Draft outline of work/possible roles
At the Abolition 2000 annual meeting, held in Geneva on 16 Sept. 2011, it was agreed to set up a new working group on the economic aspects of nuclearism. This will absorb/provide an umbrella for the work done through the two earlier Working Groups: Divestment and Military Corporate.
It was recognised that there are many aspects to be tackled, both in terms of analysis and action. The widespread, and increasing, level of public concern over the effects of the worldwide economic crisis offers important opportunities for campaigners to integrate anti-nuclear perspectives into the more general critique of the economic system; and to reach out to many important new partners.
It is proposed to use the Abol-Caucus e-list and the Abolition 2000 website as primary means of communication; but if detailed discussions become necessary we should consider a separate , more limited e-list.
Possible roles for the group include the following. Please get in touch if you wish to contribute or have ideas to share.
1. Sharing of information on nuclear weapons costs and investments:
– public funds/military spending
– private companies (suppliers – production – services…)
– banking and insurance services
2. Setting these costs in wider contexts:
– military spending as a whole
– nuclearism as a whole, ie nuclear energy, waste and research as well as weapons
3. Sharing of information on actions and work programmes already under way by civil society in relation to these issues.
4. Encouraging/assisting Abolition 2000 members and partners to launch programmes/actions to challenge decision-makers on these economic aspects, and to integrate the economic dimensions into wider anti-nuclear campaigns.
5. Helping develop strategies at different levels/sectors:
– parliamentary
– municipal
– academic (intl. relations, economics, politics etc)
– civil society (peace, labour, women, youth, env., development, ‘occupy’/anti-capitalist/altermondialist mvts etc..)
6. Sharing ideas with others in related fields, eg Bankwatch, Cluster Munitions Coalition/ICBL, ICAN-divestment campaign etc.
Contacts:
Colin Archer, International Peace Bureau, secgen@ipb.org
Jasna Bastic, Peace Boat, jasna@peaceboat.gr.jp