Category Archives: global

Over 100 countries sponsor annual resolution on the culture of peace at the UN General Assembly

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

The following is adapted from emails received from Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury, Former Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the UN

Dear activists — The 71st session of the UNGA has adopted its resolution on the follow up of the UN Programme of Action on Culture of Peace on 23 December by consensus with a final total of 102 co-sponsors.


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Ever since the initiative taken in 1997 to include a separate agenda item on the culture of peace and the UNGA decision to do so allocating the item to the plenary of the General Assembly, every year the Assembly has adopted by consensus a comprehensive, self-standing resolution on the culture of peace.

The text of the draft resolution issued by the UN as an L. document is attached. Attached also is the full list of 102 Member States which joined Bangladesh as co-sponsors making it possible for crossing the century mark.

[Editor’s note: Conspicuously absent from the co-sponsors are the United States and its principal allies such as the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, Japan, Australis.]
 
Please note additional elements and changes over the resolution (A/Res./70/20) adopted last year in  the following:

– preambular para 9 (adding the two UN proclaimed days in addition to International Day of Non-Violence at the proposal of Armenia);

– preambular para 17 (adding the increased interest, particularly of the Member States to make country statements in its Plenary segment of the High Level Forum and the President’s Summary issued for the first time in the Forum series);

– operative para 6 (adding reference to vulnerable children in the of the UNICEF’s Early Childhood Peace Consortium);

– operative para 8 ( adding “global citizenship” overcoming insistence by Myanmar and Cuba on referring to only “active citizenship”),

– operative para 12 ( adding the International Day of Non-Violence to the International Day of Peace requesting all to accord increasing attention to their observance); and

– operative para 13 (requesting the Secretariat to support the effective organization of the High Level Forum). 

Wishing you all the best for 2017 in every way

— Anwarul Chowdhury

Question(s) related to this article:
FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, global, United Nations,

Pope Francis: Make active nonviolence our way of life – a statement for the 50th Catholic Church’s World Day of Peace

EDUCATION FOR PEACE .

An article from Nonviolent Peaceforce

Today [December 12] in Pope Francis’ message, Nonviolence: A style of politics for peace, he urges people everywhere to practice active nonviolence and notes that the “decisive and consistent practice of nonviolence has produced impressive results.” While NP is nonsectarian, we welcome such affirmations. Mel Duncan, NP’s Advocacy and Outreach director noted:


“As we struggle in a World War fought ‘piecemeal,’ nonviolent methods of protecting civilians are proving themselves effective in some of the most violent places on the planet. Indeed, more peacebuilders, conflict transformers, mediators, nonviolent resisters and unarmed civilian protectors are at work than any other time in history. We welcome Pope Francis’ pledge of assistance of the Church in every effort to build peace through active and creative nonviolence. We need it!”

Pope Francis’ statement follows the landmark Nonviolence and Just Peace Conference held in Rome in April 2016. Eighty-five experts on nonviolence from throughout the world including Mel Duncan were invited to advise on the Just War Theory. The group agreed that there is no “just war.” Instead, they issued an appeal to the Catholic Church to re-commit to the centrality of nonviolence in the Gospel. The group called on the Catholic Church to promote nonviolent practices and strategies including unarmed civilian protection.

In his message, the pope pledged “the assistance of the Church in every effort to build peace through active and creative nonviolence.”

NP urges our supporters who are involved with a faith community to take similar initiatives to actively practice and promote nonviolence, including unarmed civilian protection.

Question for this article:
EDUCATION FOR PEACE, global

Nonviolence Highlights in 2016

EDUCATION FOR PEACE .

Excerpts from email received from Nonviolence International

South Korea has had huge nonviolent protests against corruption that are about to bring down the president. This success is powerful and needs more coverage.


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Brazil saw huge protests against Parliamentary corruption. We love the rubber ducky


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Malaysia has had numerous protests including a huge protests led by woman leader who has been arrested and held in solitary confinement. Mubarak and I wrote an op-ed piece supporting protests against corruption.


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Questions for this article:

Can peace be guaranteed through nonviolent means?

How effective are mass protest marches?

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In Washington DC, Nonviolence International fiscally sponsored Democracy Spring which got more than 1000 people arrested at the Capitol demanding an end to big money in politics.


