With the proposals presented by the social base, through a virtual platform, the process of incorporating popular initiatives into the drafting of the new Chilean Constitution is being carried out.

Among these initiatives is the one presented by one of the Communities of Silo’s Message – Santiago Meditates – a space for reflection that seeks to share experiences that help mutual recognition, appreciation and experience of the transcendent, promoting personal and social reconciliation, as well as nonviolent action.

This initiative has been presented to the Commission on Constitutional Principles, Democracy, Nationality and Citizenship in order to be considered for inclusion in the final text of the new Constitution, which is being drafted on the basis of citizens’ initiatives, if they manage to collect at least 15,000 signatures.

The title is “We are not at war with anyone. Chile repudiates and renounces war”, alluding to the fact that social conflicts in the world today, such as immigration, the environment, financial crises, climate change, among others, have meant an increase in the level of violence with which these situations develop. It is in this context that it seems necessary to learn how to solve the regional and global challenges that afflict the world’s societies in collaboration. In particular, Chile has signed several international treaties renouncing war as a form of conflict resolution. However, it seems important to elevate to constitutional level Chile’s principle or will to repudiate and renounce war and all armed conflict.

This initiative takes as a precedent the constitutional reform project presented, among others, by the deputy Tomás Hirsch and the current president-elect of the republic Gabriel Boric, on 22 October 2019.

Chile is building a society that learns to resolve conflicts without using violence in a regional atmosphere of trust and collaboration. It promotes and encourages the signing of treaties for progressive and proportional disarmament with the countries of the region, facing global conflicts together and being able to allocate more resources to the needs of the population and not to the threat of war. Its armed forces become a relevant actor in the collaborative resolution of social conflicts and cooperate in emergencies and catastrophes within and outside its territory.

In simple terms, the New Constitution should include, in order to make progress in the

1. The explicit repudiation and renunciation of war and all armed confrontation as a means of conflict resolution.
2. Specify the meaning of “legitimate self-defence” so that it does not serve as a justification for initiating armed conflict.
3. Promote a proportional and progressive reduction of the military budget in the region.
4. Collaborate in solidarity in the nonviolent resolution of international conflicts.

The repudiation and renunciation of war and armed conflict recognises and protects the value of human life by resisting the killing of human beings.
This proposes a direction of non-violent conflict resolution that will help not only at the international level, but especially at the national level.

In addition, it will create a regional atmosphere that will allow a decrease in war spending to be redirected to social rights. Being a patriot is much more than a territorial issue. To be a patriot is toworking for the well-being and dignity of the people who share a territory.

This proposal goes in the direction of promoting collaboration over competition as many philosophers and educators around the world are proposing; it is a way to prevent the state and the armed forces from being used for private ends or the manipulation of foreign powers or corporations.

Finally, the incorporation of these principles and commitments in the New Constitution will facilitate the redefinition of the role of the military for the new times.

The communities and organisations that support this proposal are inspired by Universalist Humanism and the spirituality of Silo’s message. We work for social change
social change while changing ourselves through spiritual practices, reconciling resentment, and acting with the methodology of active nonviolence. We
We are guided by the principle that says “treat others as you want to be treated”.

The repudiation of all forms of violence and of war, the most inhuman and atrocious, is a cry of humanity that we believe deserves to be elevated as a guiding principle of the state by this Constitutional Convention.

Proposed articles for the new Constitution

  • Chile repudiates and renounces the use of war and all armed confrontation as an instrument for the solution of disputes and conflicts between States.
  • Chile may exercise the right to legitimate self-defence in the event of a military attack by foreign forces, in order to defend the life or integrity of the population, bearing in mind the necessary proportionality, necessity and immediacy of the armed response. This right may not be invoked in order to execute or justify a military attack on foreign territory or as a means to an end other than that stated, in accordance with international treaties ratified by Chile and which are in force.
  • Chile undertakes to promote progressive and proportional disarmament among the countries of the region.
  • Chile undertakes to collaborate in solidarity in the resolution of international conflicts by means of nonviolence.