| 1. Global Constitution Forums: |
| a. Biennial face-to-face meetings. b. Single-topic symposia. |
| 2. Impact Institutes: |
| a. The American Idea Institute. b. Barristers Without Borders. c. Corporations Serving Humanity. d. Journalism Institute. |
Mission and Method: In a sense, our method is our mission: DIALOGUE. In order to move to a world beyond war, we believe we will need what we call a “Broad March Toward Peace.” In order to begin that march, we need to elevate the dialogue, both amongst ourselves and with others. Thus, we propose to: 1) elevate the dialogue, and 2) disseminate the resultant consensus and transform it into right action. We do not come with ready-made solutions. These will come from those who choose to participate in this dialogic process—as speakers, attendees, student volunteers, faculty collaborators, and funding entities. Our role is simple: to foster and maintain the integrity of the dialogic process. We do believe that a new “global architecture for peace” is necessary, if humanity is to move beyond the Nuclear Age. Hence, the word “constitution” in our name. But precisely what that architecture might look like and how we might get there is subject to much debate: hence, these “forums.” At these forums, we intend to bring some of the finest minds in the world, of somewhat varying views and disciplines, into dialogue on issues such as: |
| 1) What forms of global governance, including world federalism, might be necessary for a safe and sustainable future? In the short run, can we at least secure some kind of consensus-values-based pluralistic global order? 2) Is UN reform worthwhile or a hopeless cause: what kinds of changes might work; are there alternative approaches that might work, such as the Law of the Sea approach, which bypass the UN Security Council altogether? 3) Is it possible to create a meaningful UN peacekeeping force and the concomitant global institutions that could prevent genocide and, ultimately, nuclear war? 4) Is it possible to abolish nuclear weapons without alternative global security arrangements already in place, or can the existing treaty system manage to do this, ala the McCloy-Zorin Agreement of 1961? 5) Is nuclear energy a viable partial answer to the problem of global warming, or is it instead a threat in view of waste disposal, nuclear proliferation, and terrorist-targeting problems? 6) What actually works in the area of economic development? 7) What is the nature of social change, and what is the role of education, People Power, and leaders? 8) What to do next? These are merely illustrative of the broad range of topics we might address. These are difficult questions, issues that need to be fully and deliberately explored, in an interdisciplinary process over several days, days in which participants will be more or less forced to learn about the interrelatedness of the problems, and each other. Of course, these are more than “issues,” these are terribly serious problems and whatever differences there may be as to their solution, it is clear that our current approaches are not working well. But we are optimists. If we can do the Manhattan Project, we can also do a “Reverse Manhattan Project.” In sum, the need is clear and the time is now. Anyone who has had their ear to the ground in recent months has picked up on a growing groundswell movement for social change. But we need everyone. We cannot do this alone, and we will not do this alone. We will collectively find the solutions to at least some of the above problems. GCF and Impact Institutes: |
| 1. GCF and its Allies: GCF is a new 501c3 corporation run by a Board of Directors and assisted by an Advisory Council [see below]. Further, we have another group, Citizens for Global Solutions-Philadelphia Region, which voted to focus on helping GCF as their “project” for 2007-2008. We also maintain collaborative ties with a number of other groups both locally and nationally, including UNA, WILPF, and Project on Nuclear Awareness (a consortium of local groups, such as PSR-Philly and Global Security Institute and Business Leaders for Sensible Priorities). Finally, we have been making contact with a host of other organizations, who we believe might wish to attend our GCF forums [our “invitees” list is over 60 pages]. 