topten

THE HUMAN RIGHT TO PEACE by Douglas Roche -

This books is "Everything You Wanted To Know About Building Peace". It describes the current Culture of War, the coming Culture of Peace, and Changing Our Attitude to make the changes necessary. Most important, the book is written by a highly respected Senator of the Government of Canada and it pulls no punches. 5 Star Must Reading. Click on the link to The Human Right to Peace to read an excellent, detailed summary and ordering information.

Servant Leadership: A Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness by Robert K. Greenleaf. We (locally, nationally and globally) have a leadership crisis, which profoundly affects peace (in fact, it is the single most important factor - see http://www.peace.ca/leadersandviolence.htm ). This book puts Leadership into perspective, as to what we should expect and do. It epitomizes the quote: "He profits most who serves best." Robert Greenleaf (1904 - 1990) spent most of his life in the field of management, research, development and education. He distilled his observations in a series of essays, books and videotapes on the theme of The Servant as Leader -- the objective of which is to stimulate thought and action for building a better, more caring society. The Robert K. Greenleaf Center for Servant-Leadership continues Robert's good work. Robert makes a compelling argument that the leaders we choose, and that we choose to be, should be servant leaders. Click on the link to http://www.peace.ca/servantleadership.htm to read an excellent, detailed summary and ordering information.

Being Peace, by Thich Nhat Hanh. Paperback: 118 pages, Publisher: Parallax Press (September 9, 2005), ISBN: 0938077007. In order to achieve peace, we must be peace. This simple truth is the theme of this inspiring collection of lectures, given by Buddhist monk, scholar, poet and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh. If we are to change the world, he explains, we need to begin with ourselves, and awaken that eternal part of us where true peace resides - our own Buddha nature. His lucid explanations make us realise how easy this awakening can actually be... and how powerful. For, with inner peace as the guide and criterion for all our actions, we transform our way of living into one genuinely capable of bringing lasting peace into a troubled world. The book also helps us with some basic understanding of Buddhism and meditation. Click on this link for a summary of the highlights of the book. 5 Star, Must Reading.

Roots of Violence in the U.S. Culture: A Diagnosis Towards Healing - Author Alain Richard, Blue Dolphin Publishing, 1999; 156 pages; paperback; US$14.95; ISBN: 1-57733-043-9. Click on this link for a summary of the highlights of the book. 5 Star, Must Reading. Roots of Violence exposes the origins and current causes of the underlying, explosive rage pervasive in our culture today, and being exported by the U.S. to the rest of the world. Understanding this is the first step toward healing our society.

Psychology for Peace Activists by David Adams, Printed by Advocate Press, New Haven CT, 1987. 37(+) pages. Introduction by David Adams: I believe that history is made by people like you and me. That means that "peace is in our hands", which was the slogan of the International Year for the Culture of Peace (2000). To learn how this could be possible, I undertook the study presented here in Psychology for Peace Activists which examines the lives of great peace activists, based primarily on their own autobiographies. Being American, I chose to study activists from American history. This was later expanded to include the important example of Nelson Mandela from South Africa. From this, I draw the conclusion that while the task is difficult, it is also possible, and we have much to learn from those who have gone before us. For this reason, I have sometimes given this little book the sub-title of "A New Psychology for the Generation Who Can Abolish War." Available online at http://www.culture-of-peace.info/ppa/title-page.html

Getting to Peace : Turning Conflict into Cooperation at Home, Work & in the World by William Ury. 5-Star Must Reading. Format: Hardcover, 256 pages. ISBN: 0670887587. Publisher: Viking Press. Pub. date: September 1999. Reviews Book Description A millennium manifesto for achieving peace at home, at work, in the community, and in the world from the co-author of the bestselling Getting to YES. Almost twenty years ago, Getting to YES revolutionized the way we think about negotiation. Now, on the verge of the millennium, bestselling author William Ury tackles the most critical challenge facing all of us: getting to peace. In our rapidly-changing workplaces, stressed-out families, and violent world, we need cooperation more than ever and yet everywhere destructive conflict poisons our relationships and our communities. How can we learn to deal with our differences without going to war? Is it humanly possible? In Getting to Peace, Ury challenges the fatalism that is so fashionable. Using new archeological and anthropological evidence, he overturns old myths about human nature and offers a new and hopeful story about human conflict. He suggests a powerful new approach for turning conflict into cooperation which he calls the "Third Side." For in every dispute, there are not just two sides, but a silent third side that can help bring about agreement. By discovering the ten roles of the third side, each of us can act as teachers, healers, and mediators to achieve fair and non-violent conflict resolution. Our happiness at home, our productivity at work, and our very lives depend on Getting to Peace. "Bill Ury has a remarkable ability to get to the heart of a dispute and find simple but innovative ways to resolve it."--President Jimmy Carter. About the Author William L. Ury is one of the world's leading negotiation specialists. Co-founder of Harvard's Program on Negotiation, he has mediated situations ranging from corporate mergers to wild cat strikes in a Kentucky coalmine, and from family feuds to ethnic wars in Russia and the former Yugoslavia. His books Getting to YES (Penguin) (with Roger Fisher) and Getting Past No have together sold more than four million copies. Ury and his work have been featured in The New York Times, Newsweek and on ABC's Good Morning America. He received his BA from Yale and Ph.D. from Harvard in social anthropology. See a more detailed review, and link to Amazon.com for ordering, at http://www.historyplace.com/pointsofview/ury.htm

