U.S. Department of Peacebuilding: Legislation introduced, contact Congress!

“When I try to envision the future of our country, I see a nation where peace,
and the conditions that are necessary for peace, are top priorities.”
~ U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee

We are excited to announce that legislation calling for the establishment of a cabinet-level U.S. Department of Peacebuilding (new title*) was reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Barbara Lee (CA-13).  Let’s show our support!

Tell Congress today that you want them to co-sponsor the Dept. of Peacebuilding and make peace one of our nation’s top priorities! >>

Imagine: a nation where peacebuilding has a voice and a choice in the U.S. cabinet —
where key policy decisions are discussed and prioritized.

Your support for a U.S. Dept. of Peacebuilding is a declaration that you want a more peaceful, socially just nation. Shifting focus towards peacebuilding and a culture of peace is our collective choice.  Now is the time to urge our elected officials to make peace and nonviolence initiatives a central part of our national agenda and our Federal Government!

5 Key Reasons why you should take action:

• Secretary of Peacebuilding positioned at the highest level of government.
• Peacebuilding is cost effective: By promoting effective violence prevention policies and programs, we help decrease the federal deficit and channel funds toward positive change.
• Root Cause: This bill addresses and corrects the underlying, systemic causes of violence and cultivates conditions for peace.
• Violence is costly.  A recent report from the Institute for Economics and Peace estimates that in the U.S., annual violence containment costs around $2.16 trillion dollars, money that could go to schools, and myriad social justice initiatives.
• History making: All great social change, from women’s suffrage to civil rights, although taking time and commitment, ultimately created sweeping, positive shifts benefiting all humanity.

Help Spread the Word!

Before his passing, Walter Cronkite said about the legislation and our work: “It’s not just a matter of getting another Department in government; you are speaking of an entire philosophical revolution… This is a great start.”  It may take awhile to enact, but your support will advance the organizing principles and vision within the legislation, making them a priority and helping us continue to implement policies and legislation that will move us toward this powerful vision of a peaceful world.

*This bill follows closely to the U.S. Dept. of Peace legislation previously introduced by the departing Rep. Dennis Kucinich. The new bill number is the same, H.R. 808.

Show your support by taking action today!

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MORE ABOUT A U.S. DEPARTMENT OF PEACEBUILDING:

A Department of Peacebuilding would address the root causes of peace and apply our peacebuilding capacity in an organized and systematic approach using the resources of our people and our government.

Domestically, the Department of Peacebuilding will develop policies and allocate resources to effectively reduce the levels of domestic and gang violence, child abuse, and various other forms of societal discord.

Internationally, the Department will advise the President and Congress on the most sophisticated ideas and techniques regarding peace-creation among and within nations.

A DoP would:

• Institute offices of Peacebuilding Education and Training, Domestic Peace Activities, International Peace Activities, Arms Control and Disarmament;
• Work proactively and interactively with each branch of government on policy matters relating to conditions of peace;
• Offer experience and expertise of the people of the United States and seek participation in the development of policy from private, public and non-governmental organizations;
• Research effective violence reduction programs and promote and promulgate such programs within government and society;
• Develop new policies and programs and expand on existing effective policies and programs to address personal and family violence, to reduce prison recidivism, to develop and expand peace education curriculum in schools, to promote nonviolent conflict resolution strategies and civilian peacekeepers where appropriate.

Violence is costly.  A recent report from the Institute for Economics and Peace estimates that in the U.S., Violence Containment costs around 15% of Gross Domestic Product each year and is the largest discrete industry, costing around $2.16 trillion dollars.  Violence cuts across age, gender, ethnicity, religion, nationality.  Responding to conflict with violence is a learned response, as is nonviolence and learning far more effective conflict resolution techniques.

A U.S. Department of Peacebuilding is a multi-systems approach to violence prevention and intervention which will generate positive impact toward cultural nonviolence and set a strong precedent for the entire world.  It is time to unlearn violence and to learn peacebuilding.

Learn more: www.http://thepeacealliance.org/dop