Nodes in the network

If you have signed the CALL for action and wish to be part of an organic network of committed Elders and allies (including 'future Elders'), you may join efforts with others for a variety of local, national and global initiatives coherent with the CALL.  While our organic network will remain lean and minimally structured, some of us are interested in developing ‘nodes’ in the network, which may be geographically-based or topic-based, and act at various levels. To propose a node in the network please make sure to add that information when you sign the call for action.  We also encourage to get information about World BEYOND War, to which we decided to affiliate.

To participate in a node that exists for a similar geographic or thematic area, please contact the originators of the call at  elders4peace(at)gmail.com and you will be put in e-mail contact with others who expressed similar interests.  Kindly be patient, as we are all volunteers.  Thanks in advance.  

Thematic nodes proposed so far by the signatories of the call (some seeking members):

• Compiling and submitting to media an op-ed/ commentary on the need to be free from the scourge of militarism and set no limits to peace (on-going).

• Participating in STOP REARM EUROPE and becoming an affiliate of WorldBEYONDWar (on-going) 

• Organizing relevant international, national or local boycotts, divestment and sanction initiatives, such as: writing to the President of the UN General Assembly to suspend Apartheid Israel (as Apartheid South Africa was suspended 50 years ago) (on-going).

• Making militarism visible!  An insidious characteristic of militarism is that it is systemic and all-pervasive (hegemonic) but generally also invisible.  Among the important changes to seek is the fact of rendering it VISIBLE.  Many entry points could be used...  for instance, discussions in citizens' assemblies; side-events at conferences that do not focus on militarism but should (e.g., CBD; WHO; World Economic Forum); moot-court-type prosecutions concerning real examples (e.g., the current civil war in Sudan fueled by arm supplies from outside) with the support of university law faculties; real evidence discussed and real arguments made before the media, e.g. about arms supply to developing countries; linking commitment against militarism and imperialism with commitment for the cultures of peace, conservation of nature and territories of life, climate and biodiversity activism; valuing indigenous worldviews; openly opposing genocide!; giving testimony from a recent visit to Palestine; discussing about social justice and mental health consequences of war on women and children and families; focusing on issues related to violations of people and communities' rights.... (on-going).

• Writing relevant letters to media, politicians and professionals, writing blogs, newsletters, press articles, letters to editors, sharing our call to action in social media, etc; writing to accredited and reliable news sources, reputable outlets known for their commitment to accurate ; example here; engaging in media research tasks

• Seeking a global ban on export of weapons

• Helping relevant organizations (e.g., a specific peace organization in Finland) (on-going).

• Supporting Gen Z actions; protesting in alliance with young people and with other groups of elders 

• Responding to “State Capture” and global destruction by the US current administration; advocating for public health

• Participating in vigils every Saturday downtown in Parma (Italy)

• Protesting military bases

Geographic nodes proposed by the signatories of the call and seeking members:

• Canton Vaud/ Switzerland

• Switzerland and France

• Siena/ Florence/ Italy 

• Finland/ Eurasia

• UK, Cornwall, UK South, London, Bristol or South Glos.

• Ireland

• Germany

• Europe in general/ Western Europe

• Africa in general, West Africa

• Ottawa (Canada)/ Canada in general/Vancouver Island British Colombia Canada

• USA in general/East coast North America/NYC

• Ocala, Florida (Central Florida, including Gainesville) / Southeast U

• Colorado (USA)/ Midwestern US/ 

• Northern California/ SF Bay Area

• Jalisco, Mexico 

• Guatemala

• Melbourne Australia

• India

• Israel-Palestine

The 'nodes' of committed Elders are self-organized and autonomous, and may just loosely coordinate their initiatives with other nodes in a horizontal way, appreciating partnerships and joint learning and action with other efforts and organizations dedicated to peace and sustainability.  Each node may develop its own communication channel (e.g., email list, social media group) but may also wish to have a specific page in this website (please write to elders4peace(at)gmail.com to ask for that).  For instance, a node demonstrating against a specific military contractor may wish to use the page to upload information on that contractor and on the initiative it develops. Another node may be an international group writing letters to university presidents to protest their action to suffocate pro-Gaza demonstrations; they may wish to use a page to publicize their letters. All nodes start from direct connections, in person or online, deciding collectively what they wish to do to learn and take action together.  A common beginning may be sharing ideas and personal experience and diffusing the CALL for action as broadly as possible via a variety of social media.  If you are keen to do more, please check the taking action page for ideas and starting points.