Russians against the war on Ukraine
The Russian Movement of Conscientious Objectors has listed Russian statements against the war. There are celebrities, movements, professional groups and open petitions. The list is in Russian and in English and it will be updated but even it is not fully comprehensive .it shows remarkable courage and widespread rejection of the war by people in Russia. .https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vTpUj_oFMQ9kwIe0hyFP-Yv_DTcKp_z0H2DVEsNhcC44nsEyzZokIuaosaP3cXZh9D5XZvYnGcffDzI/pub?urp=gmail_link
– In Ireland there have been demonstrations including Belfast, Cork and Dublin, in the case of the last both at the Dáil and the Russian embassy, involving Ukrainians, Irish people, Russians and others. Keep your eyes peeled for things happening locally or DIY. The email and web editions of this issue of Nonviolent News include a summary of statements by civil society and peace groups, and other analysis..
– Organised by the Ukrainian community in NI, there will be a ‘Peace in Ukraine – No to war!’ demo, gathering at Custom House Square, Belfast, at 4pm on Saturday 5th March before walking to City Hall.
Galway Alliance Against War (GAAW)
GAAW was set up just over twenty years ago to campaign for peace and Irish neutrality at the time of the lead up to the US war on Afghanistan. It has successfully opposed the militaristic Salthill Airshow, sought to to free Assange; campaigned against EU militarism and the US wars waged via Shannon airport – on Shannon its work ranges from educational to direct action. Recently it called for an end to all naval exercises in Irish waters. https://www.facebook.com/groups/312442090965 GAAW produces an occasional newssheet, to subscribe send an email to galwayallianceagainstwar@gmail.com
Thales Belfast: a call to transition
A small demonstration will take place at the biggest bomb factory in Belfast, Thales, in Alanbrooke Road, Castlereagh, Belfast on St Patrick’s Day, 17th March, at 11am, calling on Thales to use its engineering expertise and large workforce for producing socially useful products rather than weapons of destruction. As well as missiles and related military equipment they are developing laser/energy field weapons for the Ministry of Defence in London. Those attending are asked to bring bubble making materials to symbolise positivity. The event is organised by INNATE in association with StoP/Swords to Ploughshares network. Contact innate@ntlworld.com
Monitoring May Assembly elections in the North
From 2nd to 8th May, 2022, Sustainable Development Assistance International (SDAI-AIDD), a Canadian non-profit, is organising an International Election Observation Mission for the 5th May elections in Northern Ireland. 50 international election observers are volunteering to monitor at polling stations and vote counting centres with the goal of promoting a fair and peaceful election in Northern Ireland. SDAI is looking for the assistance of local people to volunteer to drive international election observers on election day and vote counting day (5th and 6th May). The project is also open to local observers who are able to be politically neutral in their observations and do not appear to be politically biased; they would need to attend observer training on 3rd May and preferably the debriefing on 7th May in Belfast. They are also looking for donations of local baking for the international observers to enjoy on training and debriefing days in Belfast. If you are able to help, please contact SDAI on their website https://www.sdai-aidd.ca/
Organic Centre Rossinver
The Organic Centre nestled in the heart of rural Rossinver, Leitrim looks forward to 2022 with the hope of brighter days ahead. As an educational charity, it specialises in promoting all things organic, sustainable living and biodiversity. The Organic Centre was founded in 1995 by local organic growers, and farmers. Developed on a 19-acre green field site at the foot of limestone hills beside Lough Melvin, it became a pioneering organisation, at the forefront of organic growing, and action for climate change. From the beginning there was 6 weekend courses which took place in 1997. Now, the centre looks forward to over 85 courses ranging from growing to renewable energy as well as 16 free events including Biodiversity Day, and Apple Day. Coming soon we welcome back our well-loved potato day https://www.theorganiccentre.ie/page/whats-on-5, a free friendly event, on March 6th from 12-4pm, with demonstrations, tours, and an onsite market.