"Peace Within Our Grasp" By Crandall R. Kline, Jr. Finally, this book is available to order in quantities, in paperback, 300 total pages. Order from peacedefense@att.net , for $12 including postage. The book will be mailed to you and you can pay by check when you receive it. "Peace Within Our Grasp" is a comprehensive book that covers all (?) aspects of war prevention. It is recommended for students because it is so comprehensive. The Honorable John Seiberling, former Member of Congress and former Director, Center for Peace Studies wrote, "'Peace Within Our Grasp' does an excellent job of listing the elements that are needed for a peaceful world, both in moral thinking and in our political system. It correctly calls for nonviolent efforts to be exhausted before resorting to violence. It shows how built-in emotions can harmfully influence our decision making, and why some people are so easily persuaded to violence. I recommend this book for all students of peace." Does our present moral system -- our conventional wisdom, such as the Ten Commandments, the Golden Rule, and Just War Rules provide the right guidance for preventing wars and living peacefully? Why was the United Nations ineffective in preventing the Korean War and the Gulf War? Why is it that an entire (?) nation, at times, think that genocide is desirable, such as the Germans in World War II, the Turks in World War I, the Serbs in Bosnia and Kosovo, the Hutus in Rwanda? Why is it that some Muslims embrace "killing for God" and subjugating women, such as the Taliban are doing, even though Islam forbids it? We have had wars for thousands of years, and they continue despite all efforts to stop them. Is this because some men have a built-in love of combat? If so, what steps do we need to take to prevent wars? "Peace Within Our Grasp" answers these questions in Chapters such as "Better Rules are the Solution", "Understanding Our Psychological Makeup", "Testosterone", "How the United Nations Should Be Revised", and "Sacreligion". Additional Chapters are "What is Truth?" "Changing Public's Opinion", "The Role of Editors and Reporters", "A New World Order", "Sovereignty's Limits", "Nonlethal Weapons", and "A Peace Hall of Fame". The book makes the point that men cannot be looked at as homogeneous; they need to be observed on a continuum, from pacifist to homicidal. We hope you will be inspired to order a copy. Volume purchases can be obtained at a 40% discount. Crandall R. Kline, Jr. BSME peacedefense@sbcglobal.net . A summary of the book is available at How to Achieve World Peace http://www.peace.ca/worldpeace.htm

PEOPLE BUILDING PEACE - 35 INSPIRING STORIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD - The world is facing many conflicts today. Especially the humanitarian crisis and the political deadlock in Kosovo are at the forefront of our attention. We can learn from the many mistakes made in Kosovo by attempting to ensure that meaningful conflict prevention strategies are identified and are actually pursued in other situations of latent conflict. One of the main messages of 'People Building Peace' is the urge to invest in preventative action in an early stage of conflict. Preventative action is not only necessary; this book also shows it is possible. 'People Building Peace' tells the stories of the valuable initiatives taken by citizens of many countries to prevent violence, to resolve conflict, and to reconcile parties that have been at war. It shows the important role 'multi-track' diplomacy can play in conflict prevention and resolution: Churches, women's organisations, the media and non-governmental organisations have all demonstrated their potential for building peace. The publication is intended to inspire people to invest in peace-building. It is written with a broad audience in mind: (non-)governmental organisations, governments, educators, media, and all people working for peace. With contributions of: FEDERICO MAYOR (Director-General UNESCO), PIERRE SCHORI (Minister for Development Affairs, Sweden), JOHN PAUL LEDERACH (Eastern Mennonite University), HIZKIAS ASSEFA (African Peace-building and Reconciliation Network), SEARCH FOR COMMON GROUND, THE INSTITUTE FOR MULTI-TRACK DIPLOMACY and many others. 'People Building Peace' is a publication of the European Centre for Conflict Prevention in co-operation with International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR) and the Coexistence Initiative of the State of the World Forum. For more information please contact: Paul van Tongeren, Executive director of the European Centre for Conflict Prevention, P.O. Box 14069, 3508 SC Utrecht, Netherlands. Tel: +31 (0)30 253 75 28; Fax: +31 (0)30 253 75 29. Email: euconflict@euconflict.org ; Web-site: http://www.euconflict.org

