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Peace Task Force

Overview of Policy on Peace

The Peace Task Force (PTF) envisions and seeks a global peaceable kingdom. The PTF works to galvanize efforts to bring to Congress peace-generating dialog and legislation by giving voice to organizations and individuals working for a sustainable peace. It is the intent of the PTF to educate members of Congress and to connect them with the groups that can empower legislators to advocate for policies that support peace.

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Policy Position Papers

Policy Positions Papers

The following documents describe our policies in depth on issues related to peace. Documents marked Final have been ratified by the PDA grassroots via our National Spokescouncil. Those marked NR are proposed statements which are not yet ratified. We encourage you to send comments or suggestions by clicking on the "comment" link after each draft.

Explanatory Notes:

The PTF examines and develops approaches to conflict that lead to peaceful non-violent responses between and within nations. Striving for sustainability as a standard in areas such as government, economics, politics, civil rights, human rights, agriculture, health care, labor, and education requires new thinking and the willingness to try new approaches. Redirecting resources toward peace, building "pillars of strength" for peace, and generating a full library of stories about peace and the inspiring possibilities of peace are essential to our work.

There are also immediate crises of war that must be addressed. PDA as a whole, and the PTF as a task force, is pursuing and supporting resolution to the Iraq war and rectification of the policies, actions, and interpretations of US law and the Constitution that allowed for this and other pending conflicts. There are many excellent analyses and papers available on this subject. The PTF encourages readers to examine Tom Hayden's recent Strategy for Ending the Iraq War and The Politics of Peace by W.C. Scheurer.

PTF brings attention to and supports organizations and individuals working on facets of peace. Groups such as the Peace Majority, American Friends Service Committee, Institute of Policy Studies, Fund For Peace, Peace Action, and United for Peace and Justice are but a few of the growing and exciting network of groups working to build a peaceful planet. Extensive lists of links are available at any of the above listed organizations. (See Resources for links.)

An examination of the impact and pervasiveness of war on our country is found in James Hillman's book, A Terrible Love of War or Chris Hedge's recent War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning. Understanding the war foundation upon which American culture has developed is enlightening when pursuing multi-level approaches to shifting policies and resources toward peace.

David Suzuki's Good News for a Change examines successful environmental resolutions with positive economic impacts on communities around the globe. In understanding creative approaches to crises, a similar sustainable, local approach can be applied to most pervasive issues facing the global community.

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What You Can Do

Our task force recommends the following actions for individuals and groups. Follow the links for tips, tools, and suggestions.

• Establish consistent communication with your Congress members.
• Organize a community forum on a sustainable policy approach for any number of issues, including environmental, economical, educational, political, etc.
• Support other organizations in your community and beyond that are exploring and developing sustainable policies.
• Provide your local government (city councils, selectmen, mayors, etc.) with literature and information about sustainable policies in regard to environment; health care, economies, etc. Follow through with dialog and an opportunity for questions.
• Send your state and federal representatives and senators information on policies being developed and/or supported in areas that facilitate peaceful, healthy, sustainable projects. Follow through with dialog and an opportunity for questions.
• Examine your own language. Demonstrate language that provides visuals for a peaceful planet without a reliance on the absence of, or a counter to, war and violence.
• Gain an understanding of how the branches of US government really work and of Constitutional Law, which is instrumental when working with the government. Educating ourselves and our communities and letting our elected officials know we not only understand the laws but expect them to uphold them (such as the War Crimes Act of 1996, Constitutional War Powers, etc.) can yield some leverage with Congress.

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Recommended Resources

Fund for Peace
Peace Action
Peace Majority
United for Peace and Justice
Good News for a Change by Davide Suzuki
A Terrible Love of War by James Hillman
War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning by Chris Hedges
The Politics of Peace by W.C. Scheurer
Strategy for Ending the Iraq War by Tom Hayden

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