The document summarizes Andrew Benson Greene's experience attending the 2015 Peace Alliance Conference in Washington D.C. It discusses two bills - the Youth Promise Act and Genocide Prevention and Atrocities Act - that were being advocated for at the conference to further peace. It also describes remarks made by guests like Phil Donahue and Ambassador Anwarul Chowdhury about the importance of promoting peace, reducing militarism and extremism, and changing mindsets to value nonviolence and human security over state power.
- The Declaration of World Peace
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- Youth Speak about HWPL Peace Walk
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- The Declaration of World Peace
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- Youth Speak about HWPL Peace Walk
- Companion of HWPL: ECPAT Indonesia Program Director Fitri Noviana
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- 21 March is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Proclaimed by the UN
- ‘PEACE’: Design Invisibility to Reality
- Testimony of a World of Peace from History – Cyrus Cylinder
- Companion of HWPL: WE CAN GROUP, Together We Can
- The Success of the 1st Annual Commemoration of 9·18 World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Summit
- An International Convention on the Renunciation and Cessation of War and International Armed Conflicts
- HWPL International Law Peace Committee
- Women and Youth Rise Up with One Voice
- HWPL brings peace to the United Nations
- Global Peacemaking Project
- Commemorative Address by HWPL Chairman
- Commemorative Addresses by IWPG Chairwoman & IPYG Director
- Overview of the 3rd Annual Commemoration of The Declaration of World Peace and Peace Walk
- Photo Gallery of the Peace Walk in Korea
- Legislate Peace Campaign
- The Worldwide Advocacy Movement
- A Closer Look at the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War – Article I & II
- Sign Your Support for the Legislate Peace Campaign
- HWPL Newsletters since March 2015
Running head STRUGGLE FOR EQUALITY AND PEACE .docxjeanettehully
Running head: STRUGGLE FOR EQUALITY AND PEACE 1
STRUGGLE FOR EQUALITY AND PEACE 5
Fight for Equality and Peace
Jegede Oluwaseun Comfort
Contemporary History
Chamberlain University
Fight for Equality and Peace
Title slide
The struggle for peace and equality, especially from the oppressors, is a hard task and may not be as easy as it may sound. The reason that makes it hard to attain is that the oppressors will also be struggling to continue oppressing the vulnerable and remaining at the top while subjecting the vulnerable to hard conditions. Various undertakings have to be involved and from various sections of individuals, especially the youths in the fight to attain this peace and equality for all the individuals and those that are oppressed by the oppressors. Numerous processes also have to be undertaken in the missions of struggling for peace and equality for all. As a result, it becomes important to look at various aspects that are related to the struggle for peace and equality.
Youths and fight for peace and equality: The role they play in peace-building and struggle for equality.
The youths have an essential role to play in the fight for equality and peace, and they are deemed to be at the forefront of this struggle. Specifically, according to Felice, (2016), the youths play the role of supporting advocacy for both peace-building missions and creating meaningful lives. The other essential role that the youth play in the search for peace and equality for all is that they develop essential approaches that are meant for advancing the political input of all the persons and developing essential efforts destined for making the above political participation be sustainable and even prevail for long. The youths are also integrated into the civil structures aimed at ensuring peace as well as equality for everyone prevails as the failure to integrate them may lead to the entire failure of such peace-finding missions and corporations, (Kemper, 2005). However, despite the essential roles played by the youths, other sections of the community may fail to appreciate them and their efforts, especially when dealing with issues related to peace-missions.
Struggle for peace and equality: Anti-war movements in America
The anti-war movements are among the major strategies of fighting for peace and also ensuring that equality prevails for every individual in any society. Specifically, the contest for peace in American communities involved the use of forces and anti-war movements during the periods that the United States was involved in numerous war crisis that hindered the prevalence of peace in this nation, (Gottfried, 2014). The colonial agents were highly concerned in fighting and also prosecuting the people that led such movements, which included the Mennonites, the Brethren, and the Quakers as they failed to s ...
