Tue. September 20, 2011
International Peace Day 2011
Wales for Peace
Tomorrow (September 21st), CND Cymru will be supporting organisations across Wales celebrating and strengthening the ideals of peace between peoples and nations.
The United Nations’ International Day of Peace, marked every year on 21st September, is a day when individuals, communities, nations and governments highlight efforts to end conflict and promote peace.
Established by U.N. Resolution in 1982, “Peace Day” now includes millions of people all around the world celebrating peace.
Jill Gough, National Secretary of CND Cymru said today:
‘Many of us in Wales are only too aware of the urgency of addressing the issues surrounding conflict. Peace is more than the absence of war. It is a positive way we can conduct our everyday lives within our families and communities as well as internationally.’
‘We should be pressing our Government in Wales to face up to this and think what we’re doing when we encourage investments in weapons development and manufacture within our country. Wales needs to introduce peace and conflict prevention education into our educational establishments and to consider the genuine meaning of sustainability.’
‘Peace Day helps us to focus on the consequences on seemingly innocuous desire for economic growth, no matter what the consequences. It is an opportunity to focus on this need, to question and ponder – and to celebrate the best that we are and all we do not wish to lose – for ourselves and those to come.’
Event Details:
CND Cymru will be supporting groups throughout Wales marking International UN Day of Peace:
Aberporth
7.00 a.m. Peace Day event at Parc Aberporth (near Blaenannerch), developed as a ‘Centre of Excellence’ for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)/drones.
Research into and testing of UAVs and UCAVs (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle) is mainly funded by the military. Arms companies see drone technology as an ideal way to increase their profits in the growing area of ‘remote killing’ technology.
Many individuals and groups in Wales and Britain are deeply concerned about the use of Aberporth for developing these killing and spying machines. They see this as another sign of the increasing militarisation of Wales.
The use of unmanned drones as weapons of war in conflicts around the world has been called into question by one of Britain’s most senior judges. Lord Bingham, a former senior Law Lord, said that some weapons were so ‘cruel as to be beyond the pale of human tolerance’.
Since July 28th, a permanent segregated airspace around Parc Aberporth allows frequent testing of unmanned aircraft across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Powys and part of North Pembrokeshire with flights between Aberporth and military training ranges on Mynydd Epynt.
The only company now renting a business unit on the especially constructed Parc Aberporth is Qinetiq who are testing an Israeli designed ‘Watchkeeper’ (formerly ‘Hermes’) drone owned by the MoD for use with spying and targeting over Afghanistan and other war zones. The Parc itself has cost the taxpayer at least £21 million.
Newcastle Emlyn
8.30 a.m. Gather at the parking / picnic site on the Cwmcou road by Adpar for a walk through Newcastle Emlyn.
Between 9.30 a.m. and 3.30 p.m. Walkers will be visiting schools to talk about the International Day of Peace and about the military use of UAVs/drones.
Guto Prys ap Gwynfor, Llandysul 01559 363649
Cen Llwyd, Talgarreg 01545 590295 or 07970 596887
http://www.cymdeithasycymod.org.uk/diary.htm
Carmarthen
4.00 p.m. Gathering outside Carmarthen Fire-Station, and then walk through the town to St Peter’s Hall.
5.15 p.m. A ceremony arranged by Carmarthen Town Council. Raising the flag of peace over the Town Hall.
5.30 p.m. The official opening of the ‘White Book of Carmarthen’
The White Book is a finely bound volume with pages for signatures which will be taken from place to place with an invitation for all to sign it as a witness for the way of peace.
Guto Prys ap Gwynfor, Llandysul 01559 363649
Cen Llwyd, Talgarreg 01545 590295 or 07970 596887
Mererid Hopwood, Caerfyrddin 07855 868077
http://www.cymdeithasycymod.org.uk/diary.htm
Wrexham
11am – 6pm Live music all day, readings on peace by faith groups, poetry, interactive art and bridge building craft, free give and take stall, peace picnic.
Llwyn Isaf (Green behind the Guildhall, between Rhosddu Rd and Chester St, Wrexham LL11 1AY)
Evening Party at the Horse & Jockey pub.
Organised by Wrexham Peace and Justice Forum, Heal the Last Stand and Wrexham Quakers and Wrexham Diocese Faith, Peace & Justice Network.
All Welcome come rain or shine!
Exhibition: ‘Nonviolence Works’ all week upstairs in Wrexham Library.
Genny Bove 0845 330 4505 vg@genny.force9.co.uk
Bangor
8.00pm Blue Sky Cafe
Film showing of “Cultures of Resistance”.
An inspiring film by Iara Lee who was on the Mavi Marmara (aid convoy 2010) and succeeded in getting film of the Israeli Defense Force boarding.
Cardiff
7.30pm Workshop: ‘Committed to Peace’ led by Jane Harries and Sue Proudlove.
Exploring the meaning of campaigning for peace – in the past and – in the present.
venue: Temple of Peace, Cathays Park.
Cardiff and District UNA
Robin Attfield c/o 029 20 228 549 AttfieldR@cardiff.ac.uk
http://internationaldayofpeace.org/about/background.html
Other events will be taking place across Wales.
CND Cymru : Jill Gough 01239 85 11 88 heddwch@cndcymru.org
