On Sunday, October 2nd, a declaration shall be decided on. The preparatory process started in May. Please find here the second draft of the declaration.

Second Draft Declaration: Demilitarisation and youth

The world is over-armed and peace is under-funded. According to SIPRI[1], global military expenditure totalled almost 1.7 trillion USD in 2015, of which NATO accounts for more than half[2]. Over the next year several trillion USD will be spend on the so called modernisation of nuclear weapons. Military is taking up more and more resources in the name of peace, security, and freedom. However, it does not provide humans a decent living, nor does it provide youth with education or a liveable future.

In manifold ways, the world we live in is unjust and inhumane, in particular towards young people. Our social model is established on unlimited economic growth, the extensive use of natural resources, the predominance of capital, structures of domination, patriarchy, competition, violence, confrontation, conflict and war. Capitalism and militarism reinforce themselves, destroying the livelihoods of all beings.

We,[i] ,know that we must transform our activities and social structures to a more sustainable and peaceful manner.

Youth is a military target; in schools, universities, religious spheres and other social environments. Compulsory military service still exists in numerous countries worldwide and spreads violent and patriarchal values. Militarisation leads to radicalisation and unequal power relations between genders.

We want to abolish military, which perpetuates a global culture of violence and inequalities in all fields: youth should develop and socialise with values based on human rights, gender equality, social justice and solidarity between people.

We, the participants of the IPB Youth Gathering, actively strive for peace and a just future. We acknowledge that justice and peace are impossible with militarism and the capitalistic system we live in. We need to overcome both and develop new systems based on peace, human rights, gender equality, cooperation, and sustainable development. Thus, we demand complete demilitarisation and transformative steps towards a more humane society.

We call for the promotion of a culture of peace, through formal and non-formal peace education and intercultural knowledge and narratives, with a gender perspective. We advocate for organisations, structures and activities that would implement such trainings for young people.

We will increase our international cooperation and solidarity and will facilitate more international exchange, actions and discussion on topics of war and peace and the transformation of our society.

Today we create a Youth Network under the umbrella of the International Peace Bureau, calling for a world conference on “youth, demilitarisation, and transformation” in 2018. We realise that “those who love peace must learn to organise as effectively as those who love war”.[3] A world conference is the next big step towards achieving our aims of a transformed society.

We want to facilitate an open and participatory process. We call on all actors, individuals, groups and organisations working on issues of war and peace to join and to participate in the IPB youth network.

There is a future without wars, bullets and guns and with solidarity, justice, equality and humanity. Young people account for more than half the world’s population, and we truly believe in peace, non-violence and equality. We shall and will find practical approaches to building wholesome, functioning and sustainable societies that promote peace, co-existence and equality worldwide.

Berlin, 2 October 2016

Contact: youth@ipb.org

Not in draft declaration but rather questions for continuing our work:

Transformation: what to do with military money?

Alternatives: Volunteering Service, Exchange of youth, Begegnung

How can “money be earned” with peace?

International encounters and exchange programs

[1] Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. https://www.sipri.org/yearbook/201

[2] NATO military spending came to 900 billion in 2015. www.nato.int

[3] Dr. Martin Luther King, Speech at Rally against the Vietnam War, Chicago, 25.03.1967. i.e. http://www.jofreeman.com/photos/KingAtChicago.html

[i] Who do we mean by “we”? is it a declaration of the “youth gathering”, the “participants and supporters of the youth gathering”, …?