Running head STRUGGLE FOR EQUALITY AND PEACE .docxtodd521
Running head: STRUGGLE FOR EQUALITY AND PEACE 1
STRUGGLE FOR EQUALITY AND PEACE 5
Fight for Equality and Peace
Jegede Oluwaseun Comfort
Contemporary History
Chamberlain University
Fight for Equality and Peace
Title slide
The struggle for peace and equality, especially from the oppressors, is a hard task and may not be as easy as it may sound. The reason that makes it hard to attain is that the oppressors will also be struggling to continue oppressing the vulnerable and remaining at the top while subjecting the vulnerable to hard conditions. Various undertakings have to be involved and from various sections of individuals, especially the youths in the fight to attain this peace and equality for all the individuals and those that are oppressed by the oppressors. Numerous processes also have to be undertaken in the missions of struggling for peace and equality for all. As a result, it becomes important to look at various aspects that are related to the struggle for peace and equality.
Youths and fight for peace and equality: The role they play in peace-building and struggle for equality.
The youths have an essential role to play in the fight for equality and peace, and they are deemed to be at the forefront of this struggle. Specifically, according to Felice, (2016), the youths play the role of supporting advocacy for both peace-building missions and creating meaningful lives. The other essential role that the youth play in the search for peace and equality for all is that they develop essential approaches that are meant for advancing the political input of all the persons and developing essential efforts destined for making the above political participation be sustainable and even prevail for long. The youths are also integrated into the civil structures aimed at ensuring peace as well as equality for everyone prevails as the failure to integrate them may lead to the entire failure of such peace-finding missions and corporations, (Kemper, 2005). However, despite the essential roles played by the youths, other sections of the community may fail to appreciate them and their efforts, especially when dealing with issues related to peace-missions.
Struggle for peace and equality: Anti-war movements in America
The anti-war movements are among the major strategies of fighting for peace and also ensuring that equality prevails for every individual in any society. Specifically, the contest for peace in American communities involved the use of forces and anti-war movements during the periods that the United States was involved in numerous war crisis that hindered the prevalence of peace in this nation, (Gottfried, 2014). The colonial agents were highly concerned in fighting and also prosecuting the people that led such movements, which included the Mennonites, the Brethren, and the Quakers as they failed to s.
1. 1st Annual Commemoration of September 18th World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Summit
2. Introduction of the Host Organization
- Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light
- Chairman Man Hee Lee
- The spirit of motherhood protects the future generations
- Youth around the World Unite for World Peace
3. Preliminary Meeting of World Leaders at the WARP Summit 2014
4. Gaining momentum: Global Signature Campaign
5. Proactive Step Towards the Everlasting Peace through Convention on the cessation of International Armed Conficts
6. HWPL, officially recognized by UN DPI
- What exactly is UN DPI?
- How has HWPL become associated with UN DPI?
- How can HWPL cooperate to further the efforts and missions of UN?
7. Interview with Suraj Bhattarai, Editor of Himalaya Television
- Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War Official Poster
- A Letter to Family Members Around the World
- Introduction of the HWPL Peace Advocacy Committee
- Action Plans of the HWPL Peace Advocacy Committee
- Messages for the World Youth and Women
- Photo Gallery of the Advocacy Committee Worldwide
- A Closer Look at the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War – Preamble –
- Pledge for Peace and Let Your Voices be Heard
- How to Pledge for the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War
- Stay tuned for the 5·25 IPYG Peace Walk Festival
HWPL Newsletter 2015 September : Insdide WARP SummitHWPL
- 1st Annual Commemoration of September 18th World Alliance of Religions' Peace Summit
- Women and Youth Leaders’ Conference for Development of an International Convention on the Cessation of War and Achievement of World Peace
- Peace Sessions on Women, Youth, Media
- Religious Leaders’ Conference
- 2015 HWPL International Conference
- Panel Discussion
- HWPL Chairman Answers to FAQ
What Is Peace? Essay
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War or Peace? Essays
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The Importance Of Peace
Peace In Judaism
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- 21 March is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Proclaimed by the UN
