A More Peaceful World

PEACE MANIFESTO

1. Peace is a state of being where violence – physical, social or psychological – is absent, contentment and well-being is present, and humanity is working in harmony with the processes of the physical and biological processes of our planet
   
2. A more peaceful world benefits humanity at every level: financially, economically, socially, ecologically and in health terms , and therefore involves change at every level: within our minds, our family, community, society, workplace, national politics and internationally
   
   
3. Perfect peace is a state to be aimed at as a goal and principle, but a more peaceful world should be the objective of all humans at all times
   
   
   
4. Disagreements and tensions are an inevitable occurrence in human interactions, but can best be solved by good communication 
   
   
5. Peace is to be seen as the normal condition of humanity, and war is to be seen as an abnormal or pathological condition
   
   
6. In order to reduce the frequency and intensity of wars, it is necessary to understand both the general and specific causes of wars and conflicts
   
   
7. The general causation of wars are things like power, territoriality, resources, injustice, resentment, misunderstanding and “Otherness” – the extreme perception of differences
   
   
8. These general causes are expressed in causation of specific contemporary wars mainly as:
   a) religion
   b) dictators
   c) militias, gangs or warlords 
   d) ethnic distinctions 
   e) separatist ambition
   f) foreign interference
   g) resources
   
   
9. most of the causes listed above may be addressed in the UN by identifying and addressing the beginnings of the processes that lead on towards outbreaks of war
   
   
10. The military industrial complex is an important driver of war. Corporations must be regulated, and expenditure on arms must be reduced progressively through international agreement
    
    
11. Nuclear deterrence is not infallible, a global nuclear war would bring about the end of civilisation, therefore nuclear weapons must be eliminated globally
    
    
12. Climate change is an important emerging cause of future wars, through creating greatly increased migration and competition for territory, so national leaders must become serious about addressing climate change
    
    
13. Economic inequality must be reversed as it leads to injustice, which is an important cause of conflict