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, January 2025, which includes:
• Say no to the return of US nuclear weapons to UK soil
• Can the lens of the arts help us see things differently?
• Cycle challenge takes message of hope to Yorkshire and more
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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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Join us for 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 has kindly agreed to tell us about the book he is writing and the highlights of his visit. Come and hear of the views of Argentinians on the still unresolved sovereignty dispute with the UK in the South Atlantic and Antarctic, and about the insights David gathered into the local culture.
All welcome! Register (free) for what promises to be a fascinating evening at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-visit-to-argentina-with-david-collins-tickets-1145952507799
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MAW is desperately 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
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.
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!
Dr Bruce Kent!

On 15th November 2021, Coventry University awarded an Honorary Doctorate to Bruce Kent - MAW's President Emeritus, and Vice President at CND and Pax Christi EW. Here is his inspiring speech to the students: "Dear Friends, It is an honour, a pleasure and a complete surprise to find myself here…