To strengthen the effectiveness of the peace and justice community in Minnesota by enabling member organizations to share their resources, insights and ideas and devise cooperative strategies to accomplish common goals.

MAP Position Statement with Guiding Principles

Introduction: Founded in 1995, the Minnesota Alliance of Peacemakers (MAP) is a coalition now comprising over seventy organizations with a collective membership of many thousands of concerned citizens. Nearly half of its institutional members are faith-based. Since its inception, MAP organizations have focused on issues relating to peace, justice and the environment. Periodically, MAP issues position statements on numerous issues of current and long-term concern that are of importance to its members. Here we update our positions in light of salient issues at the national and global level. The arrangement is in conformity with the ten major planks of MAP’s Guiding Principles (printed in bold italics below the accompanying Position Statement). These Guiding Principles are part of MAP’s Bylaws. 

1. The Primacy of Justice
   At all levels, greatly enhanced efforts are required to narrow unconscionable gaps in living standards between the rich and poor, to provide decent conditions of health and education for all people. Proactively addressing the causes of legitimate grievances in the world will be the most effective deterrent to terrorism.
   “Enduring Peace requires social and economic justice at all levels of human interaction, including global, national, state, local, neighborhood, workplace, and family or household.”

2. A World Based on Law Rather than Force
   The United States should desist from unilateral armed intervention and meddling in the affairs of other nations, and from playing the role of the world’s policeman. It should promptly ratify the statute of the International Criminal Court and promote greater use of the International Court of Justice.
   “Social organization and governance at any level must be based on the force of law, not on the law of force.”

3. Disarmament and Conflict Resolution
   MAP calls for massive reductions in US military spending, eliminating stockpiles of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) in our own and other countries, a universal ban on anti-personnel land mines, and drastic reduction in international shipments of small arms. We are deeply concerned that the research and development of ever-more-dangerous WMDs will make an already critical problem much worse.  We endorse establishing a cabinet-level US Department of Peace, advocate shutting down the School of the Americas (renamed the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation), and support the work of such organizations as the Minnesota-based Nonviolent Peace Force.
   “The enormous waste of the world’s resources on weapons and militarization must cease.  All forms of peaceful conflict resolution are to be supported.”

4. Support for the U.N. System
   The world requires a strengthened, better-funded United Nations with a more just and realistic system of decision making in the General Assembly and Security Council, and a standing, rapidly deployable UN police force. The UN must assume a greater, more proactive role in assisting failed and failing states, mediating international conflict, prevention of war, peace-building and, where necessary, peacekeeping.
   “The United Nations system provides a necessary institutional framework for nations to work together to avoid conflict and seek peace and justice for all people.  Substantial strengthening of the UN Charter to fit this changing world is needed to make the UN system more democratic and effective.”

5. A Healthy Ecosystem
   MAP endorses the Earth Charter. We call for tighter environmental standards in regard to emissions of toxic wastes and use of carcinogenic substances and urge speedy US ratification of the Kyoto Protocol on Global Warming and, at minimum, adherence to its provisions. We support bio-diversity and special protection for endangered species.
   “The well-being of the earth that provides all of the necessities of life is crucial for the well-being of people everywhere. The needs of plants and animals with which we share this earth must be recognized and their well-being must be protected.”

6. Unity in Diversity
   The cultures and rights of indigenous peoples must be respected and protected.
   Programs that promote intercultural and international exchange and understanding deserve public support and should be expanded. Budgets for the Peace Corps and Americorps, the Fulbright program and other such exchanges should be increased.
   “All human being are equal in dignity and worthy of respect.  Diversity among us, as among all life on earth, is to be sustained, and celebrated.  Cultural diversity is a precious heritage and should be promoted.”

7. Providing for Future Generations
   MAP supports more responsible parenting; urges greater use of alternative energy sources; advocates voluntary curbs on material consumption, especially of luxury goods; and calls for policies of sustainable development, cancellation of crippling international debt for the world’s poorest nations, and speedy achievement of the UN’s Millennium Development Goals.  We support initiatives such as the Apollo-Alliance Project that promote energy self-sufficiency with major reliance on benign, renewable energy sources.
   “For future generations to inherit a livable world, the twin threats of overpopulation and overconsumption must be addressed.  The developed world must reduce consumption substantially and help less affluent countries achieve economic sufficiency, in turn helping to reduce population growth.  Participatory democracy and civic responsibility need to be promoted.”

8. Fundamental Human Rights 
   MAP opposes all forms of intolerance, including, but not limited to, racism, ethnic profiling, religious discrimination, sexism, and ageism. We call for reform of the Patriot Act to end needless curbs on civil liberties. We demand an end to genocide, ethnic cleansing, all forms of torture, international rendition of political prisoners and abuses of the rights of populations in occupied areas such as Iraq and Palestine. We urge speedy US ratification of the Conventions on the Rights of Women (CEDAW) and the Rights of the Child.
   “All human beings are entitled to fundamental civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights.  These are set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in other covenants that have become a part of customary international law.  Persons who have been denied fundamental rights no matter what the circumstances, require special concern.”

9. Responsibility and Accountability
   All actors on the global and domestic stage should behave responsibly. Because of the immense power now wielded, both domestically and internationally, by large corporations, there is particular need for them to act responsibly. Failure to do so should result in sanctions, even – in extreme cases – revocation of corporate charters. The World Trade Organization, World Bank and International Monetary Fund and regional economic blocs must be democratized and their actions should be made more transparent and accountable.
   “The enjoyment of rights implies the acceptance of responsibilities and accountability, whether by individuals, governments, religious groups, corporations, the media, academia, or any other human institution.”

10. The Education of Children
    Curricula should be implemented to train young people to see themselves as world citizens as well as Americans, to promote civic education and to teach non-violent living and acting. Military recruitment should not be allowed in junior or senior high schools. Schools should celebrate September 21 as an International Day of Peace.
    “All children need a peaceful, nonviolent home environment; opportunity for spiritual growth; and an education that not only provides basic learning but emphasizes ethics and a global perspective.”

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 While collectively committed to advancing activities consistent with the foregoing set of principles, we recognize the necessity to work simultaneously at all levels of human interaction and encourage organizations and individuals within, as well as outside, our Alliance to address peace and justice concerns in whatever ways they deem most appropriate.

----Adopted on September 25, 1995, 
----Revised September 9, 2003
----Revised Summer 2005

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