- ‘PEACE’: Design Invisibility to Reality
- Testimony of a World of Peace from History – Cyrus Cylinder
- Companion of HWPL: WE CAN GROUP, Together We Can
- The Success of the 1st Annual Commemoration of 9·18 World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Summit
- An International Convention on the Renunciation and Cessation of War and International Armed Conflicts
- HWPL International Law Peace Committee
- Women and Youth Rise Up with One Voice
- HWPL brings peace to the United Nations
- Global Peacemaking Project
- Commemorative Address by HWPL Chairman
- Commemorative Addresses by IWPG Chairwoman & IPYG Director
- Overview of the 3rd Annual Commemoration of The Declaration of World Peace and Peace Walk
- Photo Gallery of the Peace Walk in Korea
- Legislate Peace Campaign
- The Worldwide Advocacy Movement
- A Closer Look at the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War – Article I & II
- Sign Your Support for the Legislate Peace Campaign
- HWPL Newsletters since March 2015
Running head STRUGGLE FOR EQUALITY AND PEACE .docxjeanettehully
Running head: STRUGGLE FOR EQUALITY AND PEACE 1
STRUGGLE FOR EQUALITY AND PEACE 5
Fight for Equality and Peace
Jegede Oluwaseun Comfort
Contemporary History
Chamberlain University
Fight for Equality and Peace
Title slide
The struggle for peace and equality, especially from the oppressors, is a hard task and may not be as easy as it may sound. The reason that makes it hard to attain is that the oppressors will also be struggling to continue oppressing the vulnerable and remaining at the top while subjecting the vulnerable to hard conditions. Various undertakings have to be involved and from various sections of individuals, especially the youths in the fight to attain this peace and equality for all the individuals and those that are oppressed by the oppressors. Numerous processes also have to be undertaken in the missions of struggling for peace and equality for all. As a result, it becomes important to look at various aspects that are related to the struggle for peace and equality.
Youths and fight for peace and equality: The role they play in peace-building and struggle for equality.
The youths have an essential role to play in the fight for equality and peace, and they are deemed to be at the forefront of this struggle. Specifically, according to Felice, (2016), the youths play the role of supporting advocacy for both peace-building missions and creating meaningful lives. The other essential role that the youth play in the search for peace and equality for all is that they develop essential approaches that are meant for advancing the political input of all the persons and developing essential efforts destined for making the above political participation be sustainable and even prevail for long. The youths are also integrated into the civil structures aimed at ensuring peace as well as equality for everyone prevails as the failure to integrate them may lead to the entire failure of such peace-finding missions and corporations, (Kemper, 2005). However, despite the essential roles played by the youths, other sections of the community may fail to appreciate them and their efforts, especially when dealing with issues related to peace-missions.
Struggle for peace and equality: Anti-war movements in America
The anti-war movements are among the major strategies of fighting for peace and also ensuring that equality prevails for every individual in any society. Specifically, the contest for peace in American communities involved the use of forces and anti-war movements during the periods that the United States was involved in numerous war crisis that hindered the prevalence of peace in this nation, (Gottfried, 2014). The colonial agents were highly concerned in fighting and also prosecuting the people that led such movements, which included the Mennonites, the Brethren, and the Quakers as they failed to s ...
Running head STRUGGLE FOR EQUALITY AND PEACE .docxtodd521
Running head: STRUGGLE FOR EQUALITY AND PEACE 1
STRUGGLE FOR EQUALITY AND PEACE 5
Fight for Equality and Peace
Jegede Oluwaseun Comfort
Contemporary History
Chamberlain University
Fight for Equality and Peace
Title slide
The struggle for peace and equality, especially from the oppressors, is a hard task and may not be as easy as it may sound. The reason that makes it hard to attain is that the oppressors will also be struggling to continue oppressing the vulnerable and remaining at the top while subjecting the vulnerable to hard conditions. Various undertakings have to be involved and from various sections of individuals, especially the youths in the fight to attain this peace and equality for all the individuals and those that are oppressed by the oppressors. Numerous processes also have to be undertaken in the missions of struggling for peace and equality for all. As a result, it becomes important to look at various aspects that are related to the struggle for peace and equality.
Youths and fight for peace and equality: The role they play in peace-building and struggle for equality.
