The Movement for the Abolition of War (MAW) is part of an ongoing world-wide uprising, challenging the inevitability of war and guided by the Preamble to the Charter of the United Nations signed in 1945; a vision of a world in which conflicts are resolved without resort to violence, to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war” which to this day continues to bring untold suffering to humankind as well as deepening the climate crisis.
MAW’s 2022 Annual Remembrance Lecture was:
“Nuclear Risks in the Light of the Ukraine War”
Kate Hudson, General Secretary CND UK
on Saturday 12th November at Welsh Church of Central London.The video of the event is here: https://youtu.be/bVecVwDhyJg
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Our AGM was held earlier in the day. It included the chair’s report and the election of committee members and officers. The documents are available here.
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Audio of MAW’s ‘On Peace’ event, held to mark the UN International Day of Peace on 21st September, is now available. MAW Vice-President Martin Bell exchanged ideas with Ben Griffin, a former SAS soldier, with satirist Darren Cullen was in the chair. More information is here. The recording is on MAW’s Mixcloud here.
Applications are invited from young people aged between 18 and 34 for small grants from the Becky Garnault fund for projects which promote peace, reconciliation and/or environmentalism. The closing date for this year’s applications is 31 October 2022.
More information here.
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It was with great sadness that we heard of the death on 8th June of Bruce Kent, key founder of MAW and our President Emeritus. His obituary is here.
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Read the latest Abolish War newsletter, September 2022, which includes:
Remembering Bruce, man of peace
Helping climate and peace activists find the way forward
Bruce and MAW: Banners, microphone – and a smile
First TPNW meeting is hailed a success despite UK absence
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View the MAW cartoons “Extinguish War and Save the Earth!” and “Climate Impact of the Arms Industry” on our YouTube channel!
Latest Newsletter
The MAW newsletter Abolish War is produced quarterly.
Nuclear Prohibition
The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons marks the beginning of the end of the military hegemony of the nuclear-armed powers as nation after nation asserts its right to live in a world free of the threat of nuclear annihilation.
Remembrance 2021
‘Walls, Fences and Guns’ – How militarised and racialised capitalism is destroying the world
Asad Rehman, Executive Director, War on Want
2 pm, Sunday 14th November
Climate Change
Climate change can increase the risk of violent conflict, so why don’t we redirect some of the funding for military technologies to help tackle climate insecurity?
United Nations
How do we build up recognition of the UN as the one body which can deal with global problems facing humanity?
Rethinking Security
We challenge the narrow definition of “security” used by governments to justify military intervention. Human security means adequate food and water, education and healthcare, and a secure place to live on a planet not threatened by climate change.
War is not inevitable! Our aims are to:
Spread the belief that the abolition of war is both desirable and possible
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Raise awareness of constructive alternatives to war for resolving national and international disputes
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Develop research-based materials and strategies to educate pupils, students, the general public and members of local and national government
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Work with other people and organisations who are already active in the creation of alternatives to war
Inspiration from the Archives!
Bruce Kent writes about the UN and nuclear disarmament
In work for global justice and peace, not surprisingly, there are highs and lows. My earliest ‘high’ comes in the form of a League of Nations colour poster issued just before the 1932 Geneva disarmament conference. It shows lots of children marching hopefully towards peace. The League of Nations Union…
