Editorial

Welcome to this fourth issue of the Oldham Peace Times, newsletter of the Oldham Pledge to Peace Forum. This is a regular publication to inform people and organisations with an interest in working for peace about the Forum and its work.

I do hope you had an enjoyable and peaceful summer break.

Following the EU Referendum existing and prospective signatories to the Pledge to Peace have understandably asked the question – can British civic organisations remain signatories and can new ones sign? The unequivocal answer from the President of the Secretariat of the Pledge to Peace, Piero Scutari, is Yes.

‘Dear Signatories, In light of the result of the UK referendum on the EU, the Secretariat of the “Pledge to Peace” wants to strongly reaffirm the importance of the European values of peace, human dignity and prosperity that are at the core of any thriving society, regardless of political systems and international agreements.

The Secretariat will continue to gather around these values any entity, organisation and institution willing to work for these values, in Europe and anywhere in the world.

Our Signatories in the UK are warmly encouraged to continue their wonderful work in favour of the values that unite all of us as human beings. Their contribution is needed more than ever.’

I hope that this issue will inspire you to do something for peace – you can join the Forum if you represent an organisation that has signed the Pledge to Peace or one that wishes to do so – please find more details on Page 2 and at the end of this newsletter.

The Oldham Peace TimesIssue 4 – September 2016News from the Oldham Pledge to Peace Forum

Our next newsletter will be out in early November so do please send stories and photos for inclusion in our next issue, as well as feedback, to richardoutram35@gmail.com

Yours in Peace, Richard Outram, EditorCONTENTSPage 2 An introduction to the Pledge to PeacePage 3 London CallingPage 4 Saddleworth Peace Group sign PledgePage 5 Nagasaki Memorial DayPage 6 Two Special Days in SeptemberPage 8 Oldham’s First Peace WeekPage 11 Peace is All Around YouPage 11 Come and Join Us

An Introduction to the Pledge to Peace

Each signatory is asked to submit a report of these activities to the initiative’s secretariat, the Percorsi Association, by the UN International Day of Peace, observed on 21st September each year. More information about the Pledge can be found on the following websites:http://www.pledgetopeace.eu/ and http://www.associazionepercorsi.com 2. The Oldham Peace Times Issue 4 – Sept. 2016

The Pledge to Peace initiative, also called the Bruxelles Declaration, was established at the “Peace and Prosperity - Founding Values of the European Union” conference held on November 28, 2011 at the European Parliament in Brussels. The initiative was the brainchild of then First Vice President of the European Parliament, Mr. Gianni Pittella MEP, the former President of the European Parliament Senator Emilio Colombo, and the Associazione Percorsi.The Pledge to Peace was sponsored by Mr. Prem Rawat, an authoritative and international speaker on peace, who was the first signatory. Mr Rawat was later appointed ‘Ambassador to the Bruxelles Declaration - Pledge to Peace’.Institutions and organisations are invited to sign the Pledge to help create a “culture of peace” across Europe by carrying out practical

More information about the Ambassador to the Bruxelles Declaration – Pledge to Peace, Mr. Prem Rawat, can be found on this website: http://www.premrawat.com

London Calling

Members of the Oldham Pledge to Peace Forum were privileged to be invited to two very special events in our capital city in June and July.

3. The Oldham Peace Times Issue 4 – Sept. 2016

Maria and Richard attended the first screening in the UK of a new film about peace education in prisons, Inside Peace (http://insidepeacemovie.com/).

Hosted at the British Film Institute on the Southbank by The Prem Rawat Foundation and the Tutu Foundation on 15th June, the screening was followed by an address by the Ambassador to the Pledge to Peace, Mr. Prem Rawat, and a question and answer session with Mr. Rawat and distinguished guests from the field of criminal justice.

This award-winning documentary film follows the fortunes of inmates at a Texan prison who attend the Peace Education Programme (PEP), facilitated by volunteers from The Prem Rawat Foundation, and how this programme has transformed their lives for the better.

In early July, Maria and Richard were joined by Moira Colman and Sue Pascoe from Peace Talks Manchester at the Waves of Change peace and sustainability forum.

The event held on 2nd July was hosted by our sister organisation, Peace Partners (http://www.peacepartners.co.uk/) at the Crystal, Britain’s most eco-friendly building, in London’s Docklands.

Maria (shown left) and Richard were invited to make presentations on the work being carried out to build peace in our

Saddleworth Peace Group Sign PledgeOn 1st August at its monthly meeting, Saddleworth Peace Group became the 14th and latest local organisation to sign the Pledge to Peace and join the Oldham Pledge to Peace Forum.Thanks are due to Phillida Shipp for the article. Phillida signed the Pledge on behalf of the Group and now tells us more about their history and work.‘As far as I can remember Saddleworth Peace Group was formed in the mid 1980’s. The first photo that I can find of a Saddleworth Peace Group banner was taken in 1987 in London.

