Network for Peace

With Nitasha Kaul. Nitasha Kaul is a Kashmiri novelist, academic, economist, and artist. Her first book was ‘Imagining Economics Otherwise’ (Routledge, 2007). Aside from publishing fiction and poetry she has also authored numerous articles on several themes including identity, economy, social theory and democracy. She is a Visiting Fellow in Politics and International Relations at Westminster, London.

With Dr. Stathis Kouvelakis. As the crisis in Greece develops, living standards are on a downward spiral, welfare and health services have virtually collapsed, and the European bail out demands greater austerity which will make the situation even more desperate. Is there a way out of this dark crisis? Dr. Stathis Kouvelakis researches and teaches on political theory at Kings College, London and is an informed commentator on the political and social meltdown that has taken place in Greece.

With Professor Abbas Edalat. A war on Iran is threatened by the US and its allies if current negotiations and sanctions fail. Professor Edalat discusses recent Iranian history and the myths propagated by western governments and mainstream media in particular concerning Iran's nuclear programme, which are intended to demonize Iran and prepare the public for military action. Professor Abbas Edalat is a professor of computer science and mathematics at Imperial College London and the founder of the Campaign Against Sanctions and Military Intervention in Iran (CASMII)

Speaker: Paul Nicolson of Zaccheus 2000 Trust on Taxpayers Against Poverty: the positive reasons for paying tax and information on current tax-related campaigns.

Plus opportunities to network with justice and peace activists from around the country and hear about events and campaigns from national agencies.

Lecture by Dr Stuart Parkinson, Executive Director, SGR
An event to mark the Global Day of Action on Military Spending:
http://demilitarize.org/
Organised by the Millichap Peace Fund.

Public meeting organised by Action For Palestinian Children in conjunction with Defence of the Child Palestine (DCI-P), the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and the National Union of Teachers.
The key speaker will be Gerard Horton from DCI-P who will report on the findings of their latest EU-funded DCI-P report into the arrest, detention and treatment of Palestinian children by the Israeli authorities.
Betty Hunter (Honorary President, PSC) and Kevin Courtney (DGS, NUT) will speak at the meeting which will be chaired by Geoffrey Bindman of Bindman's Solicitors.

This will be outside the ExCeL exhibition centre which is the chosen venue for another planned “DSEi” arms fair. More musicians and singers (all styles) are welcome to join us. You can also join in if you are not musical. We need people to collect a petition, hold up posters, give out leaflets etc. From Custom House DLR Station or Victoria Dock Road E.16. 3BY, just follow the signs to ExCeL. We will be at the end of the walkway just before you get to the entrance to the exhibition.

This will be outside the ExCeL exhibition centre which is the chosen venue for another planned “DSEi” arms fair. More musicians and singers (all styles) are welcome to join us. You can also join in if you are not musical. We need people to collect a petition, hold up posters, give out leaflets etc. From Custom House DLR Station or Victoria Dock Road E.16. 3BY, just follow the signs to ExCeL. We will be at the end of the walkway just before you get to the entrance to the exhibition.

Anyone who wants to help to get the arms fair cancelled will be welcome at a meeting of EAST LONDON AGAINST ARMS FAIRS.

More information and events on the following websites
www.elaaf.org www.stopthearmsfair.org.uk www.caat.org.uk

Aufheben presents: ‘The August Riots: realities and representations’
with guests from Bristol Radical History Group.

War Resisters’ International presents:
‘Antimilitarism: Political and Gender Dynamics of Peace Movements’
with Cynthia Cockburn.
Cynthia Cockburn’s new book ‘Antimilitarism: Political and Gender Dynamics of Peace Movements’ (Palgrave Macmillan 2012) presents original case studies of anti-war, anti-militarist and peace movements in Japan, South Korea, Spain, Uganda and the UK, of international networks against military conscription and the proliferation of guns, and of singular campaigns addressing aggression against Palestinians.

Stir to Action presents: ‘Radical Gardening: Politics, idealism and rebellion in the garden’ with George McKay.
George McKay is a leading British author on aspects of alternative culture through music, protest, lifestyle. He is Professor of Cultural Studies at the University of Salford. His books include Senseless Acts of Beauty: Cultures of Resistance since the Sixties, DiY Culture: Party & Protest in Nineties Britain and Glastonbury: A Very English Fair.

With Mat Callahan

Musician, author, and political activist, Mat Callahan, discusses the negative effects capitalism has on the way in which music is produced and consumed, and discusses the possibilities for abolishing copyrights.

After the AGM at 3.00 p.m. the talented photographer, Brijesh Patel, will give a lecture and answer questions on his latest project 'Salt/Land and People'. Brijesh Patel has retraced the path of Gandhi's historic Salt March of 1930 and produced a film relating the lives of people living on the route of the March to Gandhi's message over 80 years ago.
The event is free but donations will be welcome on the day.

The Gandhi Foundation Summer Gathering will be held at The Abbey, Sutton Courtenay, Abingdon, Oxfordshire from 28 July to 4 August. The theme this year is 'The Power of Nonviolence'. Fees for the week range from £140 with children half price.

On Easter Monday, Veterans for Peace will officially launch in the UK. Founded in the USA over 25 years ago Veterans for Peace are committed to resisting war through non-violent action.

Speaking at the event will be British and American veterans of WW2, Malaya, Vietnam, Northern Ireland, Iraq & Afghanistan.

The annual prayer vigil led by Penarth Christian Network of Campaign Against Arms Trade will take place on Maundy Thursday outside the BAe Systems factory at Glascoed (near Monkswood on the A472) from 1pm. All are welcome. Please bring flowers to lay at the perimeter fence.

With Diana Francis.
Diana Francis, a Quaker, is a former President of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation and was Chair of the Committee for Conflict Transformation Support for most of its life. She is an associate of Conciliation Resources and Responding to Conflict, a former Chair of the Committee for Conflict Transformation Support, and has worked for twenty years as a consultant facilitator, mediator, trainer and adviser, with experience in many countries, particularly the former Yugoslavia and the Caucasus region, the Middle East, Africa and South and East Asia.

Love art but not arms companies? Then join us at noon on Saturday 31st March to launch our campaign to Disarm the Gallery and end the National Gallery's links with the arms trade.
Whether you're willing to don a costume and engage in street theatre, leaflet passers-by or engage children and tourists in some arty fun, your help will be welcome! Please let us know you are coming so we can keep you up to date with the latest plans. See the Facebook event. http://www.facebook.com/events/251371678289364/

The talk will be given by Dr Catherine Locke from the School of International Development at UEA. Dr Locke is a Senior Lecturer in Gender and Social Development. She has over 15 years experience in research, consultancy and training. She is also a director for "Moving the Goalposts" - a small charity that promotes gender empowerment through football for girls and young women in Kilifi, Kenya.