World March for Peace and NonViolence

Information

The World March will begin in New Zealand on October 2, 2009. It will conclude in the Andes Mountains (Aconcagua, Argentina) on January 2, 2010. A permanent base of a hundred people of different nationalities will complete the journey.

Website: http://theworldmarch.org
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Latest Activity: Oct 11, 2016

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The World March

The World March will begin in New Zealand on October 2, 2009, the anniversary of Gandhi’s birth, declared the “International Day of Non-Violence” by the United Nations. It will conclude in the Andes Mountains (Punta de Vacas, Aconcagua, Argentina) on January 2, 2010. The March will last 90 days, three long months of travel. It will pass through all climates and seasons, from the hot summer of the tropics and the deserts, to the winter of Siberia. The stages will be the longest American and Asian, both almost a month. A permanent base of a hundred people of different nationalities will complete the journey.

Why?

Because we can end world hunger with 10% of what is spent on arms. Imagine how life would be if 30-50% of the arms budget went toward improving people’s lives instead of being used for destruction.

Because eliminating wars and violence means leaving human pre-history behind and taking a giant step forward in the evolution of our species..

Because we are accompanied by the voices of so many war-torn generations that came before us. The echo of their voices still resounds throughout the world, wherever armed conflict leaves its sinister memorial to the dead, disappeared, disabled and displaced.

Because a “world without wars” is an image that opens the future and seeks to become reality in every corner of the planet, as violence gives way to dialog.

The moment has come for the voiceless to be heard! Out of agonizing and urgent need, millions of human beings are crying out for an end to wars and violence.

We can make that happen by uniting all the forces of pacifism and active non-violence worldwide.

When?

The World March will begin in New Zealand on October 2, 2009, the anniversary of Gandhi’s birth, declared the “International Day of Non-Violence” by the United Nations. It will conclude in the Andes Mountains (Punta de Vacas, Aconcagua, Argentina) on January 2, 2010.

The March will last 90 days, three long months of travel. It will pass through all climates and seasons, from the hot summer of the tropics and the deserts, to the winter of Siberia.

Who is participating?

The March was initiated by “World Without Wars,” an international organization that has been working for 15 years in the fields of pacifism and non-violence.

The World March, however, will be created and shaped by everyone. Open to any person, organization, collective, group, political party, business, etc., that shares the same aspirations and sensibility, this project is not something closed. Instead, it is a journey that will be progressively enriched as different initiatives set their contributions in motion.

That is why this is an invitation to anyone and everyone to participate freely. So that wherever the March goes, the local people can contribute their creativity in a great convergence of multiple activities.

There’s space for everything the imagination is capable of conceiving.

The possible channels of participation are multiple and diverse, including virtual participation in the March through Internet.
This is a march by and for the people, with hopes of reaching most of the world’s population. For this reason we are asking all media to spread the word about this journey around the world for Peace and Non-violence.

What is going to happen?

In every city the March visits, local individuals and groups will organize forums, meetings, festivals, conferences, and events (sports, cultural, social, musical, artistic, educational, etc., depending on their own creative initiative.

At this time hundreds of projects have already been set in motion by different individuals and organizations.

What are our goals?

To denounce the dangerous world situation that is leading us closer and closer to nuclear war, which would be the greatest catastrophe in human history – a dead end.

To give a voice to the majority of world citizens who want peace. Although the majority of the human race opposes the arms race, we are not sending out a unified signal. Instead we are letting ourselves be manipulated by a powerful minority and suffering the consequences. The time has come to stand together and show our opposition. Join a multitude of others in sending a clear signal, and your voice will have to be heard!

To achieve the eradication of nuclear weapons; the progressive and proportional reduction of non-nuclear arms; the signing of non-aggression treaties among nations; and the renunciation by governments of war as a way to resolve conflicts.

To expose the many other forms of violence (economic, racial, sexual, religious…) that are currently hidden or disguised by their perpetrators; and to provide a way for all who suffer such violence to be heard.

To create global awareness - as has already happened with environmental issues - of the urgent need to condemn of all forms of violence and bring about real Peace.

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Comment by Silvia on February 9, 2009 at 7:18pm: Dear Friends

This is a letter anybody can send to friends or any people who may be interested in Peace. If you sign it and send it around you can communicate to this IPeace Forum the endorsements you receive back and proposed initiatives, in order to put people in touch with the Promotion Teams of the World March in thier own countries. This is a model of letter, you may of course change it to your liking

"I would like to invite you to endorse and participate in the biggest Peace event in the history of humanity (100 countries are already participating and others add themselves as we speak) and to contribute to the Peace Process in the Israel-Palestine conflict.

The World March will begin in New Zealand on October 2, 2009, the anniversary of Gandhi's birth, declared the "International Day of Non-Violence" by the United Nations. It will conclude in the Andes Mountains (Punta de Vacas, Aconcagua, Argentina) on January 2, 2010. These 3 months are also the last in Unesco's Decade for a Culture of Peace.

In every city the March visits, local individuals and groups will organize forums, meetings, festivals, conferences, and events (sports, cultural, social, musical, artistic, educational, etc.), depending on their own creative initiative.