"On the Causes of War" by Dr. Michael Andregg, in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA, is posted at www.gzmn.org (in pdf format). 5 Star Must Reading. It won the National Peacewriting Award in 1999. You can also order a hard copy of the book at: Ground Zero Minnesota or email: gzmn@mtn.org ; P.O. Box 13127; Minneapolis, MN 55414; (651) 690-5357. Chapters include: The Essence of War and Peace; Interviews With People Who Have Studied War and Peace; Brief Review of Relevant Literature; Relationships Between Genocide and War; Review of Wars, Genocides and Flashpoints, 1990 - 1995; Causation is Complex: Ultimate versus Proximate Causes, and Triggering Events; Human Nature, Nurture, Free Will and War; Two Models: Earthquake, and Three Green Lights; If Present Trends Continue, the Probability of General War Will Peak Between 1997 and 2002, and How Such Estimates May Be Obtained; Select Causes: How They Work, and How to Solve Them; Competition for Resources, and Inequalities of Wealth Within and Between Nations; Competition for Power: International and Domestic Politics; Population Pressure; Authoritarian Law and Militant Religion; Corruption of Governance; Legalism; Justice, Injustice, and Lack of Effective International Conflict Resolution Systems; Nationalism and Militarism; Forces of Evil; Spies, Cults and Secret Power Systems; Weapons Companies, Military Bureaucracy, Propaganda and Warmongers; In vs. Out Groups: The Universal Double Standard of Justice; Ethnicity, Nepotism and Racism; Historical Grievances, Scapegoating, Demagoguery and "Parallel Realities"; Revenge; The Desire to Dominate, and Hubris; The Desire for Adventure, Honor and Enemies, or Why Many Men Love War; Greed, Hatred, Repression, Compulsion, Paranoia and Lesser Psychological Factors; Balances of Power, and Equilibria; The War on "Drugs" as a Model of Police-State Wars; How To Overcome War, and Survive; Governance Without Governments; Spirituality Without Churches; Being A Warrior in the Third Millennium; The Feminist Revolt and Masculinity; The Biology of Survival: Economic and Political Consequences; Freedom is Required; Justice is Desired; The Body as a Metaphor for Social Organization; A version of the Prisoner’s Dilemma Exercise useful for teachers; References

- "Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most", by the Harvard Negotiation Project. Some quotes: "Returning from several years in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II, I discovered that my roommate, two of my closest friends, and dozens of classmates had been killed in the war. Ever since, I have worked to improve the skills with which we deal with our differences; to improve the prospects for our children's future; and to enlist others in that cause." "What makes these situations so hard to face? It's our fear of the consequences -- whether we raise the issue or try to avoid it." "The dilemma ... Why is it so difficult to decide whether to avoid or to confront? Because at some level we know the truth - If we try to avoid the problem, we'll feel taken advantage of, our feelings will fester, we'll wonder why we don't stick up for ourselves, and we'll rob the other person of the opportunity to improve things. But if we confront the problem, things might get even worse. We may be rejected or attacked; we might hurt the other person in ways we didn't intend; and the relationship might suffer." "Delivering a difficult message is like throwing a hand grenade. Coated with sugar, thrown hard or soft, a hand grenade is still going to do damage. Try as you may, there's no way to throw a hand grenade with tact or to outrun its consequences. And keeping it to yourself is no better. Choosing not to deliver a difficult message is like hanging on to a hand grenade once you've pulled the pin. So we feel stuck. We need advice that is more powerful than "Be diplomatic" or "Try to stay positive". The problems run deeper than that; so must the answers." "... learning conversations ... people who have learned new approaches to dealing with their most challenging conversations report less anxiety and greater effectiveness in all of their conversations ... dealing constructively with tough topics and awkward situations strengthens a relationship." "At heart, the problem isn't in your actions, it's in your thinking." You can buy the book for $11.20 at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/014028852X/002-6059897-9091241?v=glance . To increase our chances of achieving a successful conversation we must have a good strategy. Here are some general tips from the above book:
1. having a purpose (what is the point and what does a good outcome look like?; three purposes that work: learning their story, expressing your views and feelings, and problem-solving together)
2. remember that we can not change or control other people (we can have influence, and engaging someone in a conversation where mutual learning is the goal often results in change)
3. letting go of past issues (grievances, losses) and working together from a basis of current commonalities, strengths and assets to build a better future
4. engaging in nonviolent communication (eg. do not "poke the other person in the eye" ;-); otherwise they get defensive and/or offensive (and blind to us ;-) (for information on compassionate communication, refer to http://www.bcncc.org/ )
5. realizing all parties to the conversation are not perfect (we all see the world differently, we all have powerful feelings, and we each have our own identity issues to work through; in short, we each have our own story, and our own picture of peace)
6. think like a mediator (identify the Third Side, or Third Story; the key is learning to describe the gap or difference between our stories, then working to try to close it, which may take movement by all parties)
7. turn it into a learning conversation: describe the problem in a way both sides can accept, propose mutual understanding and problem-solving as purposes, check with others to see if this makes sense, and invite others to join the conversation (make them your partner in figuring it out; those that do not wish to participate can opt-out). Provide some relevant background reading that might help open minds.
8. listen to understand; ask open-ended questions; ask for more information; respect others; create a safe environment for dialogue
9. think and strategize before you speak; don't cross-examine; don't blame; don't take away from the other person; paraphrase for clarity, to show that you heard, and check your understanding; acknowledge their feelings; empathize; speak from the heart, start with what matters most and say what you mean; don't exaggerate, generalize or stereotype; be humble (having humility does not mean allowing others to "walk all over you")
10. It is up to each of us to find our own truth (i.e. my truth is not necessarily your truth; you should not simply accept what I say: you have to do your own "homework")
11. identify the issues and problems from all perspectives; make the "trouble" explicit; find out where there is agreement and disagreement, and why; then begin to problem-solve: brainstorm with all affected parties, invent options, ask what standards should apply, consider alternatives
12. have patience: it takes time
13. rehearse the conversation in your mind before starting (have preparation notes; think things through)
14. appreciate the diversity of thoughts and ideas
15. sometimes we have to agree to disagree, with all due respect
16. thank the parties for their participation (it will take a lot of effort, and hopefully it is worthwhile)
I look forward to your thoughts and additional suggestions on this. I am most interested because peacebuilders and peace educators are always having a difficult conversation. I am hopeful that we can develop a model for peacebuilding to help us work through the various difficult conversations that must take place. Click here to see an excellent 19 page summary of the book. 5 Star Must Reading.

- Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan and Al Switzler. Format: Paperback, 256pp. ISBN: 0071401946. Publisher: McGraw-Hill Trade. Pub. Date: June 2002. Retail price US$16.95. If you liked the book "Difficult Converations", you will love "Crucial Conversations". 5-Star Recommended/Must Reading . A powerful, seven-step approach to handling difficult conversations with confidence and skill. "Crucial" conversations are interpersonal exchanges at work or at home that we dread having but know we cannot avoid. How do you say what needs to be said while avoiding an argument with a boss, child, or relationship partner? Crucial Conversations offers readers a proven seven-point strategy for achieving their goals in all those emotionally, psychologically, or legally charged situations that can arise in their professional and personal lives. Based on the authors' highly popular DialogueSmart training seminars, the techniques are geared toward getting people to lower their defenses, creating mutual respect and understanding, increasing emotional safety, and encouraging freedom of expression. Among other things, readers also learn about the four main factors that characterize crucial conversations, and they get a powerful six-minute mastery technique that prepares them to work through any high impact situation with confidence. Learn how to keep your cool and get what you want when emotions flare. When stakes are high, opinions vary, and emotions run strong, you have three choices: Avoid a crucial conversation and suffer the consequences; handle the conversation badly and suffer the consequences; or read Crucial Conversations and discover how to communicate best when it matters most. This wise and witty guide gives you the tools you need to step up to life's most difficult and important conversations, say what's on your mind, and achieve positive outcomes that will amaze you. You'll learn how to:

- Crucial Confrontations: Tools for Resolving Broken Promises, Violated Expectations, and Bad Behavior, by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan and Al Switzler. Format: Paperback, 272pp. ISBN: 0-07-144652-4. Publisher: McGraw-Hill Trade. Pub. Date: January 2005. Retail price US$16.95. This 5-Star Recommended/Must Reading builds on Difficult Conversations and Crucial Conversations. The difference - the hallmark of a crucial conversation is disagreement, while crucial confrontations are about disappointments. Confrontations comprise the very foundation of accountability. They all start with the question: "Why didn't you do what you were supposed to do?" And they only end when a solution is reached and both parties are motivated and able to comply. Confrontations are the prickly, complicated, and often frightening performance discussions that keep you up nights. We will need these skills for conducting the 8 Crucial Canadian Conversations. Click here to see 2 page Training Overview. here's the forward and 1st chapter in pdf. Click here to see an excellent 18 page summary of the book online. 5 star must read.

