World BEYOND War is a global nonviolent movement to end war and establish a just and sustainable peace.
World BEYOND War was founded on January 1st, 2014, when co-founders David Hartsough and David Swanson set out to create a global movement to abolish the institution of war itself, not just the “war of the day.” If war is ever to be abolished, then it must be taken off the table as a viable option. Just as there is no such thing as “good” or necessary slavery, there is no such thing as a “good” or necessary war. Both institutions are abhorrent and never acceptable, no matter the circumstances. So, if we can’t use war to resolve international conflicts, what can we do? Finding a way to transition to a global security system that is supported by international law, diplomacy, collaboration, and human rights, and defending those things with nonviolent action rather than the threat of violence, is the heart of WBW.  Our work includes education that dispels myths, like “War is natural” or “We have always had war,” and shows people not only that war should be abolished, but also that it actually can be. Our work includes all variety of nonviolent activism that moves the world in the direction of ending all war.
Our Theory of Change: Education, Action, and Media

World BEYOND War currently coordinates dozens of chapters and maintains partnerships with nearly 100 affiliates around the world. WBW functions through a decentralized, distributed grassroots organizing model focused on building power at the local level. We don’t have a central office and we all work remotely. WBW’s staff provide tools, trainings, and resources to empower the chapters and affiliates to organize in their own communities based on what campaigns resonate most with their members, while at the same time organizing towards the long-term goal of war abolition. Key to World BEYOND War’s work is the holistic opposition to the institution of war at large – not only all current wars and violent conflicts, but the industry of war itself, the ongoing preparations for war that feed the profitability of the system (for example, arms manufacturing, weapons stockpiling, and the expansion of military bases). This holistic approach, focused on the institution of war as a whole, sets WBW apart from many other organizations.

Read our theory of change!

Myths Debunked
The Case We Make Against War
Chapters and Affiliates

Learn about our chapters and affiliates and how to join or create one.

World BEYOND War has a dedicated and growing staff:

David Swanson

Executive Director

Greta Zarro

Organizing Director

Rachel Small

Canada Organizer

Phill Gittins
Phill Gittins

Education Director

Marc Eliot Stein
Marc Eliot Stein

Technology Director

Alex McAdams

Development Director

Alessandra Granelli

Social Media Manager

Gabriel Aguirre

Latin America Organizer

Mohammed Abunahel

Bases Researcher

Seth Kinyua

Development Intern

Guy Feugap

Africa Organizer

Vanessa Fox

Organizing Intern

World BEYOND War is run by a volunteer Board of Directors:

Kathy Kelly

President

Gar Smith

Secretary

John Reuwer

Treasurer

Volunteers

World BEYOND War is run largely by volunteers who devote their time for free. Here are some Volunteer Spotlights.

Co-Founders
Past Board Presidents
Awards

World BEYOND War is a member of the Coalition Against U.S. Foreign Military Bases; the Divest from the War Machine Coalition; the Global Day Against Military Spending; the International Peace Bureau; the Korea Collaboration Network; the Poor People’s Campaign; United for Peace and Justice; the United National Antiwar Coalition; the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons; the Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space; the international network No to war – no to NATO; Overseas Base Realignment and Closure Coalition; People Over Pentagon; Campaign to End the Selective Service System; No Fighter Jets Coalition; Canada-Wide Peace and Justice Network; Peace Education Network (PEN); Beyond Nuclear; Working Group on Youth, Peace, and Security; Global Alliance for Ministries and Infrastructures for Peace, WE.net, Abolition 2000, War Industry Resisters Network, Groups Against Arms Fairs, Defuse Nuclear War, Warheads to Windmills.

Our liasons to various coalitions are as follows:

  • NoForeignBases.org: Robert Fantina
  • United National Antiwar Coalition: John Reuwer
  • Divest from the War Machine: Greta Zarro
  • Global Day Against Military Spending: Gar Smith
  • Korea Collaboration Network: Alice Slater
  • Abolish Selective Service: David Swanson
  • GPA: Donnal Walter
  • Code Pink – China is Not our Enemy: Liz Remmerswaal
  • Groups Against Arms Fairs: Liz Remmerswaal and Rachel Small
  • U.S. Peace Coalition: Liz Remmerswaal
  • Independent and Peaceful Australian Network/Pacific Peace Network: Liz Remmerswaal
  • New Zealand Peace Foundation International Affairs and Disarmament Committee: Liz Remmerswaal
  • WE.net: David Swanson
  • Abolition 2000: David Swanson
  • War Industry Resisters Network: Greta Zarro.
  • Canada-Wide Peace and Justice Network: Rachel Small.
  • No New Fighter Jets Coalition: Rachel Small.
Our Donors

We are largely funded by very small donations. We are extremely grateful to every volunteer and donor, although we don’t have room to thank them all, and many prefer to be anonymous. Here is a page thanking those we can.

More About World BEYOND War

Click below for videos, text, powerpoints, photos, and other resources from our past annual conferences.

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