The current banner is shown in the photo of the signing below

4. The Oldham Peace Times Issue 4 – Sept. 2016

In early July, Maria and Richard were joined by Moira Colman and Sue Pascoe from Peace Talks Manchester at the Waves of Change peace and sustainability forum.

The event held on 2nd July was hosted by our sister organisation, Peace Partners (http://www.peacepartners.co.uk/) at the Crystal, Britain’s most eco-friendly building, in London’s Docklands.

Maria (shown left) and Richard were invited to make presentations on the work being carried out to build peace in our

At present there are approximately 70 people on our mailing list. They will receive electronic newsletters from Greater Manchester Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) and also our own newsletters. Some of them will attend events organised by us and/or by Greater Manchester CND. We have a ‘core group’ of 9 people who meet every 6 weeks or so to plan activities and talk about peace issues. The activities that we are able to commit to are commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day and Hiroshima/Nagasaki Day, and having a stall at the annual Saddleworth Show.The Pledge to Peace will strengthen our resolve to do these things. It will also broaden our horizons by bringing us into contact with other peace organisations both locally, nationally and internationally.’

Nagasaki Memorial Day VigilThanks are due to Steve from the Saddleworth Peace Group for this article and photograph. ‘On 9th August, Saddleworth Peace Group hosted a candlelit vigil outside the Uppermill Methodist Church to mark the 71st anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. The event was attended by the Mayor of Oldham, Cllr Derek Heffernan. Seventy one candles were lit to mark each of the years since this terrible bombing.Nagasaki often gets forgotten as the world focuses on Hiroshima. The bombing of Nagasaki happened in part because scientists at Los Alamos were ‘intrigued’ as to which type of bomb was the ‘better’ – a uranium or plutonium based bomb. A uranium bomb showed its effectiveness at Hiroshima but another bombing mission was ‘needed’ to see what damage a plutonium bomb could do.

The plutonium bomb dropped on Nagasaki was even more powerful than the Hiroshima Bomb. About 30% of Nagasaki, including almost all the industrial district, was destroyed by the bomb and nearly 74,000 people were killed and a similar number injured.We share the views of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon who in 2015 said: “Nagasaki must be the last - we cannot allow any future use of nuclear weapons. The humanitarian consequences are too great. No more Nagasakis. No more Hiroshimas."’

Photo below: The Mayor of Oldham speaking at the event

5. The Oldham Peace Times Issue 4 – Sept. 2016

Two Special Days in SeptemberTwo special days in September will be marked with local events as part of our first Oldham Peace Week.

The UN International Day of PeaceEach year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The United Nations has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.The Day’s theme for 2016 is “The Sustainable Development Goals: Building Blocks for Peace.” The 17 Sustainable Development Goals were unanimously adopted by the 193 Member States of the United Nations at an historic summit of the world’s leaders in New York in September 2015. The new ambitious 2030 agenda calls on countries to begin efforts to achieve these goals over the next 15 years. It aims to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. The Sustainable Development Goals are integral to achieving peace in our time, as development and peace are interdependent and mutually reinforcing. “The 17 Sustainable Development Goals are our shared vision of humanity and a social contract between the world's leaders and the people,” said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. “They are a to-do list for people and planet, and a blueprint for success.”More information can be found at http://www.un.org/en/events/peaceday/

6. The Oldham Peace Times Issue 4 – Sept. 2016

Photo courtesy of the UN: the poster for 2016 showing the 17 goals

The International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear WeaponsAchieving global nuclear disarmament is one of the oldest goals of the United Nations. It was the subject of the General Assembly’s first resolution in 1946. Frighteningly, there are some 16,000 nuclear weapons in the world. Countries possessing such weapons plan to ‘modernise’ their nuclear arsenals and remain wedded to the doctrine of nuclear deterrence. More than half of the world’s population lives in countries that possess such weapons or are members of nuclear alliances. The United Nations has designated 26 September as the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. This Day provides an occasion for the world community to reaffirm its commitment to global nuclear disarmament as a high priority. It provides an opportunity to educate the public—and their leaders—about the real benefits of eliminating such weapons, and the social and economic costs of perpetuating them.The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said “The consequences of any further use of nuclear weapons, whether intentional or by mistake, would be horrific. When it comes to our common objective of nuclear disarmament, we must not delay – we must act now.”

7. The Oldham Peace Times Issue 4 – Sept. 2016

More information can be found at http://www.un.org/en/events/nuclearweaponelimination/

Photo courtesy of the UN / Milton Grant: Sculpture depicting St. George slaying the dragon. The dragon is created from fragments of Soviet SS-20 and United States Pershing nuclear missiles.

