Change.org

 

Ideas Home
»
Department of Peace
»
Suggestions

Suggestions for Action

What do you think is the most effective way to turn this idea into real policy? Add your suggestions here for how you think we should run an advocacy campaign to advance the idea – including the overall strategy, messaging, targets, and tactics.

Approach this from the standpoint that people reading this forum already agree with you on the importance of the issue, and are asking "What can we do to help make this a reality?"

You can also comment on and rank the suggestions submitted by others.

  1. sharon scott

    Connect with...FRIENDS COMMITTEE FOR NATIONAL LEGISLATION , a (Quaker lobby group) is located in an totally transformed environmentally-FRIENDLY, building located across from the Hart office building. They already are connected and hold regular meetings with peace-minded groups.

    Suggested by sharon scott on 01/18/2009 @ 10:25AM PT

  2. susan braito

    Teach anger management to every  American student starting in kindergarten & continuing through high school as a required part of the curriculum in every school that receives federal funds.

    Suggested by susan braito on 01/18/2009 @ 10:01AM PT

  3. Gerald Cook

    Promote the movie currently showing in Art theaters "Pray the Devil to Hell." It's a wonderful documentary on how the women of Liberia, Chistian and Muslum, helped end the civil war.

    Suggested by Gerald Cook on 01/18/2009 @ 09:58AM PT

  4. serena castaldi

    " My hope would be that sexual violence would be a top priority for such a department". Yes thank you for bringing up in this point. Women and children are major targets and the most invisible victims of violence, in the home, during wars and in the slave trade and beyond. Often with the encouragement or tacit approval from culture and religion.
    Serena Luce 1/18/09

    Suggested by serena castaldi on 01/18/2009 @ 09:48AM PT

  5. Kerry Painter

    How to implement the Department of Peace:

    First, stop making public belligerent comments about other world leaders.

    Second, stop falsely claiming that America is number 1 in areas that we are not.

    Third, require all of Mr. Obama's administration, all high school students, and all college students to read the following:

    - Howard Zinn's "A People's History of the United States":

    http://www.historyisaweapon.com/zinnapeopleshistory.html

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_People%27s_History_of_the_United_States

    - Nick Turse's "The Complex: How the Military Invades Our Everyday Lives":

    http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9780805078961-0

    http://www.powells.com/biblio?show=HARDCOVER:NEW:9780805078961:24.00&page=excerpt#page

    http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/174908

    http://www.motherjones.com/interview/2008/04/the-real-life-matrix.html

    http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/175014

    Fourth, begin dismantling the military-industrial-academic complex. Replace it with a peace-industrial-academic complex by reducing drastically (50% or more) the Pentagon budget. Move this money over to the Department of Peace.

    Fifth, implement the ideas found in H.R. 808:

    http://www.thepeacealliance.org/content/view/278/23/

    Sixth, help fund those non-profit news organizations that have been promoting peace and truth, such as:

    http://www.democracynow.org/

    http://www.commondreams.org/

    http://tomdispatch.com/

    http://www.truthout.org/

    http://www.thenation.com/

    http://www.alternet.org/

    http://www.amnesty.org/

    http://www.americanprogress.org/

    http://www.tompaine.com/

    http://www.motherjones.com/

    Finally, work with other nations of the world and encourage them to also build Departments of Peace.

    Good luck...

    Suggested by Kerry Painter on 01/18/2009 @ 05:18AM PT

  6. Carl Gant

    We must establish a Department of Peace and give it equal stature with the "Defense Department".  Dennis Kucinich would be a great organizer and leader for this department.  We must be the example of the peace we want to see in the world.

    Suggested by Carl Gant on 01/18/2009 @ 03:00AM PT

  7. paul macfarlane

    This was my buddy Dennis Kucinich's idea.
    If this happens, hope he wants the job and I'll work with him.
    I can end any argmuent anywhere and calm the angriest mob.
    I can create harmony and peace anywhere-- if only somebody will send me to Gaza and the Pakistan/Indian borders.

    Suggested by paul macfarlane on 01/17/2009 @ 11:03PM PT

  8. Liz J

    I find this an extremely valuable suggestion. My hope would be that sexual violence would be a top priority for such a department; few kinds of violence scar so deeply and permanently. I can see the potential of a Department of Peace to be far-reaching, changing the way other nations view the United States and its citizens' values.

    Suggested by Liz J on 01/17/2009 @ 08:12PM PT

  9. Lawrence Decoste

    This is not a bad idea dept of peace, We are in a world that has gone choatic, history has repeated itself and will continue we need to think of ideas to make peace throughout the world with negotiators and other methods. Religion does blind alot of people in other countries. We here in the united states can also get blinded but we are much smarter to not let religion take over our minds. We definitly got to educate the modern world that peace is something that is much greater then all the violence and bloodshed. Life should be lived by peace and love not violence and hate. We should not fear and appointing a secretary of peace is a great thoughtful idea.

    Suggested by Lawrence Decoste on 01/17/2009 @ 07:27PM PT

  10. Jim Brillon

    This is the visionary kind of leadership America needs and deserves!  A Department of Peace is achievable, makes sense and is what America needs NOW.  For its first act, The Obama Administration could launch a World Peace Initiative and convene an international conference of world leaders committed to a peaceful coexistence.  Communities across our country can become involved and bring forth a new commitment to non-violence and bring meaning to our creeds and lives.  Count me in.  

    Suggested by Jim Brillon on 01/17/2009 @ 04:57PM PT

Write a Suggestion

If you would like to leave a suggestion please sign in, or create an account

Endorsements for this Idea

Nonprofits and bloggers can formally endorse an idea they support. 105 current endorsements:


Endorse this Idea!

Nonprofits and bloggers can formally endorse an idea they support by completing the form below. If you represent a nonprofit, using an official organizational email address (e.g. "john@greenpeace.org" for Greenpeace) will expedite the process of confirming your organization's endorsement.

Nonprofit or Blogger?     
 
Name of Nonprofit / Blog
 
URL
 
Your First Name
 
Your Last Name
 
Your Email
 
close

This user's Profile page is not public. They have restricted it to only their friends.

Already a Member?

Create an Account

You must create a Change.org account to complete this action.
If you already have an account click here.