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On the religious front,  according to ” Pope Francis released the annual World Day of Peace Message for January 1, 2017, called “Nonviolence—A Style of Politics for Peace.” This is the Vatican’s fiftieth World Day of Peace message, but it’s the first statement on nonviolence, in the tradition of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.—in history.”

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Women from around the world, attempted to break the Israeli seige of Gaza. NI served as the US fiscal sponsor.

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Standing Rock protests have succeeded in stopping the Dakota Access Pipeline. This effort was led by indigenous people.

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The US congress staged a sit in for gun control. NI staff were there in support.

EDUCATION FOR PEACE, global

Building on gender promise, Guterres names three women to top UN posts

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY .

An article from the UN News Centre

The United Nations Secretary-General-designate, António Guterres today [December 15] announced that he will be appointing Amina J. Mohammed of Nigeria as the UN deputy chief, on his assumption of office as the ninth chief of the global Organization in January 2017.


Amina J. Mohammed of Nigeria. UN Photo/Mark Garten

Ms. Amina J. Mohammed is currently the Minister of Environment of Nigeria, where she steers the country’s efforts to protect the natural environment and conserve resources for sustainable development, read a statement issued by Mr. Guterres’s office.

She also served as Special Advisor to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Post-2015 Development Planning, where she was instrumental in bringing about the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Before joining the UN, Ms. Mohammed worked for three successive administrations in Nigeria, serving as Special Advisor on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). She is also an Adjunct Professor in Development Practice at New York’s Columbia University, and serves on numerous international advisory boards and panels.

Born in 1961, and educated in Nigeria and the UK, Ms. Mohammed is married with six children.

The Secretary-General-designate also announced the appointment of Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti of Brazil as his Chef de Cabinet and that he will create the position of Special Advisor on Policy, and appointed Ms. Kyung-wha Kang of the Republic of Korea to this new role.

“I am happy to count on the efforts of these three highly competent women, whom I have chosen for their strong backgrounds in global affairs, development, diplomacy, human rights and humanitarian action,” said Secretary-General-designate Guterres, in the statement adding:

“These appointments are the foundations of my team, which I will continue to build, respecting my pledges on gender parity and geographical diversity.”

Ms. Ribeiro Viotti is presently the Under-Secretary for Asia and the Pacific at the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A career diplomat since 1976, she served most recently as Brazil’s Ambassador of to Germany (from 2013 to 2016) and as Brazil’s Permanent Representative to the UN (from 2007 to 2011).

Ms. Kang is currently the Chief of the Secretary-General-designate’s Transition Team. She has served as Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator since April 2013, and was Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights from January 2007 to March 2013.

Question for this article:

Proposals for Reform of the United Nations: Are they sufficiently radical?

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY, global, United Nations,

New cities of peace this quarter

. . DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION . .

Excerpts from December newsletter of International Cities of Peace

The following are new cities of peace this quarter!

Kumara, New Zealand: City of Peace

The community is committed to fostering a culture of peace through wellness practices and educational programs. “We are pleased to share that we have just opened our Human Rights and Sustainable Development Centre at the Kumara Town Hall . . .

Buea, Cameroon: City of Peace

Linus Ayangwoh Embe has founded the Association for Community Awareness. The group focuses on reducing the stigma of HIV/AIDS, of which over 5^% of the population is plagued, the environment, peace building, child support and women empowerment. . .

Urbana, Ohio, U.S.A.: City of Peace

On Peace Day, 2017, Urbana Mayor Bean signed their city of peace resolution. “We are gearing up for our third year at, Urbana University promoting and sponsoring programs for the “Season for Non-Violence” through The Alicia Titus Memorial Peace Fund. . .

Port Harcourt, Nigeria: City of Peace

The Global Ambassadors for Peace on Sustainable Development have established Port Harcourt on the Atlantic Ocean as a City of Peace. They work closely with civic officials and the group is re-committing to providing free medical treatment to the less privileges in order “to show love to the disabled persons” . . .

