IPB ROLE AT THE SUMMIT

IPB was represented by Anna Åkerlund, Ingeborg Breines and Jonathan Granoff, who in his capacity as Senior Advisor to the Secretariat, helped considerably in the preparation of the programme and the documents arising from the deliberations.

The presentation made by Ingeborg Breines on behalf of IPB in a panel discussion focussed on the importance of preventing conflicts from turning violent; on the insufficient investment in peace and the enormous gap between military and social expenditure, highlighting IPB´s campaign and project Sustainable Disarmament for Sustainable Development in this context; the need for a more long-term thinking to get us out of a humanitarian "fire-brigade" approach and into a more humanistic, gender-sensitive and comprehensive approach to world problems; and finally developed the vision of a culture of peace, illustrated e.g. by the UNESCO Manifesto 2000 on the culture of peace and non-violence

It was a particular honor to have an IPB representative chair the closing press conference at which the Laureates' statements were presented, as well as both of the plenaries on the first afternoon. IPB representatives were substantially involved in the final editing of the Charter, a document which an IPB representative has been intimately involved in crafting over the past few years, and integrating the interventions that arose during the deliberations into the text. The Three Questions arose directly from Jonathan Granoff’s presentation Axis of Responsibility which President Gorbachev enthusiastically encouraged be turned into a one page action plan.

Anna Åkerlund and Ingeborg Breines informed the meeting that IPB had endorsed the Charter for a World without Violence, and suggested amendments to strengthen it further. Almost all the suggested amendments were incorporated – and much appreciated. Ingeborg Breines participated substantially in the final editing.

Finally, we would like to take this opportunity to thank the IPB for giving us the opportunity to participate in the 8th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates. It has been a privilege to attend on behalf of IPB, and we have done our best to represent the organisation well. In so doing, we have shared knowledge, experience and ideas from IPB, and we feel that this has been met with much appreciation. For us, it has been an enriching experience to participate in the Summit.

Annexes (click to access): 

1. Summit Agenda (to follow in due course)
2. Charter for a World Without Violence
3. Three Questions To Fulfill Our Duty to Future Generations
4. Message from the UN Secretary General
5. Freedom from the Scourge of War
6. Axis of Responsibility

Ingeborg Breines, IPB Vice-President

Anna Åkerlund, Secretary-General Swedish Fellowship of Reconciliation
(IPB member organization)

Jonathan Granoff, President Global Security Institute
(IPB member organization) 

13 February 2008