Oldham’s First Peace WeekWe have big plans for Oldham’s first Peace Week, a celebration of peace in our borough, lasting from 21st to 26th September.Some of these events have still to be finalised, but here is a summary of what’s happening at the date of publication:Wednesday 21st SeptemberMorning – (8.30am) Peace Week starts on the UN International Day of Peace with a ceremonial hoisting of the Oldham Peace and Respect flag at the Civic Centre in the presence of Oldham’s first Mayor of Peace, Cllr Derek Heffernan.Afternoon – (Times will vary) Assemblies and activities in Oldham schools and a chance for pupils and teachers to participate in workshops with Roamer the Robot, the only robot to have signed the Pledge to Peace (below).

8. The Oldham Peace Times Issue 4 – Sept. 2016

Thursday 22nd SeptemberAfternoon – (2-4pm) An Oldham delegation will be visiting Britain’s only Peace Museum in Bradford (below). (4-5pm) The Museum will sign the Pledge to Peace at City Hall in the presence of the Mayor of Oldham.

Friday 23rd SeptemberAfternoon – (1-3pm) The Oldham Pledge to Peace Forum will hold its first Annual General Meeting at the Civic Centre. The event will also showcase the work being done by local signatories and provide an opportunity to adopt the Oldham Peace Plan for the coming year. There will also be some exciting and inspiring resolutions…..and a Pledge to Peace signing.Saturday 24th SeptemberAfternoon - (1-4pm) Gallery Oldham and Oldham Library will be hosting the third Oldham Peace Day Celebration Event. Organised by Peace Talks Oldham, the Oldham Pledge to Peace Forum, and Oldham Council, and opened by Oldham’s first Mayor of Peace, the event will include exciting music and youth theatre, inspiring DVDs and speakers, a marketplace of local groups working for peace and a chance 9. The Oldham Peace Times Issue 4 – Sept. 2016

for a hands on meeting with Roamer the Robot and the Hack Oldham team in the technology zone. There will also be a Pledge to Peace signing.The Mayor will also be officially opening the new peace book section at Oldham Library. This will be accompanied by readings from the latest best-selling book, Splitting the Arrow, written by the Ambassador to the Pledge to Peace, Mr. Prem Rawat, and peace poetry.

Sunday 25th SeptemberAfternoon – (1-3pm) There will be a Peace Picnic in the Park at Dunwood Park, Smallbrook Road, Shaw OL2 7UQ. Dunwood Park is one of Oldham’s two Green Flag parks with significant recent investment from the National Lottery. It is hoped that Dunwood will in future become one of Oldham’s Peace Parks, and there will be an opportunity at the event for members of the public to look at our ideas and give us their thoughts.The event will be opened by the Mayor of Peace and the Chair of the Shaw and Crompton Parish Council, Cllr Angie Farrell. There will also be a Pledge to Peace signing, crafts and face painting for the children, and the opportunity to buy a peace picnic from Café Mandels, a new social enterprise in the Park.

10. The Oldham Peace Times Issue 4 – Sept. 2016

The event will feature readings from Splitting the Arrow, which also contains wonderful illustrations

Monday 26th September Morning – (10am-Noon) The final event at the Civic Centre.A gathering of Mayors for Peace and peace groups to mark the UN International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. At the event, Oldham’s Mayor of Peace will sign his application to join over 7,000 Mayors around the world as a member of the Mayors for Peace initiative. He will also present letters of friendship to the Honorary Consul to Japan for conveyance to the Mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.Please note that the events on the 24th and 25th September are open to the public, and you are encouraged to bring along family, friends and work mates. These events are free.The other events are also free, but by invitation only. If you would like to attend these and have not yet received an invitation, please contact Richard Outram by email to richardoutram35@gmail.com or telephone 07583097793More information will also soon be available on-line at www.oldham.gov.uk/peaceweek

11. The Oldham Peace Times Issue 4 – Sept. 2016

We are looking to transform this tree stump into a peace sculpture in Dunwood Park.

Peace is All Around YouOn arriving recently in sunny Bournemouth, I (Richard) saw a poster attached to a signpost in The Square. It has the word Peace written in many different languages – bizarrely Fred is Danish for peace. This just goes to show that peace is all around you…if you look for it.

Come and Join UsAs part of Oldham Peace Week, a special meeting of the Oldham Pledge to Peace Forum will be held on Friday 23rd September 2016 from 1.30pm until 3pm in the Crompton Suite, Civic Centre. Stalls showing the work carried out by signatories of the Pledge to bring peace to Oldham will be on show from 1pm.Institutions, organisations and individuals who support the work of the Forum, and / or wish to sign the Pledge to Peace, are welcome to attend. For further details about the event or any of the contents of this newsletter, please contact Richard at The Oldham Pledge to Peace Forum by email to richardoutram35@gmail.com or telephone 07583097793Thank you for your interest.

12. The Oldham Peace Times Issue 4 – Sept. 2016