Peace Agenda

I. BASIC PRINCIPLES

To enter into affiliation with the Fresno Center for Nonviolence implies a commitment to examining and altering one's life toward the achievement of these basic goals.

Simplicity -- reducing the sheer amount of material resources needed to satisfy our desires, raised as we are in a society which overvalues possessions, pleasure and convenience, and which uses an unconscionable proportion of the planet's natural wealth.

Justice -- actively seeking to create a world where decent living conditions are available to all, and where the decision-making processes, methods of production, distribution of wealth, and accountability to society are equitable.

Inclusiveness -- actively seeking to understand the situation and point-of-view of others, maintaining readiness to ally with other communities-of-interest or -belief that are committed to similar principles.

Non-injury -- pledging to use methods to attain our ends that do not contradict those ends; acting with compassion and an understanding of shared humanity toward those we oppose, and utilizing only those means which do not put others at greater risk than ourselves.

Association with the Center also implies an understanding that, if we are to preserve the viability of our living environment and the hope for a safe, democratic society, there is urgent need to make changes related to our goals. These changes are substantial, need to begin at once, and start with ourselves.

II. PERSONAL ATTITUDES AND INVOLVEMENTS

We have identified several specific personal attitudes and involvements that seem to demand particular attention. These are:

--seeking to understand and minimize our own fears, identifying the sources and investigating the consequences of our own violent anger

--learning to resolve personal conflicts in more constructive, mutually satisfying ways

--learning to live more simply, with less heedless material consumption and less dependence on the fruits of exploitative labor, and with more consideration for the environment

--gaining awareness of the harmful effects on others of habits and expectations unthinkingly adopted, and of economic and social systems we participate in without analysis "because that's how things are done"

--investing time and energy into creating and strengthening personal and community support networks

--crossing boundaries to encounter people of a different age/class/ethnicity/value system

--involving ourselves constructively with young people.

--exploring the philosophical dimensions of living through the perennial wisdom of the great religious traditions as well as the teachings of contemporary figures like Gandhi, Krishnamurti and Peace Pilgrim who address the particular spiritual conditions of our age

III. SOCIAL ISSUE PRIORITIES

We have identified several crucial social issues that call for immediate study and positive action.

--establishing a sound basis for reducing the presence of guns in the community

--identifying the principles and institutions necessary for a criminal justice system that actually works for the common good--one that forestalls criminal activity, protects the general populace, and constructively redirects the energies of offenders

--looking frankly at the interrelated issues of population expansion and resource consumption, and undertaking actions to reverse current trends

--exploring appropriate ways to assist and/or intervene in international situations of concern

--supporting efforts to eliminate discrimination against or victimization of any person on the basis of race, gender, religion, age, or sexual orientation

--examining the issues surrounding US immigration policy

--converting to an economy based on human well-being and peace instead of on military dominance

--envisioning adequate housing resources, especially for the homeless and elderly.

--creating a more equitable and cost-effective health care system

--insisting on greater corporate accountability for the welfare of employees, communities, regions and natural resources affected by such corporations.

--promoting economic justice in cooperation with the local labor movement

IV. COMMITMENTS AND ACTIVITIES

The Center will initiate activities furthering these intentions and will provide support and resources to individuals and groups involved in similar endeavors. Our commitments include:

--celebration and commemoration of inspirational figures and occasions that unify the community at large toward the achievement of our goals

--educational activities dealing with issues of highest priority to us

--projects to create movement toward social changes consistent with our goals

--ongoing support groups for ourselves and those who wish to join us

--availability of space, equipment and publicity resources to groups with compatible goals and values