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.
Read the latest Abolish War newsletter, June 2025, which includes:
• Conflict sees shares soar and opens our eyes to profiteering
• Nuclear threat at Lakenheath is focus of growing campaign
• Don’t give up – MAW members reflect on continuing human tragedy in Gaza
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A world in multi-crisis
John Gittings writes “How can we argue for peace when the talk is all of war?…”
Read more: https://abolishwar.net/a-world-in-multi-crisis/
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Celebrate the United Nations at 80!
Hilary Evan’s post: “…disasters and limitations make the headlines. The huge successes of the last 80 years, most notable in the fields of health, education and human rights, take a little more effort to identify…” Read more https://abolishwar.net/celebrate-the-united-nations-at-80/
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A visit to Argentina on Friday 7 March at 8pm, via Zoom
MAW Committee member David Collins recently visited Argentina as part of his research into the causes and lessons of the Falklands/Malvinas war of 1982. He told us about the book he is writing and the highlights of his visit. We heard the views of Argentinians on the still unresolved sovereignty dispute with the UK in the South Atlantic and Antarctic, and insights David gathered into the local culture.
Video of the event is coming soon!
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MAW statement, 13/02/25
Justice for Gaza & West Bank is Non Negotiable
We deeply deplore President Trump’s recent proposals for the future of Gaza and its Palestinian residents… (more here)
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MAW is deeply concerned about the risk of a Russia-NATO war resulting from the latest upward spiral of missile and other attacks between Russia and Ukraine. Such a war has the potential to erupt into full-scale exchanges, and thus presents the ultimate peril of escalation to nuclear armageddon.
We therefore fully support the statement presented to 10 Downing St by CND and others, see announcement here:
https://cnduk.org/letter-to-the-prime-minister-about-the-escalating-crisis-in-ukraine-26-november-2024/
We urge members and supporters to follow this up with messages to MPs and other influential persons and organisations.”
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This year’s MAW Annual Remembrance Lecture
took place on 10/11/24 at NEU Head Office, WC1H 9BD
“Imagining Peace: Taking inspiration from the 1923–24
Welsh Women’s Peace Petition“
Professor Mererid Hopwood
The video is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgNSkZc7eus
For more information visit https://abolishwar.net/mererid-hopwood/
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MAW conference: “Alternatives to War in a Time of Global Crisis”
Saturday 14th September
Sands Film Studio, Rotherhithe, London SE16 4HZ, or online
Speakers: Paul Rogers, Diana Francis, John Gittings, Jonathan Cohen,
Gwen Burnyeat and Tanya Hubbard.
Links to the conference recording and the transcript are here: https://abolishwar.net/Alternatives-to-war
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MAW opposes the installation of new nuclear weapons at Lakenheath.
Read the full statement at https://abolishwar.net/Lakenheath
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MAW Zoom event Friday 10 May 2024, 7pm
From COP28 to COP29
Deborah Burton spoke about TPNS’s COP28 Military Emissions events,
and looked forward to COP29 in Azerbaijan.
Learn more about the event here
View it here: https://youtu.be/ahDuuiav-fQ
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Tree for Bruce!
Poem for Bruce
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 2023
MAW Remembrance Lecture for 2023.
The role of the arts and culture in promoting peace and opposing war
Fifty people were privileged to hear Michael Mears, when he gave the 2023 MAW Remembrance Lecture in the lovely auditorium at the Oasis Hub in Waterloo.
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!
Celebration of MAW success
https://youtu.be/VWaKoiqkzxI Nearly 70 friends celebrated MAW’s first 20 years at our online birthday party on 27 May - sadly with only a virtual cake! Our founder Bruce Kent started proceedings by recalling the Hague conference from which MAW was born and then outlined MAW’s many achievements since that time. MAW…