- Social Intelligence: The New Science of Success; Beyond IQ, Beyond EI, Applying Multiple Intelligence Theory to Human Interaction, by Karl Albrecht http://www.karlalbrecht.com . Format: Hardcover, 280pp. ISBN: 0787979384. October 2005. Jossey-Bass. When I developed the Draft Canadian Culture of Peace Program Marketing Strategy (ref. http://www.cultureofpeace.ca/CCOPPmarketingstrategy.htm ) , I suggested we use the concept of Social Intelligence (i.e. raising Social Intelligence/Social Development) as a path to Peace Education and a Culture of Peace – that it is more readily acceptable/ understandable by the general population. This book explains it much better than I, including the “How To”, hence I strongly recommend it. Karl Albrecht defines social intelligence (SI) as the ability to get along well with others while winning their cooperation. SI is a combination of sensitivity to the needs and interests of others, sometimes called your “ social radar, ” an attitude of generosity and consideration, and a set of practical skills for interacting successfully with people in any setting. "Social Intelligence provides a highly accessible and comprehensive model for describing, assessing, and developing social intelligence at a personal level. This book is filled with intriguing concepts, enlightening examples, stories, cases, situational strategies, and a self-assessment tool – all designed to help you learn to navigate social situations more successfully. The author takes you on a guided tour of the five dimensions of social intelligence (“S.P.A.C.E.”): 1. Situational Awareness – the ability to read situations and to interpret the behaviors of people in those situations; 2. Presence – Often called ‘bearing’, it’s a whole range of verbal and nonverbal behaviors that define you in the minds of others; 3. Authenticity – the behaviors that cause others to judge you as honest, open, and ‘real’; 4. Clarity – the ability to explain your ideas and articulate your views; 5. Empathy – the ability to ‘connect’ with others. You can get it (and read a descriptive summary) at Chapters book store online at http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/item.asp?Item=978078797938&Catalog=Books&Ntt=social+intelligence&N=35&Lang=en&Section=books&zxac=1 for $21.43 (which is 33% off the list price right now). 5 star must reading. Click here to read detailed highlights of the book.

- The Practice of Peace, by Harrison Owen. I wish to tell you about this because I see another convergence between the comments that the peacebuilding happens during the process of working on projects (for example), and using the Open Space conferencing in the process. Owen is the leader behind Open Space Technology. Open Space Technology or methodology of conferencing is very complimentary to what we have come around to thinking in terms of Servant Leadership style, non-hierarchical organizing, and the principles contained in the draft Charter (borrowed from the World Social Forum). I have come to believe (an "aha" moment) that essentially the Canadian Peace Initiative may be as simple as providing venues or "Open Spaces to Open Minds to Peace". (Another "reality check" -- It has been my personal view that I saw my contribution as simply providing venues where peace educators and peace builders could come together to dialogue, network, disseminate information, plan, etc. - in a sense, I/we have been doing Open Space for the past 3 years + without realizing it, through our conferences, my web site, our email listservers, etc.) What Harrison Owen is saying is, "do not worry about spending a lot of time organizing an agenda. Just provide an Open Space, have a general theme(s), invite people with a passion to come, the conference will organize itself based on what these passionate people really want to discuss". He confirms what I think many of our participants have said at the last National Peace Education Conference -- that our best time was in the personal chats outside the presentations. Harrison puts it much better than I. You can read (and I highly recommend it to you) the 146 page book on the Internet at Practice of Peace, Chapters 1,2 Practice of Peace, Chapters 2,4 Practice of Peace, Chapters 5,6, Practice of Peace, Chapters 7,8 , Practice of Peace, Chapters 9,10 . (the only thing is, the Internet version is missing about 4 pages - but it doesn't really matter). Alternatively, you can order your own copy from the Open Space Institute of Canada in Quebec , by printing an order form off the Internet at http://www.openspacecanada.org/books.htm and mailing it with a cheque (but it may take 3 weeks to turn around). Suggestion: do all your group work as a series of Open Space conferencing. In Owen's words, it will be self-organizing (which coincidentally takes a lot of stress off you). You may well think that I have gone a bit crazy with this Open Space stuff. However, I feel it is right for us, for what we have been working on, for the peace constituents, and for these times. Open Space has all the features of a Culture of Peace (eg. democratic participation, respect, listening to understand, etc.) Click on this link to read Highlights of the Book. http://www.peace.ca/openspace.htm

- Three very important books, provided courtesy of Dr. Shall Sinha with thanks, 'Hind Swaraj by Gandhi', 'The Kingdom of God Is Within You' by Tolstoy and Gandhi's version of Ruskin's book, 'Unto This Last' (the latter two had a profound effect in shaping Gandhi’s philosophy) are now available on the internet at the following addresses (5 Star Must Reading):
www.ssinha.com/HindSwaraj-Gandhi.doc
www.ssinha.com/TheKingdomOfGodIsWithinYou-Tolstoy.doc
www.ssinha.com/UntoThisLast-Gandhi.doc

