Disarmament Week

24 to 30 October (international)

Many people believe that the world would be a better place with fewer weapons. For this reason, peace movements advocate for disarmament - aiming to convince nations to keep only weapons needed for an adequate police force. "Peace through Disarmament" is a major focus for the United Nations. The following is an excerpt from the vision statement of their Department for Disarmament Affairs:

"We acknowledge that disarmament alone will not produce world peace. Yet we also maintain that the elimination of weapons of mass destruction, illicit arms trafficking, and burgeoning weapons stockpiles would advance both peace and development goals. It would accomplish this by reducing the effects of wars, eliminating some key incentives to new conflicts, and liberating resources to improve the lives of all the peoples of the United Nations and the natural environment in which they live."

More info: http://www.un.org/depts/dhl/disarmament/index.html  and http://www.betterworld.net/movement/paths/disarmament.htm