Kubwa, Abuja, Nigeria: City of Peace

They have created an organization called Congress for Peace and Human Rights Defense, Nigeria. 1) Currently we are planing to start a project on peace on the on going strike action in Cameroon. 2) As from match 2017, ASCOA will visit schools to create peace clubs. 3) 2017 ASCOA will also carry out peace project with community groups, schools vulnerable children, orphans and Hiv infected children. 4) On World Peace Day 2017, ASCOA will organizer peace activities including football and a peace conference.”

Makindye, Uganda: City of Peace

The group will work in the area of Uganda characterized by vulnerable households and families in slums, many young people and mainly gangs (locally known as the “Kifesi” groups) and street children subject to neglect and abuse. . .

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Question related to this article:

 

How can culture of peace be developed at the municipal level?

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The Gambia: City of Peace

The Gambia is a small country in Africa with borders along the Gambia river. It now has its first City of Peace. Strategy for 2017 is “To ensure the well being of most of the people living in the communities with in our surroundings and across the country. To enable the people to have basic access of knowledge and understanding of the significance effects of culture of peace, cities of peace and the International Cities of Peace around the globe. And to be challenged also in are cultural mores and traditions and politics that violate women and human rights.”

Kabale, Uganda: City of Peace

Ugandan Andrew Amanya has used his radio show, Hope Kids, to create a football program that is helping children in the town of Kabale. . .

South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo: City of Peace

The group has created the Centre Des Jeunes Pour La Paix to help young people, including 130 orphans, with school fees and other necessities of life. : After decades of bloody fighting and broken peace treaties, in January of this year the army launched a successful offensive against remnants of the FDLR, ADF and Mai-Mai militias. The work of Jean Paul and his courageous group are the only true way to heal and move forward for a country more peaceful and prosperous.

Lucerne, Switzerland: City of Peace

At the foot of the Swiss Alps, Lucerne, Switzerland is home to over 80,000 people who speak Swiss German. LATEST NEWS; The leaders’ work for peace is focused on differing perspectives and how diversity contributes to the well being of all. Hans is president of the Perspective Association, a politically neutral and independent group which launched the first Lucerne Peace Day in 2016. . .

Gardnersville, Monrovia, Liberia

The group first priority is to help kids and youth with their lessons after school hours. “We are planning of having children’s party on Christmas day. This will help to keep the children out of the street and to save them from bad boys and bad girls. Before the Christmas party on Monday we will host a one day childrens’ football tournament that will compresses of 8 teams from 4 communities. . . .

Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti: City OF Peace

Haiti has recently been ravaged by another hurricane yet hope burns brightly. The Centre Esperance de la Lumiere des Demunis and Ministry Hope of the Light in Christ in Haiti has 59 children who have been abandoned. The Ministry is located in a small church for the large population of 80,000 in their community. The liaison, Jean Nicolas Joseph, has bought land in order to reach these goals. The school, orphanage and ministry are looking for funding. As Jean says, “I need you help me pray for this city.”

DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION, global

Celebrating our success in 2016; Supporting ICBL-CMC Efforts in 2017

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY .

Excerpt from the December 2016 edition of Newsletter of the Campaign to Ban Landmines and the Cluster Munition Coalition

2016 was an important year for advancing bans on both landmines and cluster munitions, requiring swift responses to ongoing conflicts that threatened gains made in previous years. Thanks to everyone who supported the International Campaign to Ban Landmines and the Cluster Munition Coalition (ICBL-CMC) for contributing to this success. Here are just a few highlights from what we achieved together this year:


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Cuba and Palau joined the Convention on Cluster Munitions, bringing the total number of States Parties to 100, with progress towards ratification advanced in dozens of other countries

The US government halted the transfer of cluster munitions to Saudi Arabia while Textron, the last US-producer of cluster munitions, announced a halt to this production

A peace agreement in Colombia made possible important advancements in mine clearance, supported by significant new commitments of international support, and contributed to a decline in new mine victims

Sri Lanka announced plans to accede to the Mine Ban Treaty while government representatives from Myanmar engaged in discussions in Geneva for the first time, around joining the Treaty

Poland completed destruction of over one million stockpiled landmines a year before treaty deadline, bringing the total number of destroyed stockpiled landmines to more than 51 million

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Questions for this article:

Can cluster bombs be abolished?