Peace Is the Way: Bringing War and Violence to an End, By Deepak Chopra. ISBN 0-307-33981-5. Published by Three Rivers Press 2005. Chopra's latest work is prefaced by endorsements from four Nobel Peace Laureates, Muhammad Ali and an impressive array of other notables. Here, the Indian-born doctor and author of the bestselling The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success and other popular spiritual guides contends that the deeply ingrained human habit of resorting to violence can be ended by raising the consciousness of individuals until there is a global change in awareness, similar to the shift that took place when the age of science took hold. Chopra, whose bestsellers and celebrity-friendliness have saddled him with a reputation for being guru to the rich and comfortable, is refreshingly honest about the way our comfort and security are ultimately the fruits of war. "The satisfaction of waging war cannot be replaced by philosophy or religion," he writes. In addition to analysis, he offers daily practices of meditation, thought and actions on behalf of others as a way to live the truth of A.J. Muste's famous quote: "There is no way to peace. Peace is the way." Ultimately, however, the ego itself has to be disarmed to live the way of peace, he says: "For me as an individual to be free, I have to confront myself with questions about who I really am, and this is done in large part by examining the layers of false identity that I mistakenly call me." This is clearly harder to practice than it is to read. Still, Chopra's affirmation that "our true identity is at the level of spirit and nowhere else" has the ring of truth and so does the rest of this simple, practical, inspiring book. Click on this link to read Highlights of the Book.

Knockin' On Heaven's Door, a 3 minute (approx.) music video featuring Avril Lavigne, (which you can review online) prepared for War Child Canada http://www.warchild.ca/music.asp . Built around Bob Dylan's hit song, the video dramatically shows the affects of war on children with moving scenes and statistics. The numbers speak for themselves. In the past decade alone, two million children have died in war. Millions more have suffered. War Child Canada is taking measures to promote an end to this tragedy. Music artists across Canada are helping out. We couldn't do it without them. Music Artists are a vital part of our work. They help improve the lives of war-affected children by generating awareness and raising vital funds. Most importantly, they demonstrate how it is possible for each and every person to make a difference. We recommend that teachers and others use this video to initiate a discussion in the class (and elsewhere) on peace. It is a moving experience. You can view the video here and obtain the video by purchasing the Avril Lavigne CD/DVD combo entitled "My World" for approx. $15.00 from most music stores, or Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000DD788/104-9953816-4091132?v=glance

I am highly recommending that you go see Bowling For Columbine. Its a documentary film by Micheal Moore, who is an American activist. The film is a great demonstration of the attitudes and some of the causes of so much fear and death caused by guns in the US. I think you should see it and maybe mention it on your website. I think it is a film that everyone should see, although it is done tastefully some Americans of course may find it a little less amusing than us Canadians. There was an American girl who went to the movie with us and she didn't appreciate it quite as much as us Canadians...who of course were used as better examples of the US in terms of having a better living environment. Did you know that in Canada we have approx 165 deaths per year from guns, while Germany has 255, and Great Britain has only 39. The US has 11,124!!!! A good quote from the movie is that "if safety was measured in terms of numbers of guns, the US would be the safest country in the world, but that's not how it works". He also talks about stereotypes, racism, misconceptions/misinformation, fear and media's association with the problems of violence. As soon as you get the chance, go see it...it is getting rave reviews. Here is a site that tells you about the movie - http://www.bowlingforcolumbine.com/flash-01.php . Mike Moore's web site is at http://www.michaelmoore.com/ . Review courtesy of Robyn Stewart. Other comparably excellent videos by Michael Moore are: The Big One (about corporations without a conscience) and Roger and Me (also about corporations without a conscience). Michael also has a two DVD set containing approximately 12 weekly half Hour shows called "The Awful Truth", speaking to a variety of important issues including the Death Penalty. All 5-Star Must Viewing.

And of course Michael Moore's new movie, Fahrenheit 9/11. 5-Star Must Viewing. May now be the best peace education movie. What can I say -- see it, buy it (when available), show it, discuss it. One of the most controversial and provocative films of the year, Fahrenheit 9/11 is Academy Award-winning filmmaker Michael Moore's searing examination of the Bush administration's actions in the wake of the tragic events of 9/11. With his characteristic humor and dogged commitment to uncovering the facts, Moore considers the presidency of George W. Bush and where it has led us. He looks at how - and why - Bush and his inner circle avoided pursuing the Saudi connection to 9/11, despite the fact that 15 of the 19 hijackers were Saudis and Saudi money had funded Al Qaeda. Fahrenheit 9/11 shows us a nation kept in constant fear by FBI alerts and lulled into accepting a piece of legislation, the USA Patriot Act, that infringes on basic civil rights. It is in this atmosphere of confusion, suspicion and dread that the Bush Administration makes its headlong rush towards war in Iraq - and Fahrenheit 9/11 takes us inside that war to tell the stories we haven't heard, illustrating the awful human cost to U.S. soldiers and their families. See http://www.fahrenheit911.com and http://www.michaelmoore.com

