SENTIENT TIMES Dec/Jan 2002

US Department of Peace

On July 11, 2001 Congressman Kucinich introduced H.R. 2459, a bill to create a Cabinet-level Department of Peace which embodies a broad-based approach to peaceful, non-violent conflict resolution at both domestic and international levels. The Department of Peace would serve to promote non-violence as an organizing principle in our society, and help to create the conditions for a more peaceful world.

Domestically, the Department would be responsible for developing policies which address issues such as domestic violence, child abuse, and mistreatment of the elderly. Internationally, the Department would analyze foreign policy and make recommendations to the President on matters pertaining to national security, including the protection of human rights and the prevention and de-escalation of unarmed and armed international conflict.

Kucinich’s legislation to create a Department of Peace focuses on individual, group and national responsibilities of holding peace as an organizing principle. The Department of Peace will focus on nonmilitary peaceful conflict resolutions, prevent violence and promote justice and democratic principles to expand human rights. A Peace Academy, similar to the five military service academies, would be created; its graduates dispatched to troubled areas around the globe to promote nonviolent dispute resolutions. The Department would also have an Office of Peace Education that would work with educators in elementary, secondary and universities in the development and implementation of curricula to instruct students in peaceful conflict resolution skills.

“The time for peace is now,” Congressman Kucinich said. “At the dawn of a new millennium, there is no better time to review age old challenges with new thinking that peace is not only the absence of violence, but the presence of a higher evolution of human awareness with respect, trust and integrity toward humankind. Our founding fathers recognized that peace was one of the highest duties of the newly organized free and independent states. But too often, we have overlooked the long-term solution of peace for instant gratification of war. This continued downward spiral of violence must stop to ensure that future generations will live in peace and harmony. The challenges inherent in creating a Department of Peace are massive. But the alternatives are worse. Violence at home, in the schools, in the media, and between nations has dragged down humanity. It’s time to recognize that traditional, militant objectives for peace are not working, and the only solution is to make peace the goal of a cabinet level agency.”

What You Can Do To Help
• Hold “Teach-Ins” on the Issue of Peace. Holding a public “Teach-In” on the issue of peace and non-violence is a great way to get your community to debate the issues. You can do this by inviting a public official, religious leaders, educators, heads of organizations or local community leaders who have contributed to promoting peace and justice.

• Contact your state representatives, city council, mayor and ask them to sponsor a resolution that promotes peace and justice on the local, national and international levels.

• Write an opinion-editorial for your local paper and get it published, emphasizing the importance of local communities making efforts towards encouraging peace, tolerance and understanding.

• Join an organization that has a campaign on the issue of peace and work with them, or start your own organization.

• Circulate a petition to a local leader encourage them to keep the issue of peace and understanding on the local agenda.

• Organize a peace rally to bring the issue of peace to the forefront of local community leaders and elected officials.

• Organize a booth or a display case at local events. Your local library or community center are great places to set up an eye catching display about an issue that is important to you. Or you may want to reserve a booth at a highly attended event such as a concert, local sports event, rallies or community picnics.

SENTIENT TIMES
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