At this time hundreds of projects have already been set in motion by different individuals and organizations.You may see important endorsements by the Dalai Lama, the President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, Noam Chomsky, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Federico Mayor Zaragoza (director of UNESCO for 12 years, now Director of Culture of Peace), the singer Noa from Israel, the Holy Land Trust from Palestine, Adolfo Perez Esquivel, Peace Nobel Prize and many more on www.worldmarch.info.

The objectives are: To achieve the eradication of nuclear weapons; the progressive and proportional reduction of non-nuclear arms; the signing of non-aggression treaties among nations; and the renunciation by governments of war as a way to resolve conflicts.

Also, to expose the many other forms of violence (economic, racial, sexual, religious, all types of violations of human rightas, etc…) that are currently hidden or disguised by their perpetrators; and to provide a way for all who suffer such violence to be heard.

Your endorsement does not commit you to any particular action, your support is important per se, but if you wish to participate actively we would be delighted to discuss what would be the best initiatives with you.
We await your response

Warmest Greetings

Comment by Clicia Pavan on February 9, 2009 at 4:03pm: Sincere Friendship Clicia Pavan

The smile is a sincere joy of sharing
the best moments with friends

Words that do not sound superficial
because
leaving the heart of the soul
The essence that nurture the
joy of the heart
who loves with sincerity

The silence of listening
Try to learn with humility and wisdom
without criticism or charges

The friend with the tears that we shed
Without feeling humiliated or neglected

That look forward free of truths, true
We know the small slide forgive

It is good to have a sincere friend
What your heart see further than your eyes

See with your heart to be just friends
And together go in search of peace and a better world

Comment by Eleni on February 8, 2009 at 2:12am: Hi everyone, this is the copy of a petition you will find bellow:

A quarter of a million civilians are caught in the deadly final battles of Sri Lanka's civil war. I've just written to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, urging the U.S. to pressure Sri Lanka's government and rebel groups to ensure the safety of the civilians. Sending a message is very easy to do, and can help to save lives -- the U.S. State Department has agreed to brief Secretary Clinton about the messages sent in. Please join me in clicking this link:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/sri_lanka_civilians/tf.php?CLICK_TF_TRACK

Comment by Eleni on February 6, 2009 at 11:43pm: Hello Scott and Silvia,

Many thanks for your answers. Scott I am brazilian but here I needed to write in English. Oh, I did not have the website written in Portuguese as you informed me. And I discovered there will be a meeting tomorrow very close to my home here in Sao Paulo City. I will be get all informations personally. When I wrote to a Brazilian responsible I only asked him if an animal rights defense would be allowed to participate. I didn't apply for adherence at that moment. Well, so good I will get all the informations. I was sure I would get a good answer.
Namaste!

Comment by Maria Ester Lezaeta on February 6, 2009 at 11:19pm: The Dalai Lama and President of Chile Michelle Bachellet have recently endorsed the World March!!!!

Comment by Scott on February 6, 2009 at 2:40am: Hello Eleni,
World March Brazil Website..
http://marchamundial.org.br/
I assume your communicating in portugese or Spanish. This is best.
Send your info regarding adherence to the link on the website. Give them a couple of weeks to return to you - the co-ordinators are unbelievably busy right now..
Let me know if you have done this, and if you have already, re send the letter etc & let me know - I can chase up fron the international co-ord side for you..
The World March in Brazil is already huge - dont panic - you wont miss it!
Cheers & with peace
Scott

Comment by Silvia on February 6, 2009 at 2:23am: Hi Eleni
Everybody can participate in the World March for Peace and Non violence by proposing an initiative (an action with a person who is responsible for the communication with the Promotion Team of the country, a time table, venue(s) and endorsement of the objectives of the March. The activity has to be completely non violent. Did you have a look at the website? www.marchamundial.org, you can register your organisation there
SIlvia

Comment by Eleni on February 6, 2009 at 12:09am: Hi Monica and all members here,

I am a member of an animal rights group based in Brazil. Our goal is the total abolition of animal exploitation through educational means.

I have already tried to contact the Brazilian responsible but I had no answer.

Please anyone can tell me if my group can be part of this march? We believe that bringing awareness and education to the public plays a major role in causing an effective change in the way nonhuman animals are seen in our society.

Human beings and non-human beings are very connected. Protecting them we will be helping ourselves. The text bellow is part of the original petition to United Nations Secretary-General:

It is not acceptable that even in a grim situation with hunger and malnutrition killing nearly six million children each year, huge percentages of available crops are still being fed to farm animals.

In the name of humanity, a responsible global community can no longer afford to invest 7-16 kg of grain or soya beans, up to 15,500 liters of water, and 323 m2 of grazing land in the production of just one kilo of beef for those with the means to pay for it. More accessible and sustainable avenues to secure food for all are desperately needed.
You can sign this petition on:
http://un.evana.org/index.php?lang=en

Please I need information and I haven't had any answer. I am trying to get some here. First I need to know if we can participate and the conditions for it.

Looking forward for any answer,
Eleni

Comment by Scott on February 5, 2009 at 1:57am: The discussion board has been cleaned out, to avoid confusing newcomers to the World March group regarding support of other causes..
With Peace
Scott