The youths have an essential role to play in the fight for equality and peace, and they are deemed to be at the forefront of this struggle. Specifically, according to Felice, (2016), the youths play the role of supporting advocacy for both peace-building missions and creating meaningful lives. The other essential role that the youth play in the search for peace and equality for all is that they develop essential approaches that are meant for advancing the political input of all the persons and developing essential efforts destined for making the above political participation be sustainable and even prevail for long. The youths are also integrated into the civil structures aimed at ensuring peace as well as equality for everyone prevails as the failure to integrate them may lead to the entire failure of such peace-finding missions and corporations, (Kemper, 2005). However, despite the essential roles played by the youths, other sections of the community may fail to appreciate them and their efforts, especially when dealing with issues related to peace-missions.
Struggle for peace and equality: Anti-war movements in America
The anti-war movements are among the major strategies of fighting for peace and also ensuring that equality prevails for every individual in any society. Specifically, the contest for peace in American communities involved the use of forces and anti-war movements during the periods that the United States was involved in numerous war crisis that hindered the prevalence of peace in this nation, (Gottfried, 2014). The colonial agents were highly concerned in fighting and also prosecuting the people that led such movements, which included the Mennonites, the Brethren, and the Quakers as they failed to s.
1. 1st Annual Commemoration of September 18th World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Summit
2. Introduction of the Host Organization
- Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light
- Chairman Man Hee Lee
- The spirit of motherhood protects the future generations
- Youth around the World Unite for World Peace
3. Preliminary Meeting of World Leaders at the WARP Summit 2014
4. Gaining momentum: Global Signature Campaign
5. Proactive Step Towards the Everlasting Peace through Convention on the cessation of International Armed Conficts
6. HWPL, officially recognized by UN DPI
- What exactly is UN DPI?
- How has HWPL become associated with UN DPI?
- How can HWPL cooperate to further the efforts and missions of UN?
7. Interview with Suraj Bhattarai, Editor of Himalaya Television
- Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War Official Poster
- A Letter to Family Members Around the World
- Introduction of the HWPL Peace Advocacy Committee
- Action Plans of the HWPL Peace Advocacy Committee
- Messages for the World Youth and Women
- Photo Gallery of the Advocacy Committee Worldwide
- A Closer Look at the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War – Preamble –
- Pledge for Peace and Let Your Voices be Heard
- How to Pledge for the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War
- Stay tuned for the 5·25 IPYG Peace Walk Festival
HWPL Newsletter 2015 September : Insdide WARP SummitHWPL
- 1st Annual Commemoration of September 18th World Alliance of Religions' Peace Summit
- Women and Youth Leaders’ Conference for Development of an International Convention on the Cessation of War and Achievement of World Peace
- Peace Sessions on Women, Youth, Media
- Religious Leaders’ Conference
- 2015 HWPL International Conference
- Panel Discussion
- HWPL Chairman Answers to FAQ
The City Upon the Hill is poised to set the standards for National and Global Peace
1. [Just as it takes acts of war to make war, it takes acts of peace to make peace – Andrew Benson Greene]
The City Upon the Hill is poised
to set the standards for National
and Global Peace
By Andrew Benson Greene. Maryland. USA
2. [Just as it takes acts of war to make war, it takes acts of peace to make peace – Andrew Benson Greene]
Delegates at the 2015 Peace Alliance Conference Washington
Plaza Hotel DC
3. [Just as it takes acts of war to make war, it takes acts of peace to make peace – Andrew Benson Greene]
Andrew (right) and Congreeman Bobby Scott (Left)
4. [Just as it takes acts of war to make war, it takes acts of peace to make peace – Andrew Benson Greene]
Through an incredible opportunity I recently had to attend the annual
Peace Alliance Conference from October 16th to 20th in the nation's capital
in Washington D.C, I became sufficiently aware of two important Bills that
now lay fallow on the desk of Congress and awaiting to be ratified by the
congress at the Capitol Hill so that it will sow the seeds of lasting global
peace and youth empowerment. They are the Youth Promise Act and the
Genocide Prevention and Atrocities Act. The importance of these two Bills
cannot be overemphasized in our quest to realize national and
International Peace.