The centre also hosts a one year, full time fully funded course in organic horticulture an incredible opportunity to study in relaxing surrounds, it is closing for applications soon. https://msletb.ie/further-education-and-training-fet/search-courses/?sfcw-courseId=328174 An array of weekend courses throughout the year range from organic growing, renewable energy, mindfulness, cheese making and more. Check out the Organic Centre’s website and social media channels for more information on courses, events, the Grass Roof café, and the onsite and online shop including a Zero Waste and Craft sections. Or just keep up to date on the news from the camera for the resident wild life that make the environment of the centre their home. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2785829048376230&ref=sharing
Licensing as a mediator with MNI, MII
Mediation Northern Ireland (MNI) has launched their first annual licencing process for mediators (with two levels, an Entry Level Mediation Licence for mediators who are just starting out, and a Mediation Practitioner Licence). Licensed mediators will, for an annual fee, have access to various supports including monthly CPD/Continuous Professional Development, supervision, inclusion in a register of practitioners, networking and conference participation. Contact licencing@mediationnorthernireland.org and see also www.mediationnorthernireland.org
– Full information on Mediators’ Institute of Ireland (MII) licensing of mediators can be found on their website at https://www.themii.ie/ and click on ‘Membership’. There are several categories of individual members, including advanced membership, and corporate membership for groupings of mediators, with specific entitlements for each category which are outlined on the website. Only MII Practising Certificate holders are approved by MII to mediate, and they are bound by the MII Code of Ethics and Practice.
Belfast Hiroshima
Belfast-based artist Deepa Mann-Kler has created an app, AR Peace Wall, for the Cupar Way ‘peace wall’ in Belfast where people scan a code placed along the wall and virtual reality technology transforms the location to Hiroshima 75 years ago when the atomic bomb was dropped on the city and explores peace building. Download the app at https://visitbelfast.com/partners/ar-peace-wall-app/ (and word search for further information).
Police Reform North and South
The ‘Police Reform North and South: Learning from the past and planning for the future’ seminar takes place from 9.15am to 5pm, Thursday 24th March at the Westin Hotel, Dublin or virtually. It follows on from the ‘PSNI@20’ conference in November 2021. Co-organised by CAJ and ICC, this is an opportunity to reflect on past successes, current challenges, and risks for the future around human rights and policing. Speakers include prominent policy makers, academics, practitioners, and others with a direct involvement in police reform and oversight. Book through link (and more info) at https://caj.org.uk/ and see also https://www.iccl.ie/
CAJ 40
In addition to coverage of a variety of current issues, the February 2022 issue of Just News, the publication of CAJ/The Committee on the Administration of Justice, looks back over its start 40 years ago with fascinating pieces by some of those most involved at the very beginning. Download at https://caj.org.uk/2022/02/25/just-news-february-2022/
Front Line Defenders lecture: Palestine/Israel human rights
The annual FLD lecture is entitled ‘Politicizing Human Rights in Palestine/Israel’ and given by Anat Biletzki
who is the Albert Schweitzer Professor of Philosophy at Quinnipiac University and Professor of Philosophy (retired) at Tel Aviv University. It will be given in 3 cities; Dublin on 14th March, Galway on 15th March and Belfast on 16th March (time –‘teatime’ but varies according to location). More info and booking links at https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/annual-front-line-defenders-lecture
Rights and equality in NI under Brexit and the Protocol
The confusing world of who has what rights in the North after Brexit is tackled in a 27-page guide to ‘Human Rights and Equality in Northern Ireland under the Protocol: A practical guide’ which has been produced by the Social Change Initiative, the Human Rights Centre at QUB, and the Donia Human Rights Center, University of Michigan. It is available at https://www.socialchangeinitiative.com/human-rights-and-equality-in-northern-ireland-under-the-protocol-a-practical-guide
Gospel nonviolence
Those who may be interested in the Christian gospel nonviolence approach of Emmanuel Charles McCarthy can listen to an Irish radio interview with him from 1996 at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iq4lcAXE75s or transcript at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GKI28UrcU39pf98uMr30wUJFDTQHun2f/edit
Eco-Congregation Ireland annual review
A short 4-page review of the work of ECI In the last year is available on their website at https://www.ecocongregationireland.com/2022/02/25/eci-annual-review-2021-available/ To receive the ECI e-newsletter, simply send an email with the word ‘subscribe’ in the subject-line to info@ecocongregationireland.com