UK General Election 2017 – peace concerns

Our society and our planet need politics that will enable people to live sustainably, with respect for differences and diversity, promoting human rights for all. These are some of the foundations for peace. We offer these comments during the period leading up to 2017 general election, as pointers and prompts for conversations with candidates and others, and in considering how you might use your vote.

We have listed a number of links connected with each of the areas of concern, and the following might also be useful:
http://election.quaker.org.uk/
http://paxchristi.org.uk/2017/05/05/pointers-for-the-general-election/
http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/23939
http://www.jointpublicissues.org.uk/faithinpolitics/

and a survey of peace-movement and related election-focussed material from Peace News – https://www.peacenews.info/node/8710/snap

(download this text as a PDF )
—-
Building bridges
Support needs to be given to initiatives that promote dialogue, bridge-building and mutual understanding, as the basis for peace at the local level. Whatever direction taken in Brexit negotiations and a possible further Scottish independence referendum, priority should be given to recognising our common humanity, building peace and good relations across borders.
Some related websites
http://hopenothate.org.uk/
https://www.interfaith.org.uk/
http://www.interfaithscotland.org/
http://www.qcea.org/
—-

Shared security
The UK’s security should be based on an understanding of the economic, environmental and political causes of insecurity and of structural violence. We need policies that address these issues as the basis for building a common, shared security. Our economy should be based on principles of fairness to all and care for the planet.
Some related websites
https://rethinkingsecurity.org.uk/
https://sustainablesecurity.org/
http://www.allofusfirst.org
http://www.quaker.org.uk/resources/newsletters/earth-economy
—-

Peace in schools
Peace education and non-violent responses to conflict that promote respect and dialogue should be prioritised over military involvement in schools, and funded accordingly. Young people need to be supported and encouraged in becoming active and engaged citizens, understanding and respecting rights and responsibilities, for one another, themselves and for the planet.
Some related websites
https://quaker.org.uk/our-work/peace/peace-education
http://peace-education.org.uk/
http://www.peacemakers.org.uk/
https://www.quaker.org.uk/our-work/peace/challenging-militarism-1
—-

Disarmament priorities
Our country should make an active and constructive contribution to international efforts to ban nuclear weapons. Reversing the decision to build a successor weapons system to Trident will be an important step.
Policies need to encourage a transition to non-military production, such as renewable energy, particularly in those areas heavily dependent on arms manufacturing. We need to address the threat to global peace from the UK’s arms exports.
Some related websites
https://quaker.org.uk/our-work/peace/nuclear-disarmament
http://www.cnduk.org/
http://www.banthebomb.org/
http://uk.icanw.org/
http://nfpb.org.uk/NW_Ban_Feb_news
https://quaker.org.uk/our-work/peace/arms-trade
https://www.caat.org.uk/
http://www.sgr.org.uk/projects/arms-conversion-main-outputs
—-

Sanctuary
We would wish to see an asylum system that recognises the desperate situations (sometimes fuelled by UK-made weapons) from which people are fleeing and seeking sanctuary in the UK. It should provide an environment that is open, and based on principles of presumed innocence/justice and genuine need rather than of hostility and suspicion. We must put far more effort into finding fair and peaceful long term solutions to problems around the world.
Some related websites
https://cityofsanctuary.org/
https://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/
http://www.qarn.org.uk/
http://www.refugee-action.org.uk/

Item added to cart.
0 items - £0.00