the propeace community - Planning for Propeace Theme Month - Comments

Re: Planning for Propeace Theme Month

Paraki — Sun, 04 Jun 2006 03:49:09 -0400

[I would appreciate hearing any thoughts you all have on this basic outline. What do you think of the timeframe? What do you think of the goal? What is the best way to build this widespread initiative?]

The best way to build this widespread initiative is to involve the World Community Grid in the project. This will allow messages to reach every desktop PC in the world that is connected to the Internet. This will be somewhat similar to a project in Health Informatics that is currently being discussed. See http://www.ontologystream.com/beads/healthInformatics/home.htm for details.

Propeace Community Month

Susan Livingston — Sun, 28 May 2006 17:28:34 -0400

That's my nomination for a title. Or if we want to be REALLY ambitious, how about "Propeace World Community Month." I long to see the word "propeace" accepted into the language as a "real" word, and this would be one way to promote that idea.

I very much appreciate using September 21st to initiate the "month" and that's what inspires me to add the word "world" to the title since that's an international peace day. I like the fact that it's at the other end of the year from the Season of Nonviolence. I'd like to see more of a tapering at the end, though, where all of the information, presentations, strategizing, grand-standing, demonstrating, etc. comes to an end and the last week before the elections is given over to more contemplative, meditative kinds of processing activities (peace within?) in stark contrast to the escalating spiral that characterizes the politically-oriented campaigns.

Gaining the cooperation of our various communities and seeing ourselves as a steering committee seems like an appropriate strategy given the enormous scope of what we're trying to do. For example, there's that Week Without Violence from October 16th to October 22nd sponsored (at least in my area) by the YWCA and FOR. The focus here is on peace education. Check out the Canadian YWCA website for details. So people who are able to participate during that week could contact those organizations.

One week before that is Columbus Day. Wouldn't it be cool if the Native American peace activists could pre-empt that holiday by having some sort of welcoming ritual for our current wave of immigrants? And if peace begins at home, perhaps that last week of September might highlight the excellent work of some of the "safe-house" operations that help women and children escape from abusive situations as well as the work of community anger management programs. And then wouldn't the first week of October be an excellent time to try out the recently-released recommendations of The Peace Alliance task force on police/military/security relations within communities? And then maybe that last week of October could highlight the work of some of the NGO's and faith-based groups that have been working all along to bring peace to humanity.

And throughout the time, as they become available, I'd like to see music festivals featuring socially-conscious material, documentary and biographical films and plays featuring the great peacemakers or peacemaking efforts of our time, media features that encourage people to replace their ethnic, racial, religious, generational, or other demographic mistrust with curiosity - at least temporarily.

If we use our own name - Propeace Community - as part of the title or unifying theme, then this very website could be the information clearinghouse and coordinating energy behind all these related events. Can we do this? I don't know, but I'd sure like to give it a try!

Editor, propeace.net

yes, yes, and YES!

stereoman — Sun, 28 May 2006 16:28:00 -0400

I really favor "Dare to Make Peace Month". None of the others give me an equal feeling of action, of courage, creativity, challenge!

Great idea to make it run for seven weeks. We can start promoting it NOW. We all have our circles, outside of this one, and a good idea can spread fast on the internet. I'd like to see this a major theme in the elections.

All of the activities you mention are worthwhile any time of year, but might be especially welcome during a time set aside to recognize the value of peacemaking. In addition to those you mention, let us not forget about raising awareness about the US Department of Peace.

For now, let's just set about spreading the word and see how different people may be led to respond to it. I suggest we collaborate on a press release and a public service announcement, and generate some basic talking points that will keep a diverse effort "on message". As time goes by we can decide whether or what greater role to play.

Steve

=========

Our lives begin to end the moment that we become silent about things that matter. (Martin Luther King Jr.)

Planning for Propeace Theme Month

Jason White — Sun, 28 May 2006 08:32:21 -0400

I want to try to create a Propeace Theme Month much like we have Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Black History Month and many others. I think the best time for this theme month is in October, which would follow the International Day of Peace and would precede the general elections in the United States. In fact, I'm thinking we should make the "month" 49 days long, which would be exactly 7 weeks. Then we could kick off on September 21st with the International Day of Peace and end on November 8th, which would always be after the US election held on the first Tuesday of November. What do you all think of that? Several of you had suggestions about what Propeace Theme Month should be named. Here are all the suggestions. If there are others, please send them to me (jason at propeace dot net) or post them as a comment. I will set up a poll within the next few weeks to allow site visitors to rank these suggestions.

Conflict Transformation Month
Courage to Love One Another Month
Dare to Make Peace Month
The Golden Rule Month
Month of Nonviolence
Nonviolent Courage Month
Peace with Courage Month
Peacemakers Month
Peace Realization Month
Pioneer Peace Month

The goal of Propeace Theme Month would be to raise public awareness of peacemaking and conflict resolution history, activities, techniques and case studies of successful use. It would include presentations, workshops, educational programs in schools, demonstrations of peacemaking techniques, and recognition of individuals and organizations involved in peacemaking. Obviously this is a massive undertaking, and my hope is that people will pick up on the idea, recognize its value and devote a little bit of time to being part of this Month in whatever capacity. It needs to "go viral" in order to work. I would appreciate hearing any thoughts you all have on this basic outline. What do you think of the timeframe? What do you think of the goal? What is the best way to build this widespread initiative?