Network for Peace

Speaker Tony Wood. The March 2012 elections in Russia seem likely to return Vladimir Putin to power for a third presidential term, despite rising levels of discontent and the ruling party’s dwindling popularity. What is the nature of the system over which Putin has presided, and how has it dealt with the challenges facing this vast multi-ethnic state in the wake of the traumas of the 1990s and in face of the global downturn since 2008? Tony Wood is Deputy Editor of the New Left Review, contributes regularly to Le Monde Diplomatique, and has written extensively about Russia.

Speaker Dr Adam Hanieh. In the wake of the uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia, international financial institutions such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, in partnership with the Gulf Arab States, have rushed to offer loans and investment packages to the new transitional regimes. The possible conditionalities attached to these aid packages have provoked widespread concern from the region’s political movements, and need to be seen in the context of ongoing struggles to achieve the social and economic demands that underpinned the uprisings. Dr.

Build a radical movement for the future by building a living community today! This year’s Camp will be near Shrewsbury and the theme is Making Nonviolent Revolution. There will be a whole-day workshop co-facilitated by renowned US activist George Lakey.

Book at: http://peacenews.info/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=4

A slide talk by photojournalist Guy Smallman, recently returned from Afghanistan, with ex-soldier Ben Griffin. Also screening Guy's film Fifteen Million Afghans.

Holy Innocents service beginning at 11.00 am. The service will include music and song from these regions and also some pieces from the Iona Community. All group singers would be most welcome - there will be a practice session at 10.30. This will be followed after lunch at 2.00 by a 30-minute witness at the Innocent Victims' Memorial outside Westminster Abbey. These events are being organised by the Anglican Pacifist Fellowship for the Network of Christian Peace Organisations.

Special Open Table at The Well. In October Fr Colin Griffiths visited Japan and the area devastated by the tsunami. Join us for supper and a talk about his experience. Cost: donation towards the work of the Red Cross in Japan. To reserve a place at Open Table, ring 01908 242190 or email bookings@thewellatwillen.org.uk giving at least 24 hours notice if food is required. All welcome.

I-2pm, All Faiths and none, bring candles, tell your friends. Christian CND Christians@cnduk.org 020 7700 4200. Chris Gidden: ccnd@chg.me.uk 02076091093.

A new exhibition is an in-depth look at the life and work of critically acclaimed photographer Don McCullin. His compelling black and white photographs capture the reality and impact of modern conflict, and they are seen here alongside film, personal memorabilia and more recent work. Adults £7, Concessions £6.

Our learning journey from Norwich to Dheisheh Palestinian Refugee Camp in Bethlehem. Speaker Anne Aves. The talk is at 1pm and will last about 30 minutes followed by questions. Admission is free. You are welcome to bring a packed lunch any time from 12.15pm. A donation is invited for a hot drink and biscuits.

AGM at 2pm; Social at 3.30pm -5.30pm Two steps up to enter from street.

Public Rally.

A training day suitable for anyone working with children and young people. COST £80. Accessible to all and very near the train station.

The Bomb – a partial history in two parts (5 plays in each). A historical, anarchic and engaging look at the Nuclear Bomb from its beginnings in the 1940s, to the dangers we face today. Presented in two blasts, The Bomb offers a contemporary insight into one of the most significant debates facing mankind. With World Premieres by internationally acclaimed playwrights: Lee Blessing, Ryan Craig, John Donnelly, David Greig, Amit Gupta, Zinnie Harris, Ron Hutchinson, Diana Son and Colin Teevan. Tickets from £14 for each Blast. £14/£12.

An annual liturgy and witness of Repentance and Resistance to nuclear war preparations will take place at various military sites.

Strengthening Policy and Practice: meeting the challenges of working in complex environments. The course will identify how organisations can strive to balance their organisational mandate with the demands of working in complex and rapidly changing political contexts. This course is for staff of international and national agencies and those with advisory and management responsibility for emergency, relief, development, and peacebuilding programmes. £990 (includes full board accommodation from the evening of 4 – afternoon of 9 March)

Resource and prayer materials available from Pax Christi office and see more here http://www.paxchristi.org.uk/pubs.HTML

The Peace Pagoda was built in 1980 by the Monks and Nuns of Nipponzan Myohoji assisted by Peace workers of many other religions, as a physical expression of their prayers for peace. Anniversary ceremony at the Peace Pagoda in the open air, at which prayers from many different faiths are offered towards the objective of a peaceful world, followed by lunch and a multi-cultural event in the afternoon, with song, dance, poetry readings etc. to celebrate the cultural diversity of our world. The Ceremony will begin with prayers at 10:30am, and continue until approximately 3:30pm.