26 March, 2009

Minister for Peace Meeting Peace House, Thursday 26 March, 7.30pm

Dr Bill Bhaneja, National Co-Chair of Canadian Department of Peace Initiative (CDPI) was guest speaker. The rationale for this initiative in Canada was for a number of reasons
-The lack of coherence and coordination of peace-related policies in the federal government
- Decline of Canadian peacebuilding, peacekeeping and peace diplomacy, including disarmament
- Escalation of violent conflict, risk of nuclear weapon use and proliferation
- Growth of the military budget and war-fighting posture
The core mandate of the Minister of Peace was:
Conflict Transformation by Peaceful Means at Home and Abroad that would
Provide a voice in Cabinet
Develop long-range thinking re the root causes of violence
Serve as an incubator for creative responses to violence
Act as a sensor for early detection and nonviolent intervention
Implement UN policies and legislation in concert with the Canadian UN Ambassador and the Canadian Government

The main thrusts of the Department of Peace:
Peace Education and Training
Human and Economic Rights
Nuclear Disarmament
Civilian Peace Service which would include the proposal for the accreditation of Canadian Civilian Peace Professionals who would be well trained to work in areas of conflict- domestic, /national/international
Violence prevention through Restorative Justice, Cities of Peace, and inter-communal harmony

He encouraged us to continue with the work of promoting a Minister for Peace here.
While the situation between Canada and N. Ireland was constitutionally different, there was an urgent need for the establishment here in N. Ireland. He congratulated us on the Peace Process here but there was a long journey ahead yet. Bill stressed that this initiative was well established in Canada and had the support and sponsorship of many M.P’s and many local and national organisations

Kevin Cassidy
Chair of Minister for Peace Campaign in N. Ireland.