Preventing conflict
Many people oppose war, and believe that there should be an alternative way of sorting out disagreements. There are good reasons to avoid war:
People Civilians suffer from war, both directly from the violence and indirectly from the disruption to normal life, food supplies and services.
Money War is expensive. Spending money on weapons and wars diverts resources away from social welfare and other important areas.
Environment War can be devastating to the environment, destroying vegetation and habitats, causing pollution and scattering debris (including landmines and depleted uranium).
Some campaign groups want to rid the world of weapons, in particular nuclear weapons. Other organisations are working to build peace where conflict occurs.
- Abolition 2000 is a network of over 2000 organisations in more than 90 countries worldwide campaigning for a global treaty to eliminate nuclear weapons. Campaign groups use non-violent methods to protest and campaign to rid the world of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.
- The International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) is the global network of civil society organisations working to stop the proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons. It aims to reduce small arms violence by raising awareness among policymakers, the public and the media about the global threat to human security caused by small arms.
- International Alert is an independent, international non-governmental organisation that works to help build lasting peace in countries and communities affected or threatened by violent conflict through capacity building, mediation and dialogue.
Violent conflict can be prevented. On many occasions in the past, war or violent conflict could perhaps have been avoided if more effort and resources had been channelled into tackling the situation and resolving matters at an early stage. There are many organisations and individuals with a great deal of expertise in preventing and resolving conflict and in reconciliation work. It is also the responsibility of all individuals to work for a culture of peace, by acting non-violently and promoting peace, justice, equality, tolerance and respect.