2. Global Constitution Forums: We want to have biennial face-to-face gatherings of some of the finest minds in the world, of various disciplines and somewhat varying views, and bring them into deep dialogue, in order to “elevate the dialogue” on how to secure global peace and justice. This is worth doing. This will be an antidote to the excessive specialization found at most universities, and will bridge differences between activist groups that for too long have pursued their particularistic agendas in isolation. We believe profoundly in the value of “that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.” [University of Wisconsin Bascom Hall plaque]. In fact, it was precisely that kind of dialogic process that led to the shape that the GCF forums now take. We intend to have a combination of academics and activists, retired military and current statesmen, and just a good mix of viewpoints, including some people that we know in advance have views other than our own. 3. Symposia: As we identify particular topics of special immediacy and pertinence, we will hold symposia on single topics, e.g.: a) the proposal for a UN Emergency Peace Service; b) Iraq (what to do); c) the Middle East (what to do); d) UN 2.0; and e) nuclear energy. These need not be held in Philadelphia. 4. Impact Institutes: GCF is committed to converting ideas into action. Although the following proposed institutes are only in the planning stages, they give an indication of our tentative working theories of social change: |
| a. The American Idea Institute: Designed to educate the “next generation” of Americans as to our constitutional roots and the American idea, while restoring us as a beacon of hope in the world, this separate entity could focus on Teacher Training Institutes, American Idea Reading Groups, American Idea Theatre, and Restoring Our Democracy projects. Care must be exercised to avoid being too controversial or too parochial, and we believe it is possible to obtain this happy medium with the help of advisors and board members and consultants such as Gordon S. Wood, John Bogle, Walter Isaacson, Akhil Reed Amar, Seth Green; Wendy Kopp; Marty York; and Richard Dreyfuss. b. Barristers Without Borders: Attorneys and judges from 193 countries would form up 193 individual chapters, providing input to GCF on a wide variety of possible topics, e.g.: i) the role of law in securing peace and justice; ii) human rights; iii) international tax law reform; and iv) regulating the international economy. GCF would not try to define in advance the mission of BWB, leaving that to its own independent board. c. Corporations Serving Humanity: While some are ready to abolish corporations because of the excesses of a few, we believe that they are a powerful resource which should be used, involving prominent business leaders, to do some real good in the world. Among the names that come immediately to mind that could constitute such a powerhouse board are: Warren Buffett [concerned re nuclear weapons]; Ted Turner [has done more to improve East-West relations and the world in general than just about anybody]; Yang Yuanqing [Chair, Lenovo]; Jeffrey R. Immelt; Sir Richard Branson; and Bill Gates. Again, an independent board would define their mission, which could relate to matters such as economic development, grassroots-based-local-materials-eco-housing, green buildings; and innovative health products such as LifeStraw. d. Journalism Institute: We would like to name this institute after Edward R. Murrow. It would work with existing institutes to improve the competence and independence of the media, especially in the area of global peace and justice. This group might work well with AII to assist programs in high schools An independent board made up of the likes of Walter Cronkite, Bill Moyers, George Clooney, Tim Russert, Helen Thomas, David Gregory, Keith Olberman, Christiane Amanpour, Robert Fisk, Tom Ferrick, and Jon Stewart could help with this work. |
| 5. Interrelationships and leveraging: Although GCF will be independent of the four institutes, and each will be separately incorporated with their own agendas, there is an opportunity for very productive cross-fertilization of ideas and resources here, which will permit a very efficient leveraging of any resources obtained. Who We Are Advisory Council: Oscar Arias (Nobel Peace Laureate, Costa Rica); Prof. David Christensen (Illinois; taught “Alternatives to War”; author of two books: “Healing the World” and “Earth is Overpopulated Now”); Ambassador Carlton Coon (Wash., D.C.; author of “One Planet”); Susan Curry (Pres., Alliance for a Sustainable Future); Doug Everingham (Former MP, Australia; Member, Australian National Consultative Committee on Peace and Disarmament); Prof. Dietrich Fischer (Dir., European Centre for Peace Studies, Austria); Prof. Ashok Gangadean (Dir., Global Dialogue Institute, Haverford College); Myron Kronisch (Trustee, Citizens for Global Solutions; New Jersey); Cleo Michelsen (Charter Member, United World Federalists; Virginia); Robert Muller (Former UN Undersecretary General; author of “Most of All, They Taught Me