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Peace Pledge Union
Dick Sheppard House
6 Endsleigh Street
London WC1H 0DX
Tel: 01-387 5501
AIMS
To create a clearer and deeper understanding of the forces within our
societies which make the killing of children,women and men acceptable. To help translate
such awareness into practical action for social change. To show that individuals have the
‘power’ to change the world around them.
METHODS
Through local, national and international campaigning we aim to bring
certain issues to the attention of a wider audience and invite people to participate with
us in our work; particularly we encourage people to develop local campaigning and
educational programs.
We produce a wide range of material for campaigning and educational
work - material which ranges
from leaflets, through pamphlets, magazines, wallcharts, study packs to exhibitions.
A part of our campaigning work finds focus in the CAMPAIGN AGAINST
MILITARISM which provides the widest opportunity for people's involvement and brings our
work into close contact with the wider public.
The PEACE EDUCATION PROJECT, the PPU’s educational wing, is concerned primarily with work with
teachers and pupils within the formal educational system.
SUCCESSES
For 50 years the PPU has maintained a steady witness for radical and
often unpopular pacifist views. During these fifty years the PPU has started or helped to
start a variety of projects, many of which now continue independently.
FAILURES
Since the PPU’s founding over 80 million people have died through
wars. For a movement dedicated to the elimination of war this is an uncomfortable fact.
Our work, we realise, is long-term but there is an urgency about it.
FUTURE PLANS
This year, in addition to our normal work we are organising a tour of
Britain arranging meetings, workshops and exhibitions; we are holding a major exhibition
in central London; we are promoting co-operative games to introduce the idea of
cooperation to the young and those who work with them; we will, if we can find the money,
launch a major project on Northern Ireland.
HELP NEEDED
Peoples’ active support. Join us now!
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Guatemala Working
Group
1 AmweII Street
London ECi
Tel: 01-278 2829
AIMS
To promote interest and understanding of Guatemala in Britain and to
encourage links between the two countries.
To support the struggle against poverty and repression in Guatemala.
METHODS
The group produces a quarterly ‘Guatemala Update’ which aims
to give an analytical approach to events taking place in Guatemala. A monthly briefing
sheet is also available.
Fund raising by voluntary donation and sale of books, posters etc.
Organising public meetings.
Acting as hosts for delegations from Guatemala.
SUCCESSES
The publication of a booklet entitled ‘Guatemala - the Eternal Struggle’, an
introduction to the situation in Guatemala. It is about the long struggle of the
Guatemalan people against the system of injustice and oppression in which they exist
In November 1982 the group coordinated a visit of a Guatemalan Justice
and Peace Committee delegation. Public meetings were organised, with two Guatemalan
catechists (unordained religious workers) giving eyewitness reports of the atrocities
committed against the Indian people of Guatemala.
The organising of a series of seminars to provide information about the
background and current situation in Guatemala.
FAILURES
We are a small group with limited funds and are therefore unable to
inform as many people in Britain as we would like of the plight of the people of
Guatemala.
We are unable to send representatives to as many meetings and
discussions as we would like.
FUTURE PLANS
To continue to publicise the situation in Guatemala as best we can and
expand the activities of the group to reach a wider audience.
HELP NEEDED
We need help in the production of our ‘Updates’ and other
publications.
New members and subscribers are also needed, and people with
printing/designing skills/equipment We also need help with the coordination of the
group’s activities - people in the London area with plenty of time to put in on a
voluntary basis would be a great help.
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Women’s
International League for Peace and Freedom
1 Rue de Varembe
1211 Geneva 20
Switzerland
British Section:
17 Victoria Park Square,
London E2
Tel: 01-980 1030
AIMS
To bring together women united in their
determination to study, make known and help to abolish the political,
social and economic causes of war and to work for total disarmament, the peaceful
settlement of disputes and the strengthening of the United Nations.
METHODS
Founded in 1915 by women from both sides of the conflict, the WILPF has
spread to every continent. An International Congress is held every third year, hosted by
National Sections in rotation. The WILPF publishes an international quarterly in English,
Pax et Libertas, in addition to each Section’s Peace & Freedom; produces material
on disarmament and related subjects and writes reasoned letters on a wide range of topics
to the Government, individual politicians and the press.
SUCCESSES
Pioneered the recognition of peace as an area in which women play a
vital role. Two International WILPF Presidents were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Has
helped to make peace a talking point and an election issue everywhere it has sections. Has
been given Consultative Status with the United Nations agencies. Recently initiated the
STAR (Stop the Arms Race) Campaign, focussed on preventing the deployment of new missiles
in Europe and urging serious negotiations by NATO and Warsaw Pact powers to reduce the
present level of armaments.
FAILURES
We have failed to convince as many women as we would have liked that
they can make a positive contribution in the solving of conflicts.
FUTURE PLANS
Continuation of the STAR Campaign, with another event planned for
International Women’s day in 1985.
HELP NEEDED
More members to carry on our work. More publicity for our work.
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