MEMBERS AREA

Building For Peace

Published on: 13 April 2023Category: Member Area
Registrations are now open for our ANZAC weekend workshop Building for Peace. Through this workshop, being held both in person and online, participants will be able to learn about some of the current challenges to peace, explore peaceful alternatives and – most importantly – take action!

As Australia positions itself for future conflicts, many of us feel outraged and helpless. But this need not be so. The right language, tools and actions can empower us, get our leaders to listen and bring about change. Our day of learning and action will equip you with some of those tools.

On the ANZAC weekend as we remember those who were killed in service of this country, Raising Peace invites you to join us in person and on-line, featuring the following events:

  • Speakers and small group discussions
  • Practicing non-violent communication
  • Taking action for peace

Our speakers include:

  • Dr Keith Suter with an overview of Australia’s geopolitical context
  • Prof Wanning Sun on challenging the media narrative
  • First Nations panellists on the Voice, Treaty and Makarrata.

Our festival will be both in person and online. Registrations are essential for both.

  • Online participation: via Zoom
  • In person: Quakers Meeting House, 119 Devonshire St, Surry Hills, Sydney. Close to Central Station.
Register Now – all sessions are free

WAR or PEACE

Published on: 14 March 2023Category: Member Area

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Dear friends

As 2023 begins, there has been a lot of drum-beating recently about the supposed inevitability of a war with China. But this is not the only perspective on the present situation! Raising Peace members the Marrickville Peace Group and Independent and Peaceful Australia Network are hosting an event at Marrickville Town Hall (and on live stream) this Sunday: 

Can war be avoided or will our peace be shattered?

Hosted by Mary Kostakidis, the forum will feature a diverse and distinguished panel: Prof Bob Carr, Senator David Shoebridge, Dr Alison Broinowski and from the US, Col. Lawrence Wilkerson.

Sunday 19 March, 4.30 PM, Marrickville Town Hall

Come in person or watch online at the Marrickville Peace Group’s Facebook page.

Raising Peace will also share a recording of the event on our website. 

We meet on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. In 2003, before the War in Iraq began, millions of people marched in protest. Despite this, the invasion went ahead, because of lies told by the two chief war protagonists: the USA and the UK. Those lies destroyed trust in political leadership and redefine the meaning of citizen responsibility. 

Lies succeeded in dragging us into the Iraq invasion. Is that pattern being repeated? Are we being led into a new war (against China) by new lies? 

Since 2003, a continual process of military expansion, preparing the nation for war, has taken place. Respected defence strategist, Hugh White, has suggested that Australia is sleepwalking into a war with China. 

As citizens, we, the people, need to wake up and act! Political leadership must be challenged. It is our responsibility is to ensure that war is avoided. 

War creates terrible suffering, the loss of countless lives, the waste of untold resources. International co-operation, so urgently needed in the face of the climate crisis, becomes impossible. The costs of war are far too high, while the benefits of PEACE are immeasurable. 

It is up to us to steer the nation in the direction of peace! 

During March 2023 three reports to parliament, of vital concern, will be released: 

The Defence Strategic Review, 
The Report on War Powers Reform, and 
The Report of the Submarine Task Force and AUKUS agreement (due 18 months after September, 2021). 

We have a collective responsibility, a duty, even, to counter the lies. We must get Australia off the path that leads to war. This is a job for every body!

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