I am pleased to report that the godforesaken little second rate trouble-pit on the outer limb of that third-rate galaxy -- the one with that dumply little system (Sol) on the edge of it -- has actually begun to turn around. You ay recall a short while ago the status reports from that sector indicated the pseudo-intelligent dominant species was on trend to extinguish itself with a small handful of local time frames.

Recently, however, other indications have begun to surface. The following is an excerpt from local transmissions captured using a primitive binary-value communication protocol the natives seem to have dreamed up on their own:

TOP FIVE REASONS TO HOPE
--------------------
The top five reasons to hope for world peace.

>>> 75 Million People Commit to Work for Peace <<<

In 1999, UNESCO and several Nobel Peace Laureates launched
the Manifesto 2000 signature campaign. The Manifesto 2000 is
not a petition; rather, it's a commitment by each person who
signs it to follow the six principles of a culture of peace
in his or her daily life, family, work and community:
1) respect all life
2) reject violence
3) share with others
4) listen to understand
5) preserve the planet
6) rediscover solidarity

The Manifesto 2000 has been signed by a staggering 75
million people worldwide, with more people signing every
day.

UNESCO's Director-General Matsuura stated that: "It is a
sign of hope that decision-makers, gathered at the
Millennium Summit, and civil society, represented by the
millions of signatories of the Manifesto 2000, share the
same commitment. For peace cannot be brought about by
decree. Whilst political, economic or military settlements
are necessary to establishing peace, they are not enough.
Each individual must uphold the commitment in practice, in
his or her daily life, through the simplest of acts. I am
delighted to see that the world movement for a culture of
peace is gathering momentum. During the International Decade
for the Promotion of a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for
the Children of the World, we will increase our efforts so
that it triumphs."

You can sign the Manifesto here:
http://www.9-11peace.org/r.php3?redir=58
 

>>> Disarmament in Ireland <<<

The peace process in Ireland, a country that has suffered
through years of conflict and terrorism, has made
significant gains in the past few months.

The Good Friday agreement has laid the foundation for a
lasting peace.
http://www.9-11peace.org/r.php3?redir=59

Arms decommissioning on the part of the IRA has indicated
that this peace process is genuine.
http://www.9-11peace.org/r.php3?redir=60
 

>>> Good News from the Balkans <<<

Yugoslavia has established a Commission for Truth and
Reconciliation, which is aimed at healing the wounds that
are at the roots of the conflicts there. Dr. Ibrahim
Rugova's and LDK's election victory also opens new prospects
for reconciliation in Kosovo/a, and non-violence has proved
to be stronger than police repression and authoritarian rule
in Serbia and stronger than extremist violence by the Kosovo
Liberation Army (KLA/UCK) in Kosovo.
 

>>> An Increasing Role for Women <<<

Although women are not yet represented in the Afghan
government to the degree that we would hope, the
international call for representation is a large step in the
right direction. And at the same time that the UN and
governments are beginning to understand the crucial role for
women in peacekeeping, a number of exciting, private-sector
organizations have started to study and support women
peacemakers. Over the next few years, we are hopeful that
women will be supported and encouraged in their engagement
with the conflict resolution process.

Here are a few organizations that work to support women in
making peace:

Mobilized Mothers
"Mobilized Mothers" describes hundreds of organizations that
are led by women trying to influence foreign policy outcomes
in conflict situations. Women are increasingly influential
in nongovernmental organizations, often steered by women,
and they occupy senior government positions with growing
frequency, according to the Women Waging Peace program.
http://fly.hiwaay.net/%7Egarson/mothers0501.htm

Women Waging Peace
From their website: "In the face of a new type of threat, we
need a new type of defense system--one that fosters
strategic personal relationships among people throughout the
world. Building relationships is a skill in which women have
excelled. Defying political stereotypes, in the Balkans,
Bosnian and Serb women are coordinating their pro-democracy
political campaigns. In Rwanda, Hutu and Tutsi women have
created micro-enterprise partnerships. Out of the depths of
this tragedy, policy makers would do well to reassess the
untapped resources of women throughout the peace building
process, thus formulating a new paradigm of inclusive
security."
http://www.9-11peace.org/r.php3?redir=62
 

>>> Innovation in Conflict Resolution <<<

Even as new wars break out and old conflicts smolder, new
technologies in conflict resolution are developing at a
rapid pace. The past few years have seen a swell of truly
innovative concepts in mediation and resolution which will
prove key in creating stable, long-term peace between
rivals. These vary from Americans planting trees and
unearthing land mines in Vietnam to "designer truth
commissions" that incorporate traditional elements and
ceremonies in bringing war criminals to justice. We don't
have space here to list even an adequate sampling of these
efforts, but here are some of our favorites:

The Compassionate Listening Project, founded in 1996, has
trained hundreds of American participants to listen to
thousands of Israelis and Palestinians with the intention of
discovering the human being behind the stereotype. No one
has declined a listening session. They have listened to
settlers, sheikhs, mayors, rabbis, students Bedouins, peace
activists and terrorists.
http://www.mideastdiplomacy.org/

The annual Agenda for Reconciliation conferences in Caux
have drawn people from over sixty countries in recent years.
Many come from situations of tension, others from areas of
open conflict, and still others struggling to rebuild after
conflict. AfR conferences are open to all to learn from one
another and AfR is ready to support any initiative or
request for help that is within its capacity to do so.
Currently, AfR encourages ongoing efforts of
nation-building, peace-making, and reconciliation in five
areas in the world where people of these nations are
actively involved. They are supported by those with relevant
experience from other countries. The AfR secretariat plays a
coordinating role. Areas focused on include Papua New
Guinea, Cambodia, Africa and the Middle East.
http://www.caux.ch/afr/afractivities.html
 
 

Regards,

Amos