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Some 60 countries made progress in clearing minefields and cluster munition remnants from past and ongoing conflicts

In 26 countries, national campaigns, including mine/cluster munition survivors, actively campaigned for improved recognition of their rights and access to necessary services

Unfortunately, our work is not done. In 2017, when we will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the campaign, these are some of the biggest challenges that we will face:

There was a sharp rise in people killed or injured by mines and ERW, mainly due to acute conflict in Libya, Syria, Yemen and Ukraine.

Use of improvised landmines by non-state armed groups increased, even while use by States continued to be extremely limited; significant and ongoing use of cluster munitions was recorded in Syria and Yemen.

While there were several extraordinary pledges to support mine action in Colombia, Iraq and Laos, overall financial contributions to mine action were down, challenging efforts to achieve a mine-free world in 2025.

79 states have still not joined the Convention on Cluster Munitions and 35 have not joined the Mine Ban Treaty.

Improvements have been made in services and programs available to landmine and cluster munition victims but more must be done to ensure that victims are reaching these services and that their rights are upheld.

The ICBL-CMC is committed to continue working for a world that is free of both landmines and cluster munitions. We hope you will continue to support us through all of your efforts. We also ask that you consider making a donation of whatever you can to support the ICBL-CMC and its members from around the world in 2017 and beyond.

Thank you and all the best for 2017!

(Thank you to Janet Hudgins, the CPNN reporter for this article)

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY, global

UN Women: 16 days of activism against gender violence

. . WOMEN’S EQUALITY . .

An article from UN Women

From 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day, the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign is a time to galvanize action to end violence against women and girls around the world. The international campaign originated from the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute coordinated by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership in 1991.

In 2016, the UNiTE campaign strongly emphasizes the need for sustainable financing for efforts to end violence against women and girls towards the fulfilment of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
One of the major challenges to efforts to prevent and end violence against women and girls worldwide is the substantial funding shortfall. As a result, resources for initiatives to prevent and end violence against women and girls are severely lacking. Frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals, which includes a specific target on ending violence against women and girls, offer huge promise, but must be adequately funded in order to bring real and significant changes in the lives of women and girls.

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(Click here for a Spanish version of this article or here for a version in French.)

Question related to this article:

Protecting women and girls against violence, Is progress being made?

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To bring this issue to the fore, the UN Secretary-General’s campaign UNiTE to End Violence against Women’s call for the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence in 2016 is ‘Orange the World: Raise Money to End Violence against Women and Girls’. The initiative provides a moment to bring the issue of sustainable financing for initiatives to prevent and end violence against women to global prominence and also presents the opportunity for resource mobilization for the issue.

Join us!

Share your photos, messages and videos showing how you orange the world at facebook.com/SayNO.UNiTE and twitter.com/SayNO_UNiTE using #orangetheworld and #16days. For more information about “Orange the world,” see this year’s Call to Action and download the fundraising toolkit. For more information about Orange Day, please contact Anna Alaszewski, UNiTE Campaign Coordinator,  anna.alaszewski[at]unwomen.org

(Thank you to Janet Hudgins, the CPNN reporter for this article)

global, United Nations, WOMEN'S EQUALITY,

REPORT: Fossil Fuel Divestment Doubles in Size as Institutions Representing $5 Trillion Commit to Divest

. . SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT . .

A press release from 350.org

The global movement to divest from fossil fuels has doubled in size since September 2015, according to the third annual Global Fossil Fuel Divestment and Clean Energy Investment Movement report from Arabella Advisors. The report, released today by the Divest-Invest network, comes exactly one year after world governments reached the Paris agreement on climate change.


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Global commitments to divest have reached 688 institutions across 76 countries, representing $5 trillion in assets under management.1 Notable announcements include Dublin’s Trinity College, 16 universities in the UK, the Islamic Society of North America, the American Public Health Association, and more.

“As we enter the final weeks of 2016, the hottest year in history, the success of the divestment movement is undeniable,” said May Boeve, 350.org Executive Director. “In the face of intensifying climate impacts, and regressive and anti-climate governments like the Trump administration, it’s more critical than ever that our institutions — especially at the local level — step up to break free from fossil fuel companies.”