Happiness”); Joel Mynders (Businessman, Lecturer & Author, Philadelphia); Prof. Dingli Shen (Founder, China’s first arms control NGO; did post-doctoral work on arms control at Princeton); Sanjeev Singh (Economic Development Consultant, South Africa); Robert Stuart (Chair Emeritus of Association to Unite the Democracies, Florida); Dr. Keith Suter (Director of Studies, International Law Association, Radio & TV Commentator and Mentor of JTR for past 25 years; Australia); Henry Thiagaraj (Founder, Human Rights Education Movement, India); Prof. Kenji Urata (Vice-President of International Association of Lawyers Against Nuclear Arms, Japan); and Lucy Law Webster (Exec. Dir., Center for War/Peace Studies, NYC). Board of Directors: James T. Ranney, Esq. (Chair, GCF; former law professor [taught seminar on “Law and World Peace”]); Vince della Penna (Business Development Consultant; Wash., D.C.); Marjorie Ewbank (Former Pres., Campaign for World Government; Newtown, PA); Joy Harbeson (Former Chair, Citizens for Global Solutions, Philadelphia); Chuck Melchior (Citizens for Global Solutions, Kennett Square, PA); Pamela Packard (Treasurer, Citizens for Global Solutions, Merion, PA); Paul Raynault (Founder, Student World Assembly, Englewood, NJ); Hank Stone (Pres., Coalition for a Democratic World Government, Rochester, NY); and Barbara Walker (Princeton, NJ; author of “Uniting the Peoples and the Nations”). Contact information: James T. Ranney, Chair Global Constitution Forums 1018 W. Cliveden St., Philadelphia, PA 19119-3701; 215-849-9165 Email addresses: jamestranney@comcast.net; Web address: . WHERE WE’RE COMING FROM: GCF’S FUNDAMENTAL VALUES: Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Mahatma Gandhi: “The future depends on what we do in the present.” WILPF Motto: “Another world is possible; another U.S. is necessary.” Noam Chomsky: “[Y]ou keep plugging away—that’s the way social change takes place. That’s the way every social change in history has taken place; by a lot of people, who nobody ever heard of, doing work.” Thomas Paine: “We have it in our power to begin the world over again.” University of Wisconsin Regents: “Whatever may be the limitations which trammel inquiry elsewhere, we believe that [we] should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.” Bill Wickersham: “When people tell me there is nothing they can do to prevent nuclear war, my usual reply is, ‘Yes, there is something you can do. You can educate yourself and others. Education is an essential ingredient for the solution of any social problem.’ In order for us to free ourselves of the nuclear warfare trap, we obviously have to have social and political change. Social and political change requires attitudinal change. Attitudinal change requires education.” Dwight David Eisenhower: “I like to believe that people in the long run are going to do more to promote peace than are governments. Indeed, I think that people want peace so much that one of these days governments had better get out of the way and let them have it.” Pablo Neruda: “I still have absolute faith in human destiny, a clearer and clearer conviction that we are approaching a great common tenderness. I write knowing that the danger of the bomb hangs over all our heads, a nuclear catastrophe that would leave no one, nothing on this earth. Well, that does not alter my hope. At this critical moment, in this flicker of anguish, we know that the true light will enter those eyes that are vigilant. We shall understand one another. We shall advance together. And this hope cannot be crushed.’ Bertrand Russell: “I put first among the gains to be expected [from abolition of nuclear weapons] the removal of that terrible load of fear which weighs at present upon all those who are aware of the dangers with which mankind is threatened. I believe that a great upsurge of joy would occur throughout the civilized world, and that a great store of energies now turned to hate and destruction and futile rivalry would be diverted into creative channels, bringing happiness and prosperity to parts of the world which throughout long ages, have been oppressed by poverty and excessive toil. I believe that the emotions of kindliness, generosity and sympathy, which are now kept within iron fetters by the fear of what enemies may do, would acquire a new life and a new force and a new empire over human behavior. It needs only that men should permit themselves a life of freedom and hope from which they are now excluded by the domination of unnecessary fear.” Euripedes: “There be many things of mystery; and many things God makes to be; Past hope or fear; And the end men looked for cometh not; But a path is there, where no man thought.” |