It is time for congress to act on these bills now much as the trust and faith
put upon them by their electorates. I say this because I have been much
guided by the standard John Winthrop set before his shipmates on the
flagship Arbella three hundred and thirty-one years ago, as they, too, faced
the task of building a new government on a perilous frontier. "We must
always consider", John said, "that we shall be as a city upon a hill—the eyes
of all people are upon us".
The Peace Alliance Conference at Washington Plaza Hotel October 16th to
20th brought together hundreds of Peace Builders from across the US
around the world.
5. [Just as it takes acts of war to make war, it takes acts of peace to make peace – Andrew Benson Greene]
At the Peace Alliance with other Peace Activist, Judy Kimmel,
Dorothy J. Maver, Andrew Benson Greene including Phil
Donahue - creator and host of The Phil Donahue Show, which
ran from 1967 to 1996, the longest running syndicated talk
show in U.S. television history
6. [Just as it takes acts of war to make war, it takes acts of peace to make peace – Andrew Benson Greene]
Phil Donahue, in moderating one of the esteem panels of
Guest Speakers sets the stage for us all. He opened up the discussions by
providing a synopsis of his famous documentary film 'Body of War', to
decry the very notion of sending young people into war and expressed a
truly valuable anti-war sentiments. Phil passionately tells the story of a
young War Veteran Tomas Young, who returns from
duty from Iraqi with a devastating and severed spine and
an accompanying post-traumatic stress disorder. Phil Donahue briefly
describes the effect of the bullets on Tom in a passionate, compelling and
heart-felt way, and shares Tom's experiences as Tom reflects his horrid
experiences in combat and the high prices he paid for going into fight in
the Middle East. Phil questions the rational and validity of war, which
more often shatters young men and women's lives.
Whilst moderating the panel, Phil opined that " If you gonna send
kids to war, show the pain, show the harm in the harms way.
All the euphemism we use; 'soldiers don't die, they fall...they
fallen, and it just makes it easier to have another war. This
nation is not welcoming to decent. We have people go and die at
foreign battlefields to protect our way of life at the center of
which is free speech and when we need it the most, we are told
to shot up and sing, and it is killing our young adults and
7. [Just as it takes acts of war to make war, it takes acts of peace to make peace – Andrew Benson Greene]
children. we are becoming a nation of war."
Andrew at the Peace Alliance Conference with Ambassador
Anwarul Chowdhury
8. [Just as it takes acts of war to make war, it takes acts of peace to make peace – Andrew Benson Greene]
Phil Donahue, introduced one of the Guest Speakers Amb. Anwarul
Chowdhury as one who "have been through the trenches". Phil
said that Ambassador Chowdhury Anwarul "does not just talk,
but he actually stands up and does". Phil asked the
Ambassador: “What will you like to share with this assembly of people of
conscience.”
Ambassador Chowdhury, first began by sending a few accolades to Phil by
saying that "I will also add that what a wonderful contribution you have
made by giving us such an inspirational documentary ‘Body of War’. I
think this is a contribution to the world as a whole, it’s a contribution and a
testimony against war and the effects of war...I give you my tribute and
salute for this contribution."
The Ambassador goes on to say " I will echo you, by saying what a
wonderful work the Peace Alliance is doing under its leadership of the
Board Chair Judy Kimmel, the President Bob Baskin , and everybody else
and I will particularly mention Mathew Albracht who has been really a
dynamic forces in this big movement that has been waged (if I may say), by
the peace alliance, and I will pay tribute to you for identifying this five
corner stones of peace building. wonderful work! Wonderful work, and I
think the world community has a lot to learn from this energy that you are
sharing with us. And so I am very happy to be here and very happy that this
‘Be the Movement, take a step for peace’ is being launched here at the
conference and this is a wonderful opportunity for me to share some words
with you.