What started as a campaign on university campuses in the United States has now become a mainstream, global movement permeating every sector of society. Divestment commitments and campaigns stem from all types of institutions: from universities and pension funds, to faith-based groups and health organizations, to the insurance sector and cultural institutions, and more.

Around the world, cultural institutions are taking leadership in the transition away from fossil fuels. The New York-based American Museum of Natural History responded to a campaign driven by scientists and activists calling for it to cut ties with fossil fuels, revealing it has reduced exposure of its $650 million endowment to coal, oil and gas, and is seeking portfolio managers who incorporate climate risk and prioritize renewables.

Five days ahead of the release of this report, campaigners with Divest Nobel released a letter signed by 17 Nobel laureates around the world, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, calling on the Nobel Foundation to act in Alfred Nobel’s will and divest from fossil fuels.  

Question for this article:

Despite the vested interests of companies and governments, Can we make progress toward sustainable development?

Divestment: is it an effective tool to promote sustainable development?

Speakers at today’s press conference stressed the importance of divestment and climate action at the city and state level. Boeve announced that in just three days, on December 15, organizers with Divest New York will take action at a New York City pension board meeting calling on decision-makers to divest fully from fossil fuels and reinvest in a sustainable, local economy.

In October, the Diocese of Umuarama, which encompasses 45 parishes and about 490,000 inhabitants in Brazil, became the first Diocese, and the first institution in Latin America, to divest from fossil fuels.

“We cannot accommodate and continue allowing economic interests that seek exorbitant profits before the well being of people, to destroy biodiversity and ecosystems, nor continue dictating our energy model based on fossil fuels when we have so many other possibilities for clean, renewable energies,” said Dom Frei João Mamede Filho, Bishop of the Diocese of Umuarama, Brazil.

Today, several press events took place across the globe to showcase  this major milestone for the divestment movement. Notable speakers, such as former Executive VP of Mobil Lou Allstadt, Aine O’Gorman, a student representing recently-divested Trinity College of Dublin, and Mark Campanale of Carbon Tracker Initiative were featured at a video-press conference between New York City and London.

Campaigners in Cape Town held a press conference featuring, among others, the Anglican Church of South Africa who recently committed to divest. Coordinated events also took place in Tokyo, where organizers worked with Arabella Advisors to hold a media study session of the report. In Australia, faith groups hosted a webinar highlighting the moral imperative of fossil fuel divestment.

As the movement celebrates this tremendous milestone, it recognizes the increasingly urgent need for bold and swift action on the climate crisis.

“Fossil fuel divestment has become a mainstream $5 trillion movement because our institutions and society know that we need a rapid and just shift away from the fossil fuel economy,” said Yossi Cadan, 350.org Global Senior Divestment Campaigner. “But many institutions are moving far too slowly. That’s why we will take action around the world in May 2017 through global mobilisations to shine a spotlight on the impacts of the fossil fuel industry, and escalate the call for governments and institutions to divest.”

The Global Divestment Mobilisation for a fossil free world will take place between 5-13 of May, 2017

(Thank you to Janet Hudgins, the CPNN reporter for this article)

global, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

‘Fascist Rhetoric’ Becoming Commonplace in US and Europe: UN

…. HUMAN RIGHTS ….

An article by Nadia Prupis for Common Dreams (reprinted according to provisions of Creative Commons)

The “rhetoric of fascism” is on the rise in the U.S. and Europe, a United Nations official warned on Thursday, a disturbing trend that puts “unprecedented pressure” on human rights standards around the world.

“Anti-foreigner rhetoric full of unbridled vitriol and hatred is proliferating to a frightening degree, and is increasingly unchallenged,” said Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, the U.N. human rights chief. “The rhetoric of fascism is no longer confined to a secret underworld of fascists, meeting in ill-lit clubs or on the ‘Deep Net.’ It is becoming part of normal daily discourse.”


People protest in the wake of Donald Trump’s election. (Photo: Ben Alexander/flickr/cc)
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Speaking ahead of International Human Rights Day on December 10, Zeid warned that “if the growing erosion of the carefully constructed system of human rights and rule of law continues to gather momentum, ultimately everyone will suffer.”

The failure of global leaders to deal with complex social issues like the massive wealth gap, discrimination, and climate change have led to growing numbers of people to turn to “the siren voices exploiting fears, sowing disinformation and division, and making alluring promises they cannot fulfill,” he said, in a nod to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.

