahatma Gandhi’s first peace army and Satyagraha on September 11, 1906 with words and songs of HOPE, plus a clip from the documentary “Satyagraha.” Presented by Inland Communities Fellowship of Reconciliation (ICFOR.org), Nonviolent Peaceforce (NonviolentPeaceforce.org), IEDOPNA, and Friends Across the Line.

The Whole Being Weekend
Friday, September 11, 3 pm–Sunday September 13, 3 pm, Buckhorn Camp, Idyllwild. Produced by the non-profit organization, Whole Being, Inc. Registration includes accommodations (camping or cabins), lovingly prepared vegetarian food, lively entertainment, four workshops featuring the best of regional and national presenters, and all the hugs that you can carry. Regular Registration by August 31st: Adult (12 and over) Full Weekend $159, Partial (Sat/Sun only) $139, Child Under 12: FREE. Late Registration September 1st-8th (as available until 350 capacity) : Adult (12 and over) $199, Child Under 12: FREE. Register online at: www.thewholebeingweekend.com.

Int’l Day of Peace Event
Mt. San Jacinto Community College Quad. Please see http://wearedepartmentofpeace.ning.com to stay updated.

4th Annual Walk for Peace
Saturday, September 19, 10 am, in front of Riverside Public Library (Main Branch), 3851 Mission Inn Ave. Open to the public. Check-in begins at 9:30 am. The Inland Empire Do Peace & Nonviolence Alliance’s campaign for a Dept. of Peace is holding the 4th Annual Walk for Peace to raise money and awareness for the national campaign for a Department of Peace. Featuring a kick-off rally before the walk, lunch and fun for everyone afterwards at the Unitarian Universalist Church next door! Pre-register by September 8th with $25+ in contributions and receive a free Tote. No minimum contribution required to walk, all walkers, all ages welcome. Register online at www.IEDOPNA.blogspot.com. Contact Bobbi Jo Chavarria (909) 262-2880.

Movie Screening, “Taxi to the Darkside”
Saturday, September 19, 3 pm, (After the Walk for Peace) Unitarian Universalist Church, 3657 Lemon St., Riverside. In this frank documentary, the story of a young taxi driver in Afghanistan provides the framework for an examination of unprecedented U.S. government policies that include a rejection of the Geneva Conventions. Winner of 2008 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. Not suitable for children. Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Committee.

VFP 4th Annual Peace Day Luncheon
Sunday, September 20, 12 pm, Rick’s Restaurant, 1973 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, Veterans For Peace (VFP). $18 meal includes tax, tip, dessert & beverage. Featured speaker, Ginny Foat, Palm Springs City Council Member. For reservations contact Tracy Turner (760) 325-5112 or Vickie Wilson (909) 825-8176.

CAP 6th Annual Peace Awards Banquet
Monday, September 21, 6:00 pm, doors open at 5:15 pm Mitten Building, 345 North 5th St, Redlands, Citizens Action for Peace (CAP), $25 per ticket. Featured speaker, Mary O’Brien, PhD (Botany) author of Making Better Environmental Decisions: An Alternative to Risk Assessment. Dinner catered by Olive Avenue Market. Reservations contact friend4earth@hotmail.com.

Learning Salaam, Making Peace: Dialogues In Life
Wednesday, September 30, 6:30 pm—7:45 pm, Riverside Public Library (Main Branch), 3851 Mission Inn Ave. Presented by Dr. Muhamad Ali and Samantha Wilson. This Is part of a series on Living in Peace Within a Multi-Cultural World. Friends Across the Line. For more information call 951-824-6322.

“It Takes a Village” Conference: Creating the Family of Your Dreams
Saturday, October 3, 9 am—4:30 pm, University of San Diego, Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego. Redirecting Children’s Behavior of San Diego along with Indigo Village are proud to present this one day convention for parents, educators, nurses, coaches, grandparents, caregivers, and anyone who interacts with children and teens. Information and online registration: www.ItTakesaVillageConference.org.

4th Annual Walk for Peace

CLICK HERE TO RSVP
CLICK HERE TO DONATE

LET'S GROW PEACE
Help create a cabinet-level U.S. Department of Peace. Join the National Walk for Peace in our community!

Help raise awareness and money to support the national grassroots campaign to create a Department of Peace in the U.S. federal government.

• Kid Friendly
• Peace Flag Creation Display
• Pose for Peace "Live Body Sculpture Art"
• Pot-luck Style Refreshments Welcome
• Hear from local Peace Activists

--------------------------------------------------------------
FORM TEAMS with your group or organization, get sponsors to support your walk and join us on Saturday, September 19th at the Downtown Riverside Library.
--------------------------------------------------------------

SEPTEMBER 19, 2009
10:00 am (9:30 Check-In)
1/2 mile walking path will take us past Martin Luther King, Jr. and Gandhi statues

Followed by celebration lunch at Unitarian Universalist Church next door to library!

Pre-register by September 8th with $25 in contributions and receive a Walk for Peace tote.

CLICK HERE TO RSVP
CLICK HERE TO DONATE

All donations received by October 1st will count for this year's drive!!

A lesson in peace and nonviolence.

Passive violence (consciously/unconsciously)

• hate
• prejudice
• discrimination
• oppression
• name-calling
• teasing
• looking down on people
• speaking to people impolitely
• classifying people by their religion, their economic standing, their gender, their habits
• apathy
• ignoring the plight of people
• withholding love
• and millions of other ways our ACTION or INACTION hurt and create economic, social, environmental imbalance that generates anger

“Passive violence is, therefore, the fuel that ignites physical violence, so, logically, if we want to put an end to physical violence we have to cut-off the fuel supply.” —Arun Gandhi

Physical Violence

• Assault
• Killings
• Beatings
• Murders
• Wars
• Rape
• Abuse
• Suicide

“Over 70 percent of the violence that plagues human societies everywhere is the result of the abuse of anger. Anger is an important emotion that plays a significant role in our lives and yet we have ignored it totally.” —Arun Gandhi

Systemic violence

• Homelessness
• Joblessness
• Poverty
• Hunger
• Inadequate healthcare
• Inadequate education
• Discrimination
• Over-consumption…

Peace is not just the absence of violence…
It is the means by which we resolve the effects of violence. It is the strategy whereby we enable ourselves and others to fulfill each of our deepest human needs that can contribute to the conditions of violence. It is a conscious decision and willingness to place one’s efforts towards creative answers and methods.

Peace is active, living, breathing and expressing: joy, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, harmony, connection, community, inclusion, gratitude, and innocence.

Handout attachment: A Lesson in Peace & Nonviolence.pdf

Get Involved

BE THE PEACE

• JOIN the next conference call (see www.thepeacealliance.org for more details)
• “All-volunteer” conference call held the first Tuesday of each month
• “Nonviolent Communication” conference call held the last Thursday of each month

COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND ACTION

• Join our group (www.meetup.com/iedopna)
• Attend our next meeting, event, or campaign action day
• Write a letter to the editor
• Share campaign information with friends, family members, and more
• Learn more about the bill
• Find organizations that would benefit from a Dept. of Peace and share info with them.
• Contribute your time or money to our local campaign
• Attend meetings with elected officials, help us gather support for the legislation at all levels of government—local, statewide, and nationally

CALL AND WRITE YOUR CONGRESSMEMBERS


SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN with contributions to the national campaign.