The culture of peace has been a message that we wanted to convey as the
world was coming out of the cold war, now as we’ve entered the second
decade of the new millennium, we have made peace and no-violence a way
of life for each one of us and that is the only time the message of the UN will
be useful, successful and meaningful to us. And that has been my message
in the UN since then in a very strong way. In 1999 the general assembly
adopted the program of action on the culture of peace. That I believe is the
essence of new humanity if you want to create it where peace is and where
we know how to face the challenges of our lives in a peaceful and non-
violent way. We can meet or resolve our problems in a non-aggressive way
and that is the basic thing. If we do not ourselves believe in peace, we
cannot ask for world peace. The essential message of peace is actually we
may have outer diversity but there is an inner oneness in all of us. We
belong to one humanity, we have to feel the sense of solidarity and a sense
9. [Just as it takes acts of war to make war, it takes acts of peace to make peace – Andrew Benson Greene]
of oneness with the rest of the world otherwise if we are too narrowly
focused on our individual objective and that too, reaching that objective
through force, or through might we will lead nowhere but will continue to
face the kind of bitterness that we see, and which I was experiencing in this
city hall meeting in Kosovo. The culture of peace has been a message we
wanted to convey as the world was coming out of the cold war, we thought
now is the time for us to reduce military expenditure and to get the benefits
of what we called the ‘peace dividend’, we thought the world has come close
to a point when this military expenditure could be diverted to reduction of
poverty, providing basic needs to the people’s of the world, providing health
care and education to children so that they grow up as good productive
citizens of the world. But again, we see as the new millennium came as we
entered the second decade of the new million worst violence are being
committed ad we have found that all our hopes have been dashed. But you
know, talking about peace will not make any progress unless we can we are
confident to bring the change in ourselves, change in our minds that is very
important. Wealth and Technology can only bring us give us that
opportunity open up the opportunity but to take advantage of that
opportunity we need a changed mindset and that is what is intended
through the Culture of Peace, where peace becomes our daily existence. So
let me sort of set the scene by saying that this is what is needed and each
one of us can contribute to the global movement for peace. We should not
feel that we have to be a political leader, we have to win a peace prize to be a
peace advocate. Each one of us in our own lives and in our own way can
make the world a better place, A peaceful place, a non-violent ways and it
starts with ourselves, in our families, in our communities, in our nations,
and we can expand, and then this change of mind set should generate a
global consciousness for peace and I think that is very important that we
need to think about.
Let me also add three things that I feel is very important to bear in
mind. In the present context, this is the rising extremism in the State
Department lingo it is called violent extremism. But I believe every
extremism is violent by its nature. Extremist thoughts are violent, maybe
physical or not attacking anybody, silent violence and inactive violence can
cause serious damage to others. I believe that we should try to see in our
lives and in our activities that we avoid any sort of extremism.
The second thing I believe is very important is to really understand that the
world is increasing its militarization efforts and I will add to that also the
10. [Just as it takes acts of war to make war, it takes acts of peace to make peace – Andrew Benson Greene]
issue of militarism as such, that militarism can resolve problems or
militarization is a way of resolving problems. That is something that we
need to denounce in the best and strongest possible way. And also I will
emphasize that this so-called perception of security on the basis of the
power of state is something of which has no place in modern world. We
should focus on what we call human security, security of each one of us.
You may be the most powerful nation in the world but individually we may
feel very insecure even in our own country, and that is what we are seeing
in the recent development. So human security, where people are secured,
people feel happy and comfortable and that is very important. And all this
should lead us to feel confident that we are a global citizen. Gone are the
days of those national boundaries and nation states. we have to feel like a
global citizen, and that everything happens with me or that I influence
should have an effect on the rest of the world and that is very important and
we should remember that very strongly. Time and era for the global citizen
is here. Thank you”
Truth be told, it is evident that the eyes of all people are truly upon
Congress to ratify these equally important Bills—and as a Peace Builder and
peace advocate who have seen and experienced the horrendous
consequences of war, I count on the representatives in Congress, the US
governments, in every branch, at every level, national, state and local, to act
for the Youth of the Nation and also set the standard for global peace just
as America and its city has been destined and must be maintained as a city
upon a hill — ‘constructed and inhabited by men aware of their great trust
and their great responsibilities’
Just so you know how important Youth Promise Act is when passed in to
law, will provide America’s hardest hit communities around the country
with the support and funding they need to effectively address youth
violence issues.
