Culture and Media

The nuclear industry, already frazzled behind toughened and high barricades, is now under further onslaught from the anti nuclear community that has readied a sonic Molotov in the form of a music, poetry and sounds CD recorded and released from Hong Kong. The motor force behind this non-violent munition is long time local rocker Lenny Kwok (Len Guo) of Blackbird infamy.

“I think that everyone involved in or studying Occupy or Town Square or 15M and the Arab uprisings should consider that this is a ‘Values’ based movement, not an ideologically driven one. We should throw away our group banners, our more superficial reasons for being involved, and take on the core value of simply actively, non-violently expressing our wish for a better world.”

In Bangladesh, the group completed the legalization process for ownership of the land which is about 55 kilometers from Dhaka, at Bitipara, Gazipur, and the members are now laying the brick-and-concrete foundations for the Centre of Studies. What is taking place in Bangladesh is being repeated across Asia with like Parks in various stages of completion.

We interviewed Yordos, a young Greek who came in these days to Madrid to participate in the 15O, and to strengthen ties with the Spanish indignant. He sayd to us: “…We don’t have to wait for others to decide for our lives and how those should be. The squares are waiting for us and I am sure that we people, through debate and dialogue, can find the ways to improve our lives.”

In the Week of Nonviolence in Mar del Plata, there was a debate on “Violence and Media. Contributions for a more inclusive communication”. Pressenza’s experience and contribution in the construction of an agenda relating to nonviolence was displayed, in contrast to the constant violent look emitted by the major media in Argentina.

On 25 September a caravan of awareness on peace and nonviolence is being launched, towards Nouakchott,
capital of Mauritania, by the Mauritanian Association for a World Without Wars and Violence in
collaboration with the Organization for African Integration (OAI). This action will last a week reaching
completion with a march for nonviolence on 2 October this year.

It is a year now that Silo left us in his physical body, bequeathing us and everyone a valuable message of the way of active non-violence to take mankind into a benign and adventurous yet non-harming future. We give thanks to Silo this day and carry on the good work. We watch as the protagonists of an open future take to the streets.

Thousands of students and pupils in education establishments around the world are preparing themselves for the “runthisway” project, a project getting people running to promote peace and nonviolence. Social movements around the world have sprung up this year and many have chosen non-violent means to achieve their aims. This initiative aims to support this trend.

Where is our current society heading: as events escalate, as violence becomes more and more
globalized each day? Is there a way out?

In the last few years, we have seen new conflicts and new forms of corruption emerge, we have seen
ecological and financial disasters. Theses events are entertwined and cause rapid changes.

A humanist work camp is scheduled to start October 10, 2011, organised in Panauti, Nepal, as the initial efforts to establish Nepal’s Park of Study & Reflection. This is a small town 32km south east of Nepal’s capital Kathmandu. Panauti is renowned for its rich history, cultural activities, artistic buildings and year-round festivals.