Ten non-governmental organizations (NGOs) announced yesterday that they have joined the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC), an international civic movement aimed at promoting peace.
\n"GPPAC is perhaps the largest peace-building organization in the world. Wars are usually initiated by a nation's government, which the people have no control over. How-ever, being the global citizens we are today, civilians should have a voice about wars," said Chien Hsi-chieh, executive director of Peacetime Foundation of Taiwan.
\nThe anti-Iraqi war movement in 2003, Chien pointed out, was a good example of an anti-war movement that lacked in overall organization and structure, as most of the activities occurred online.
\nAs a result, although the anti-war voices of civilians were strong, they had little impact on a government's decision to wage war.
\nGPPAC was formed in response to the call by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 2003 for a worldwide conflict-prevention community.
\nOther groups that joined GPPAC include the Awakening Foundation, Taiwan Security Research Center, Taiwan Labor Front, Taiwan Environmental Protection Union, Alliance for Peace Homeland and Youth Rights Alliance.
\nPhilip Yang (
PHOTO: GEORGE TSORNG, TAIPEI TIMES
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