The youth are awash with great minds and to provide a
platform for them will make such a significant difference, and
will lure them away from the trappings of poverty and crimes
that diminish their potentials and hold their dreams at
bay. Andrew Greene founder B-Gifted Foundation
"The Act sets itself apart by specifically focusing on innovative,
evidence-based violence prevention and intervention strategies,
and ‘this bill ensures we are funding programs that save lives
11. [Just as it takes acts of war to make war, it takes acts of peace to make peace – Andrew Benson Greene]
and give every young person the opportunity to meet his or her
potential". The Peace Alliance
In furtherance of the merits of the Youth Promise Act is that it will ‘help
engage and divert at-risk youth proactively, before they slip into cycles of
violence, incarceration and despair. And, these community-based practices
have been shown to reduce rates of violence more effectively and at a
substantially lower cost than criminal enforcement and incarceration’.
The Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act will no doubt be the
cornerstone of International Peace Building and will champion
peacebuilding approaches to International conflicts and atrocities
prevention in hot spots through mediation, diplomacy, and effective on the
ground programs through such important components like humanitarian
aid, mediation and support, and a host of peace building strategies that will
enhance the democratic process in fragile states and countries prone to
conflicts.
12. [Just as it takes acts of war to make war, it takes acts of peace to make peace – Andrew Benson Greene]
In support of these important Bills, I was moved to join a plethora of Peace
Activist and supporters from around the country this week as part of the
annual Peace Alliance conference. We embarked upon a mission on Capitol
Hill to bring our voices and articulate key messages that our nation’s
hardest hit communities deserve the support and funding they desperately
need to implement youth violence prevention and intervention strategies.
13. [Just as it takes acts of war to make war, it takes acts of peace to make peace – Andrew Benson Greene]
As a first step, we went lobbying with congress to pass the Genocide and
Mass Atrocity Prevention Act as well as the Youth Act and to provide the
tools and training for transforming individuals, communities, and our
nations to deal with conflicts and prevent violence by providing youth with
innovative and creative intervention solutions to promote peace and save
lives, and increase society awareness for peace building and resilient
communities.
We wanted a future for the youth and urged the support of congress and
representatives to endorse and support the Youth Promise Act that will
totally mitigate violence amongst youth, reduce cost and bring back the
vitality of our youth and their achievements. It will provide creative and
innovative arenas such as in sports, arts, academic excellence, thereby
diminishing the rising tide of current crimes, drugs, sentences and youthful
years of wastefulness that so much erode the potentials of youth. We want
to convert these years of youth into productive ones and enable them
become productive citizens. The Youth Promise Act will provide every
opportunity to turn the dreams of the nation’s youth into reality.
14. [Just as it takes acts of war to make war, it takes acts of peace to make peace – Andrew Benson Greene]
Lobbying in Congress with Peace Builder Sylvia Boorstein
In support of the Youth Act and Genocide Prevention Act, the Peace
Alliance hosted a 5 days events and at it’s climax, I joined hundreds of
participants from across the nation, and we matched to the Capitol to
reiterate the importance of passing the Bills. Earlier at the event, I was in
the company of some of the greatest minds in peacebuilding and global
affairs as they push the boundaries of peace and urged us to think
differently about how we approach conflicts and find peaceful solutions for
15. [Just as it takes acts of war to make war, it takes acts of peace to make peace – Andrew Benson Greene]
some of the greatest threats that confront our societies today including
today's turbulent wars around the world
The Peace Alliance conference attracted a gathering of prominent global
figures, grassroots practitioners and thought leaders from politics, the Law,
business and society to look at the state-of-the-art of lobbying for
peacebuilding and human security.
