Opinions

This exhibit at the German Historical Museum shows 50 years of history. From 1920 with the appearance of Hitler as the “drummer” announcing the imminent arrival of a saviour to Hitler’s elevation to power in 1933 as the “Fuehrer” to his fiery departure in 1945 and final disappearance with the scattering of his ashes in 1970.

Rafael de la Rubia, spokesperson for last year’s World March for Peace and Nonviolence talks about Egypt, Tunisia and the implications for the Arab world. Highlighting the essential role of nonviolence de la Rubia pays tribute to the young people who drove the process to its conclusion. “They have given the rest of the world a Master Class in non-violent revolution.”

“Getting rid of dictators is not enough. Building a civic participatory society is not easy – Europe’s enlightenment did not come just from removing a few dictators,” a Palestinian friend said to me recently. “People’s expectation raised for change will dash against the reality that it will take decades to create systems of governance, accountability, economic justice…”

Rebellion is in the air. The people of Egypt have given us a shining example of the power of nonviolent protest combined with absolute determination. But theirs is not the only example.
The Egyptian revolt was sparked by one in Tunisia that echoed in Syria, Jordan, Algeria, Yemen. Something is stirring in the Arab world. But that’s not all.

The majority of journalists, media people, commentators and intellectuals from the main broadcasting channels do not seem to be able to perceive in depth what is happening in Egypt. And we must bear in mind that the massive demonstrations or social unrest are only an indication of the “new world which is already arriving”.

After 18 days of the popular uprising, Mubarak resigned and fled the country. Egypt displayed the greatest expression of the strength of non-violence. Some nay-sayers, who were more interested in silencing the mass movement with gunfire rather than avoiding bloodshed, were announcing “civil war” . No bloodshed occurred.

Here we publish complete the Press Release text that the international organization “World Without Wars and Without Violence” communicated today, in reference with the recent facts developed in Egypt.
Such organism, forms part of the Humanism Movement and was the one coordinating the “World March for Peace and Non Violence” that finished on 2010.

People’s expectation raised for change will dash against the reality that it will take decades to create systems of governance, accountability, economic justice, etc to allow for unleashing the great potential in the Arab world – natural resources, water, educated hard-working middle class etc. It is critical that people begin to chart this future honestly and pragmatically.

The Spokesperson of World without Wars and Violence writes a series of articles envisioning how a future society based on peace and nonviolence could be. The Argentine philosopher and author, Silo, called this world the Universal Human Nation. In this first article the political geography is dealt with, outlining possible new foundations for such a society.

Akwaaba, which means “welcome,” was the first word I came across upon my arrival in Ghana. Many people identify Africa with words that have negative connotations, such as poverty, conflict or disease. However, there is much more to this vast continent than such associations. This is what I learn during my one-year visit to Ghana. I found so much hope and potential there.