Human rights, Humanism, Dialogue between cultures

UK’s CND Protests Funding for Trident

admin — Sat, 21 May 2011 19:25:07 +0000

UK residents and citizens of the world were recently given another terrible shock: the
costs of replacing the warfare Trident submarines will actually cost upwards of 25 billion
pounds, not the 11-14 billion pounds which was cited back in 2006. It is no surprise that
the ministry of defense is going over budget. What is a surprise is that the government
is actually considering whether they should these costs in a time when education, jobs,
and health are all struggling.

Up until now, the UK MoD has nearly spent 100 billion pounds on replacing the
Tridents. The decision to fund the additional costs won’t be made until 2016. However,
the MoD plans on spending an additional 3 billion pounds in the time before the decision
is made.

The announcement of the additional wastes of funds for warfare was met by a wave
of protest across the UK and beyond. The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND)
issued a press release on May 18th to condemn the authorization of funds for nuclear
arms. CND cited many examples of more adequate uses for these funds, especially
noting the recent cuts to the police force. What is the point of policing the world if we
can’t even police our country?

European Humanists Meet in Genoa, Italy

admin — Sat, 21 May 2011 19:20:15 +0000

On May 5th through 8th, activities from throughout Europe gathered in Genoa, Italy for the annual meeting of European Humanist Federation (EHF). As to keeping with tradition of the meeting, a different subgroup of EHF hosted the meeting and its events. This year, Italy’s Union of Atheists and Rationalist Agonstics (UAAR) led the assembly.
Genoa was the perfect environment for this meeting of humanitarians as the city is known for its Science Festival and “atheist bus”. Genoa is also reknown in Europe for its support of civil and legal rights. The EHF meeting was a complete success and many new partnerships and ideas were formed.

The conference included many different topics over the course of several day all with the main themes of “Moral Foundations in a Godless World.” Some of the speakers included journalist/philosopher Paolo Flores d’Arcais, professor of Bioethics and History of Medicine at La Sapienza Gilberto Corbellini, President of SILFS Guilio Giorello, and Bangladeshi activist/writer Taslima Nasrin. The ending session of the EHF assembly which discussed the needs for all people to be liberally educated.

Achievements from Hunger Strike Still Going Strong

admin — Sat, 21 May 2011 19:18:41 +0000

On June 1st, 2008, activist and Spokesperson for New Humanismm in Europe Giorgio
Schultze took over the hunger strike protesting the American space shield. The protest
was begun by Jan Tamas and Jan Bednar who were forced to take a break from their
hunger strike due to deteriorating health.

The protest against the American space shield is gaining increasing momentum
throughout the globe. In addition to Giorgio Schultz, Tamas and Bednar, activists for
peace have gathered in Europe, Australia, and the United States to support awareness
and protest with fasts and other initiatives.

Schultz stressed the importance of using nonviolence to denounce of the of the greatest
violence of the present day and age. The American space shield is a looming threat of
a new war, arms races, and imperializing. He also spoke vehemently about the severe
treats of the anti-missile defense which, under the guise of defense, would actually
militarize space. This is all occurring while governments remain silent and go against
the wishes of their people.

The 2008 campaign was met by huge waves of support and solidarity worldwide
including from MEPs Giulietto Chiesa, Luisa Morgantini, Roberto Musacchio, Vittorio
Agnoletto and Nordic Green Left Alliance (NGLA). On the 12th and 13th of June,
activists for peace went to Brussels to delegate during the Agora Climate talks.

Citizens of the world do not want more military bases or foreign armies in Europe nor do
they wish for the expansion of European powers. The movement for nuclear disarming
and the end of global militarizing is still going strong. There are many ways to join the
movement with initiatives in your area and by increasing awareness.