The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power - One hundred and fifty years ago, the corporation was a relatively insignificant entity. Today, it is a vivid, dramatic and pervasive presence in all our lives. Like the Church, the Monarchy and the Communist Party in other times and places, the corporation is today’s dominant institution. But history humbles dominant institutions. All have been crushed, belittled or absorbed into some new order. The corporation is unlikely to be the first to defy history. In this complex and highly entertaining documentary, Mark Achbar, co-director of the influential and inventive MANUFACTURING CONSENT: NOAM CHOMSKY AND THE MEDIA, teams up with co-director Jennifer Abbott and writer Joel Bakan to examine the far-reaching repercussions of the corporation’s increasing preeminence. Based on Bakan’s book The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power, the film is a timely, critical inquiry that invites CEOs, whistle-blowers, brokers, gurus, spies, players, pawns and pundits on a graphic and engaging quest to reveal the 4corporation’s inner workings, curious history, controversial impacts and possible futures. Featuring illuminating interviews with Noam Chomsky, Michael Moore, Howard Zinn and many others, THE CORPORATION charts the spectacular rise of an institution aimed at achieving specific economic goals as it also recounts victories against this apparently invincible force. 5 Start Must Viewing. http://www.thecorporation.com/

The excellent weekly TV show "NOW" - Bill Moyers is the host of NOW with Bill Moyers, airing Friday nights at 9pm EST on PBS. (Check local listings at www.pbs.org/now/sched.html .) In particular, I highly recommend that you purchase the August 1, 2003 show http://www.shoppbs.org/product/index.jsp?productId=1413857&cp=1415060&page=6&doVSearch=no&clickid=lftnav_sbs_txt&pageBucket=0&parentPage=family available for $29.98, Is America spending hundreds of billions of dollars on the wrong weapons and for the wrong reasons? An insider gives viewers a look into America's massive defense machine and asks, is it really keeping us safe? Bill Moyers talks to 30 year Pentagon veteran Chuck Spinney, a man TIME magazine once labelled a "Pentagon Maverick," in his first television interview since retiring from the Pentagon. This expose of the military/industrial/congressional complex will "blow your mind"- every American should be aware. 5 Start Must Viewing.

The Power of Nightmares: The Rise of the Politics of Fear, BBC documentary video (2004). A series of three documentaries about the use of fear for political gain. Every day the governments and media reports of threats to global safety from an international terrorist network. But now, filmmaker Adam Curtis boldly asks should we be worried at all about these apparent threats? Could this be just a phantom menace constructed to keep society manipulated by fear? This is a highly intelligent, informative, sometimes humorous and superbly edited series of programmes that look at two types of dominant fundamentalist groups that exist in the Twenty First Century. On the one side we have the Neo-Conservatavists, mostly all white, affluent Christian men (believers in Creationism mostly), who Western society is obviously supposed to value highly compared to the dark, foreign 'others' that make up the 'terrorists' from 'un-civilised' lands. The programmes chart the historic roots of these two fundamentalist groups, and reveal that they both came about from a belief in the corrupt and morally unsound nature of Western society after the threat of the Cold War dissolved. The programmes look at the the War on Terror and Curtis clearly presents the way that 'Nightmares' about terrorism can coerce and manipulate the 'big beast' that is society. Through propaganda, the media becomes a tool where lies are peddled and fear is stoked up to tame and create (un)believable truths in the mind of the general populace. For example a clip from a news programme shows lies about Al Qaeda being a highly organised network with vast caves full of high tech computers and complex equipment. This has been shown as a complete fabrication among many supposed truths presented to the general public. The series is principally excellent in enlightening us with 'facts' but also the way in which music and editing is used to bring the message across. For example a plethora of clips from the film 'Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves' and the use of traditional American music with images of Al Qaeda. I found this to be a humorous and unique touch that really makes these programmes stand out. Overall what this film reasserted once again is that these Neo Conservativist terrorists are no better than un-organized or partly organised Islamic terrorists. George W Bush is a terrorist of the worst kind, who through repeating lies long enough and hard enough to his scared citizens can manipulate them into believing ,for example, that an unprovoked and illegal war is justified. This idea of good versus evil is a dominant myth within Western societies, and George W Bush et al know that through creating this 'other' evil and building it up continouously, whether it exists or not one can win people on your side. The prime example being his victory in the Presidential elections, a great many of the people interviewed said they would vote for Bush because he would keep U.S.A safe. Which is of course quite the opposite. (courtesy of online review). 5 Start Must Watching. See http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/3755686.stm and http://www.cbc.ca/passionateeye/powerofnightmares/index.html for background info. You can watch it on the Internet or download it and save to your computer to show others (it helps if you have high speed Internet access) at http://www.archive.org/details/ThePowerOfNightmares

Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984) - More relevant today in the world of Neo-conservatives, American Hegemony, the Patriot Act, prisoner torture in Afghanistan, Guantanamo and Abu Graib, Corporate controlled media and government, etc. 1984 is not a prediction of what the world will be like in 1984; it is, instead, a warning that unless the course in which the world drifts is changed, man will lose his most human attributes. I would recommend everyone to watch the excellent movie adaptation made in 1984, starring John Hurt and Richard Burton, which I think is one of the best book adaptations made for cinema. While it can't contain all the levels and issues presented in the original book, it adds images and voices and makes the reading of the book extremely realistic. http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0087803/ Then you "must read" the book, and the Coles Notes discussion. It's hard to describe what many consider the best book ever written. This masterpiece novel works on so many levels, that I guess every reader would find something else in it. It deals with the basic and most important issues in life, society, government, wars, religion, education, brain-wash, the place of the individual, the hardship of being alone (physically and mentally), the concept of holding two contradictious thoughts at the same time, the position of the individual in history, the nothingness of being human, love, family, loyalty and betrayal, the instinct of any animal in nature to survive, and so much, much more. The exaggerated ideals 1984 expresses, represents the oppression felt by many in the world that is gilded by a thought of true freedom. The story is very descriptive and allows the reader to feel the true emotions that the main character, Winston Smith is feeling. Orwell shows that in our world everything is deceptive to reality. Conformity is the main concern for the masses working for the elite and even the name Winston Smith is symbolic for this lack of individualistic qualities. This book shows the militaristic tactics used by the government of "Big Brother" to inspire people to work and keep an interest in the common good. Every four years the government of Oceania started a fake war with one of the other two super powers to maintain the work ethic and inspiration of the slaving people in the middle class. Winston represents all people who rebel against the system and know that the illusions presented by the government of aristocrats are wrong. He represents the middle class which work as tools of the elite and the proletarians are the people who the government leaves to their own ignorance. 1984 holds a great amount of symbolism and connects fiction with the real world. Read summaries and reviews at http://www.k-1.com/Orwell/index.cgi/work/summaries/1984.html . See the 2002 real version in London, England. And in the United States. See highlighted Quotes from 1984 and its analysis. - these highlights are well worth the read

"A Force More Powerful: A Century of Nonviolent Conflict" - It is six 30 minute segments showing how, during a century of extreme violence, millions chose to battle the forces of brutality and oppression with nonviolent weapons and won. Click on the link to read about a special free offer from the publishers

Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media. Part 1 Thought Control in a Democratic Society; Part 2 Activating Dissent. Highlighting Noam Chomsky's analysis of the media, Manufacturing Consent focuses on democratic societies where populations not disciplined by force are subjected to more subtle forms of ideological control. Shocking examples of media deception (including an expose on East Timor) permeate Chomsky's critique of the forces at work behind the daily news. Chomsky encourages his listeners to extricate themselves from this "web of deceit" by undertaking a course of "intellectual self-defence". Available from the National Film Board Order #C9192072; ISBN: 0-7720-464-0. For distribution telephone 514-844-3358. 'Must see' rating.

The Day After - "Apocalypse ... The End of the Familiar ... The Beginning of the End. The most powerful and controversial television event of our time. A potent drama -- probably the most controversial TV movie of its time. Lawrence, Kansas is the very center of the United States, a small town community of good people whose daily lives embody the same hopes, dreams and fears of us all. Then comes the day that the unthinkable happens: War is declared, and a full-scale exchange of nuclear missiles rains an atomic hell upon our very way of life. Devastation is global, with America reduced to a ravaged wasteland of sickness, violence and death. But for the survivors, this man-made apocalypse has only just begun. Humanity's true horror starts on 'The Day After'. The Day After is an astonishing glimpse into mankind's greatest nightmare and widely considered to be the most horrific depiction ever of nuclear holocaust. Jason Robards, John Lithgow, JoBeth Williams, Amy Madigan and Steve Guttenberg lead a remarkable cast in this Emmy Award winning television landmark that continues to be one of the most disturbing -- and important -- films of our time. The premiere of this TV movie was a major media event. No sponsors bought commercial time after the point in the movie where the nuclear war occurs, so the last half of the show was aired straight through, without commercials. ABC set up special 1-800 hotlines to calm people down during and after the original airing. Immediately after the film's original broadcast, it was followed by a special news program, featuring a live discussion between scientist Dr. Carl Sagan (who opposed the use of nuclear weapons) and Conservative writer William F. Buckley Jr. (who promoted the concept of "nuclear deterrence"). It was during this heated discussion, aired live on network television, where Dr. Sagan introduced the world to the concept of "nuclear winter" and made his famous analogy, equating the nuclear arms race with "two men standing waist deep in gasoline; one with three matches, the other with five". The Day After was watched by an estimated half the adult population, the largest audience for a made-for-TV movie to that time. To order: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085404/ ; review: http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/D/htmlD/dayafterth/dayafter.htm . Other films of this genre: Threads http://www.ibp-intl.demon.co.uk/nuke/threads.html ; The War Game http://www.bfi.org.uk/videocat/more/wargame/ available from www.Amazon.com

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