By Vanessa Fox, World BEYOND War, January 27, 2025
Vanessa Fox completed an Organizing Internship with World BEYOND War from January 2024-January 2025. She is pursuing her Master’s Degree in the Art of Social Change at Starr King School for the Ministry. In this article, she reflects on her internship experience and what it means to be part of the global World BEYOND War network.
When I began my internship with World BEYOND War a year ago in January, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I have always been passionate about the abolition of war, without knowing the ways in which to achieve it. I had thought that some wars were inevitable, just, or necessary. I didn’t know if violent political regimes or wars could ever be stopped by nonviolent resistance, and had never heard of unarmed civilian defense. I soon realized that I was in for the education of a lifetime!
During my time as an Organizing Intern at World BEYOND War, I have accomplished so much and I have found my voice! I have approved and posted over 600 events on the Events Calendar as its Manager, represented WBW at affiliated working group meetings, and participated in exciting online courses like “War and the Environment,” “Unarmed Civilian Defense Instead of War” and “Media and Communications for Peace.” I databased petitions, co-organized and co-hosted webinars, created graphics on Canva, updated social media toolkits, created an original counter-recruitment video, wrote op-eds, created website content, assisted the Merchants of Death War Crimes Tribunal, and undertook many other tasks supervised by my mentor and WBW’s Organizing Director, Greta Zarro!
In addition, I assisted the Development Director Alex McAdams with fundraising tasks; learned from the expertise of Education Director Phill Gittins; and worked with Social Media Manager Alessandra Granelli. I co-organized the Global Week of Action for Peace and Climate Justice as part of a team. I was honored to be a guest on World BEYOND War’s podcast hosted by Technology Director Marc Eliot Stein. I also was excited to work with Africa Organizer Guy Feugap, Canada Organizer Rachel Small, and Latin America Organizer Gabriel Aguirre, as well as many extraordinary Chapter Coordinators, like Helen Peacock, Fatoumata Sossia Djire, and Barry Sweeney!
By doing all of this work, I learned how to run and work for a successful nonprofit organization! Utilizing World BEYOND War’s website, I took a deep dive into the many myths of war, and learned how to create a culture of peace by reading WBW’s groundbreaking book, A Global Security System: An Alternative to War. I have learned so much about current events, the horrors of war, the terrible effects of militarism and colonialism, the deep flaws of NATO, and the U.S. government’s devastating interference and influence in other countries’ conflicts and politics. I now know more than I ever wanted to know about the world, but I am so grateful for having learned it. I feel so much more empowered and fired up to continue my work to abolish war and preparations for war.
I loved this internship, even though at times, it was stressful and emotionally difficult. It was amazing to watch myself blossom into an organizer and outspoken war abolitionist at a time when the political climate is so frightening and uncertain. I love to learn and will always seek knowledge with fresh eyes and a hungry soul. I have gained so much confidence in myself as a leader.
I am so grateful to Greta Zarro for taking me under her wing this year. I have learned so much as an Organizing Intern and feel better prepared to enter the world of nonprofit management. Thank you Greta! You are the best mentor anyone could ever ask for!
I also have a lot of gratitude for David Swanson, Executive Director and Co-Founder of WBW, for having me as an intern. You are incredible! Thank you for your kindness, passion, and authenticity!
Thank you to the entire World BEYOND War family for accepting me, allowing me to make mistakes, trusting me, and giving me the education of a lifetime. You have all inspired me by your dedication, passion, and eagerness to educate and speak up, even when it means putting everything on the line. Merci mille fois!
I encourage everyone reading this article to consider volunteering or interning with this amazing organization. You just might be surprised by what you can accomplish to help the world we all share and call home!
For more information, please visit https://worldbeyondwar.org/. You can find a WBW chapter near you by visiting https://worldbeyondwar.org/findchapter/ , or learn how to start a chapter by visiting https://worldbeyondwar.org/becomecoordinator/. There are petitions you can sign here, and events you can participate in here. You can even submit your own anti-war or pro-peace event here. Please email greta@worldbeyondwar.org if you are interested in volunteering or interning for World BEYOND War. You’ll be glad you did!
