Call to Action - End the war in Ukraine!

We, the members of the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) -  Peace Education Working Group (PEWG) listed as signatories below, call on Putin and the government of the Russian Federation to end the war in Ukraine. There can be no winner in this war. The ongoing devastation, death, and atrocities, leading to millions of refugees and Internally Displaced People (IDP), cannot be justified. The refugees are mostly women and children whose lives now are filled with fear, misery and trauma. War is never the answer to any conflict and always has far-reaching negative consequences in human, material and environmental terms.

We urge the United Nations Security Council, to fulfil its mandate and primary responsibility enshrined in the UN Charter, for the “maintenance of international peace and security” (Article 24). The current situation threatens global peace and affects the lives of millions of people in many countries.

We urge all state leaders, particularly those who may still have influence over the government of the Russian Federation, to use that influence to end hostilities, for the sake of the people of Ukraine who are most affected, for the sake of humanity, and for the overall safety of our planet. We appeal to you to use all diplomatic means available for this purpose.

We urge humanitarian agencies to provide for basic needs and psycho-social support for refugees and IDPs, particularly for the psycho-social support for children in schools.

As peace educators working around the world, we know the seeds of hatred that are fomented and reinforced, often in schools,  in the lead up and aftermath of any armed hostilities. This can take generations to heal. We call upon leaders of educational institutions, universities and schools to address any campaign of misinformation and propaganda feeding this conflict. As true educators, we must prepare our students to be informed critical thinkers and to be able to challenge the rhetoric of division and hate to help achieve a shared state of global peace now and in the future.

Once this war ends, it must end for the sake of all, education for peace will be crucial. People will have to learn to live together again, how to overcome the trauma of war and destruction and restore peace in their communities.

Managing conflict without violence begins by taking root in our hearts and minds and then is demonstrated in our actions. We see how the reliance on military force for political or territorial gain is not a solution and makes conflicts worse. Our resolve to educate for peace and nonviolent alternatives has intensified so that all people can live secure and full lives wherever they are in the world.

Sincerely,

• Gary Shaw, Chair, Peace Education Working Group, GPPAC (Australia, Pacific)
• Jennifer Batton, Co-Chair, Peace Education Working Group, GPPAC (USA, North America); Lecturer, Cleveland State University
• Jorge Baxter, Member, Peace Education Working Group, GPPAC (Colombia, South America); Associate Professor, University of the Andes
• Loreta N. Castro, Member, Peace Education Working Group, GPPAC (Philippines, Southeast Asia); Center for Peace Education, Miriam College & Pax Christi Philippines
• Gail Reyes Galang, Member, Peace Education Working Group, GPPAC (Philippines, Southeast Asia); Chair, Family Studies Program; Associate Director, Center for Peace Education; Associate Professor, Department of Psychology; President, Maryknoll/Miriam College Alumni Association
• Tony Jenkins, Member, Peace Education Working Group, GPPAC (USA, North America); Coordinator, Global Campaign for Peace Education; Director, International Institute on Peace Education; Lecturer, Georgetown University
• Ketei Matsui, Member, Peace Education Working Group, GPPAC (Japan, Northeast Asia); Professor, Department of Global Citizenship Studies, Seisen University; Global Campaign for Peace Education, Japan; Religions for Peace, Japan Committee; International Association for Liberal Religious Women.
• Jose F. Mejia, Member, Peace Education Working Group, GPPAC (Colombia, South America); Executive Director, Aulas en Paz
• Kazuya Asakawa, Member, Peace Education Working Group, GPPAC (Japan, Northeast Asia); Research Fellow, PRIME, International Peace Research Institute, Meiji Gakuin University
• Gohar Markosyan, Member, Peace Education Working Group, GPPAC (Armenia);Women for Development, NGO
• Jae Young Lee, Member, Peace Education Working Group, GPPAC (South Korea, Northeast Asia); Director, Korea Peacebuilding Institute & Korea Association for Restorative Justice
• Edita Zovko, Member, Peace Education Working Group, GPPAC (Bosnia & Herzegovina, Balkans); Nansen Dialogue Centre Mostar