I was pleased to share my personal and professional experiences in
peacebuilding from my small native country of Sierra Leone that has
experienced a decade of war and recovering from it’s aftermath. I knew that
16. [Just as it takes acts of war to make war, it takes acts of peace to make peace – Andrew Benson Greene]
war is by definition a means of violating human rights and that peace is not
only a core human value, but a core human rights. I knew the devastating
effects of war on youth and children and have been on all fours in over 10
years, working tirelessly to promote peace and locate resources so that
children and youth can engage in meaningful productive collaborative
publishing assignments, whilst acting to rebuild the vestiges of war and its
debilitating effects on the
youth. http://digitalhopesierraleone.blogspot.com http://couragetotravers
ethethreshold.blogspot.com/
The human and financial loss of billions of Dollars is so huge, and it is so
necessary to find an alternative to the Pyrrhic victory that war brings. One
of the ways I believe and much of the Peace Alliance delegates do proffer
the solution is to instill an international peacebuilding approach to solve
conflicts efficiently and at low financial cost and less human tragedy.
My experiences at hearing the speakers and expert panels, the discussions
on a range of peaceful strategies and lobbying with congress have all
inspired me and helped to provide unmatched insight into advocating for
global peace.
It was also great to recognize that the enthusiasm for peace in that hall of
the Washington Plaza Hotel, never waned. It was equally inspirational to
hear talks from some of the worlds’ most inspirational and experienced
peacemakers and this sends the right signal for an end to war and
intolerance, an end to youth violence and a determination for all to
embrace and further international peaceful solutions to potential conflicts.
17. [Just as it takes acts of war to make war, it takes acts of peace to make peace – Andrew Benson Greene]
We realized that we cannot do it alone without peace loving citizens of the
nation and around the world, and we call on you all peace builders to raise
your voices and to help share our message to congress and representatives
that youth in our communities must be made safe, peaceful and the world a
better place. My experiences at the event was witnessing the light of peace
and the participants truly aspiring and hoping to rapidly spread it
throughout the world through the distinguished attendee from all sectors;
heads of various Institutions including lawyers, religious leaders,
academics, legislators, youth representatives, women leaders, and world
media.
18. [Just as it takes acts of war to make war, it takes acts of peace to make peace – Andrew Benson Greene]
Participants and panelists shared their thought to all the global family
about the good news of peace deeply within their hearts. Mainly, they
aspired to send letters to congress, meet with leaders of congress and to
send and share the information about the Youth Promise Act and Genocide
Prevention and Atrocities Prevention Act for peace to all the world and the
youth of this generation and the future leaders of peace to playing as vital
role to carry out the peaceful generations.
All the speakers have the youth of the country and the world in their hearts
and believe that the true power to bring peace to this world resides upon
youth. In order to cease all wars in the world, it is important that
International Law should prevent wars from happening and there should
be no more conflicts but only harmony among different nations and
religions. When the youth support the nations for peace and the religions to
become one and urge the implementation of an international convention on
cessation of war and world peace, peace will become a reality.
Just as the Representatives of the House of Congress have committed
themselves to tasks of statecraft, I count on their competence, judiciousness
to be suffice in critical times such as these for an action that will forever
change the nation and our world. President Ronald Reagan in his 1984
acceptance of the Republican party nomination and in his January 11, 1989,
farewell speech to the nation remarked of the importance placed on those
on the Capitol Hill:
...I've spoken of the shining city all my political life, but I don't
know if I ever quite communicated what I saw when I said it.
But in my mind it was a tall proud city built on rocks stronger
than oceans, wind-swept, God-blessed, and teeming with people
of all kinds living in harmony and peace, a city with free ports
that hummed with commerce and creativity, and if there had to
be city walls, the walls had doors and the doors were open to
anyone with the will and the heart to get here. That's how I saw
it and see it still....”
In 1996, President Bill Clinton declared that:..."America remains the
indispensable nation" and that "there are times when America,
and only America, can make a difference between war and
peace, between freedom and repression"...
I believe this is the time for America to make this decision and ratify and
pass the Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention Act as well as the Youth
19. [Just as it takes acts of war to make war, it takes acts of peace to make peace – Andrew Benson Greene]
Act, and it will as the Peace Alliance puts it, will “fundamentally change the
course of our nation and world and fostering international peace”
Andrew Benson Greene
Jeanne Sauvé Scholar, McGill University.
http://www.sierraexpressmedia.com/?p=31752
http://jeannesauve.org/scholar/andrew-greene/
http://bgiftedsl.tumblr.com/
www.b-gifted.org
https://www.blogger.com/profile/04581646920599487850