“Discrimination, yawning economic disparities, and the ruthless desire to gain or maintain power at any cost are the principal drivers of current political and human rights crises,” he said.

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Question related to this article:

What is the state of human rights in the world today?

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Zeid’s warning came just before far-right Dutch politician Geert Wilders—who is widely expected to win the upcoming March election for Prime Minister—was convicted of inciting discrimination for saying the Netherlands would be better off with fewer Moroccans.

During a municipal election campaign in the Hague in March 2014, Wilders, leader of the Party for Freedom, asked a crowd of people attending a rally if they wanted “more or fewer Moroccans in this city and in the Netherlands.” The crowd chanted back, “Fewer! Fewer!” Wilders, smiling at the reaction, responded, “We’re going to take care of that.”

Friday’s verdict indicated that Wilders had planned the comments as a stunt, with the judges finding evidence that his team had coached the crowd how to respond, and saying that it was intended to be insulting to Moroccans.

Although Wilders was convicted of inciting discrimination, he was acquitted of hate speech charges, and the panel rejected prosecutors’ requests to fine or jail him. As the BBC reports, the verdict will have little impact on Wilders’ political aspirations.

Zeid has previously named Wilders, among other high-profile politicians such as Trump and the U.K.’s Nigel Farage, as demagogues whose rhetoric is poised to bring about “colossal violence” against minorities. He has also said Trump was “dangerous” for the international community. Under Zeid’s leadership, the U.N. human rights office is readying to condemn Trump if he puts any of his xenophobic or discriminatory policies into effect.

On Thursday, Zeid urged all people to “push back the violence and hatred which threaten our world.”

“Human rights are for everyone, and everyone will be affected if we do not fight to preserve them,” he said. “They took decades of tireless effort by countless committed individuals to establish, but—as we have seen all too clearly in recent months—they are fragile. If we do not defend them, we will lose them.”

global, HUMAN RIGHTS, United Nations,

Laureates and scientists call on Nobel Prize Foundation to divest fossil fuels

. . SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT . .

An article from gofossilfree.org

Citing the urgency of climate change, Nobel Prize winners and scientists have issued a letter calling on the Nobel Foundation to divest its $420 million endowment from fossil fuels. The letter coincides with the celebration of Nobel Days and the annual prize ceremonies.


Divest Nobel serve up oil and coal to Nobel nominees in Stockholm, November 2016
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The call from laureates and climate scientists cites the original intent of the Foundation – an organisational mission to recognize all that is good and innovative about humankind – to make the argument that the foundation cut ties with destructive fossil fuel companies.

Among the 14 laureates that signed the letter are atmospheric chemist Paul Josef Crutzen, physicist David Wineland and biologist Sir John Sulston, and several winners of the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize including Iranian human rights activist Shirin Ebadi, Yemeni women’s rights campaigner Tawakkol Karman and Argentinian human rights and peace activist Adolfo Pérez Esquivel. The letter has also been signed by eminent scientific contributors to the Nobel-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

It’s hard to argue with Nobel Laureates who have made such incredible scientific discoveries, advanced human rights and helped foster peace and ends to major regional conflicts.

The laureates and scientists called on the Foundation to lead and set an example for the world, writing: “The Nobel Foundation has played a historic role in the struggle against climate change by recognising people who have highlighted and studied humankind’s impact on the climate. Today, in this time of urgent need, as we face a warming planet and strive to implement the Paris Agreement, we ask you to do more. Our educational and cultural institutions must do more than educate, they must be an example of a new pathway forward, free from the industries that have caused the most damage to our climate.”

Activists in Sweden, part of the Divest Nobel campaign, have already taken action by highlighting the links between the foundation’s investments and fossil fuel companies. Now with laureates and scientists joining the call, they hope the Foundation will be forced to listen – and act.

More than 600 institutions, foundations, universities and pension funds are already leading by committing to divest from destructive fossil fuel companies. Tell Nobel to join them and act on the message from laureates and scientists by adding your own name.

Sign the petition calling on Nobel Foundation to divest

(Thank you to Janet Hudgins, the CPNN reporter for this article)

Question for this article:
global, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT