Making peace

IssueDecember 2019 - January 2020
News by Barbara Echlin

At a meeting on 26 October, Bexhill and Hastings United Nations Association (UNA) explored the UN’s meaning of peace by working through the Preamble to the Charter of the United Nations.

Bruce Kent (Movement for the Abolition of War) discussed how ‘We the peoples’ can actually ‘save succeeding generations from the scourge of war’.

Chris Coverdale (Make War History) suggested ways to end Britain’s perpetual involvement in war, including persuading taxpayers to obey the law and stop paying taxes for war.

Barbara Rogers (UNA-B&H) discussed reproductive healthcare and population in relation to the security of people.

Barbara Echlin (Green Christian) argued that we have three basic needs: food, water and shelter, which depend on natural ecosystems working, and which can’t be solved while increasing the arms budget.

The meeting came up with ideas for a more peaceful world:

  • The UNA to link closely with Quakers in challenging militarism in schools.
  • The local UNA group to liaise with the British Legion to add white poppies to their remembrance wreath.
  • The One World Week theme 2019 was ‘Climate Changes Everything’ – encourage more individuals and groups to plant trees.
Topics: Activism