The end of the year is associated with holidays, spending time with friends and family. It is also a time to reflect on what has happened in the year that is ending and the prospects for the coming year. So, as we pause for holidays it is a good time to consider the state of the world in terms of the progress for peace, human rights and social justice.
In this regard, 2024 will certainly be known as one in which war and militarism severely impacted peace, human rights and social justice. War and militarism impacts us all. While it is presented as the guarantor of peace and security, the past year again demonstrated that war and militarism negate peace and security.
In the past year a number of events have exacerbated the danger posed to humanity. The escalating war in Ukraine, the continuing destruction of the Palestinian people, the overthrow of the Assad government in Syria by sectarian and extremist forces, the regular news about a future war with Iran and China are part of this growing threat. The war in Ukraine in particular has pushed the world closer than ever to nuclear conflict.
Canadians will not escape the consequences of the growing international dangers. Though not yet physically touched by war, the calls for greater spending on military spending come with calls for deep cuts to social spending at time when Canadians face increasing economic worries, social crisis in their cities and the effects of a changing climate.
As dire as the current situation is, there is also resistance to it.
In November, the Canada Wide Peace and Justice Network, in conjunction with anti-war, anti-imperialist organizations in Quebec, hosted a day long meeting to counter the NATO Parliamentary Association summit being held in Montreal. This marked the beginning of new organizing to get Canada out of NATO. The week of January 17 to 24 will be a continuation of this with actions of all types across to raise awareness about the danger NATO poses to Canada and the world.
The most significant resistance has been in the form of mass actions across Canada (and the world) in support of the people of Palestine. These actions have been instrumental in driving the discourse about Gaza and Palestine, and serve as an example how people can move the struggle forward despite the resistance from official political circles.
It is up to us to change the situation. Take time this holiday season to discuss with family and friends these issues. If you haven’t signed the parliamentary petition for Canada to join the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, please do. It closes on January 6 and has reached the required 500 signatures, but the more, the merrier! Thank you!
Check out these two-page fact sheets below on peace and disarmament:
- Fact Sheet: Put Canada on a Path to Peace
- Fact Sheet: Canada and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
- Fact Sheet: Canada’s Carbon Bootprint: The Problem of Military Emissions and Military Expenditures
- Fact Sheet: The Harms and Risks of Fighter Jets and Why Canada Must Not Buy a New Fleet
- Fact Sheet: NATO is a Threat to People and the Planet