World BEYOND War believes that education is a critical component of a global security system and an essential tool for getting us there.
We educate both about and for the abolition of war. Our educational resources are based on knowledge and research that expose the myths of war and illuminate the proven nonviolent, peaceful alternatives that can bring us authentic security. Of course, knowledge is only useful when it’s applied. Thus we also encourage citizens to reflect upon critical questions and engage in dialogue with peers toward challenging assumptions of the war system. These forms of critical, reflective learning have been well documented to support increased political efficacy and action for system change.
Quick Links: Book · Online Courses ⋅ Study Guide · Webinars · Fact Sheets
World BEYOND War offers several tools and resources for engaged learning for the abolition of war.
Our primary educational tool is our book A Global Security System: An Alternative to War. This is complemented by online learning tools, including 1) online courses, and 2) a free online study and discussion guide, and 3) a webinar series.
Get our book!
A Global Security System: An Alternative to War
A Global Security System: An Alternative to War (AGSS) is World BEYOND War’s award-winning blueprint for an alternative security system – one in which peace is pursued by peaceful means. Now in its 4th edition, AGSS outlines three broad strategies for humanity to end war: 1) demilitarizing security, 2) managing conflicts without violence, and 3) creating a culture of peace. These are the interrelated components of our system: the frameworks, processes, tools, and institutions necessary for dismantling the war machine and replacing it with a peace system that will provide a more assured common security. AGSS is complemented by a free online study guide, “Study War No More” (see below).
Learn more about AGSS and get your copy (pdf, ebook, audiobook, print edition) here.
Study and Discussion Guide
Study War No More – A Concerned Citizen’s Study & Action Guide for “A Global Security System: An Alternative to War” is available at globalsecurity.worldbeyondwar.org.
Study War No More is a free online learning tool developed in partnership with the Global Campaign for Peace Education. It supports the study of World BEYOND War’s publication: A Global Security System: An Alternative to War (AGSS). The guide can be used for independent study or as a tool for facilitating dialogue and discussion in classrooms (secondary, university) and with community groups. Each discussion topic features a video introduction from our “study and action partners” – leading global thinkers, strategists, academics, advocates and activists who are already developing components of an alternative global security system.
Online Courses
We periodically offer facilitated online courses led by World BEYOND War experts and allied activists and change makers from around the world. We typically request a $100 donation for participating in our online courses.
War Abolition 101: How we Create a Peaceful World: February 18 – March 31, 2019. Learn more and sign up here.
Past offerings have included:
War Abolition 101: How We Create a Peaceful World
How can we make the best argument for shifting from war to peace? How can we become more effective advocates and activists for ending particular wars, ending all wars, pursuing disarmament, and creating systems that maintain peace?
War Abolition 201: Building the Alternative Global Security System
With what do we replace the war system (aka the military-industrial-corporate-governmental complex)? What truly makes us secure? What are the moral, social, political, philosophical and pragmatic foundations of an alternative global security system – a system in which peace is pursued by peaceful means? What actions and strategies might we pursue in building this system? War Abolition 201 explores these questions and more with the goal of engaging students in learning that leads to action.
Webinars
World BEYOND War hosts free educational webinars accessible to the public. Our webinar series is an opportunity for us to answer questions about our work, and engage in live dialogue with our members and partners around the world. Our webinars are recorded and can be re-watched at any time.
Past Webinars
Divest from the War Machine: On Tuesday, July 2, 2019, World BEYOND War hosted a webinar on divestment, featuring David Swanson of World BEYOND War, Maya Rommwatt of CODEPINK, and Susi Snyder of PAX/Don’t Bank on the Bomb. Grassroots-led war divestment campaigns are springing up all over the world, from students organizing to divest university endowments from weapons manufacturers and war profiteers, to municipalities and states coming together to divest public pension funds from the war machine. On this webinar, we talk about the strategies and tactics needed to run a successful divestment campaign.
No to NATO, Yes to Peace Webinar: On March 7, 2019, World BEYOND War hosted a webinar on NATO – the North Atlantic Treaty Organization – and why we’re calling for its abolition. NATO now accounts for three-quarters of all military spending and weapons dealing on the globe. Panelists for this webinar: Ana Maria Gower, a Serbian-British mixed media artist and a survivor of the NATO bombings of Yugoslavia; Jovanni Reyes, member coordinator of About Face: Veterans Against the War and U.S. army veteran who was deployed to the Balkans in 1996 as part of NATO’s first ever military intervention in Yugoslavia; and Kristine Karch, Co-Chair of the international No to War/No to NATO Network. Watch the full video here:
Militarism in the Media: On January 15, 2019, 100 participants joined our webinar featuring experts Rose Dyson and Jeff Cohen discussing the role of the media in promoting violence and warfare. Militarism is the “elephant in the room,” says FAIR founder Jeff Cohen. Former TV pundit for MSNBC, CNN, and Fox, Jeff was fired for shedding light on the perils of U.S. interventionism and in particular, for opposing the invasion of Iraq on the air. Rose Dyson, President of Canadians Concerned About Violence in Entertainment, expresses concern about the culture of war that is perpetuated by TV, music, video games, and social media. Watch the full webinar:
Global Perspectives on War: How do people around the world think about militarism? On October 24, 2018 we hosted a webinar featuring three different global perspectives on the impact of war. Panelists: David Swanson, Co-Founder and Director of World BEYOND War; Kathy Kelly, Co-Coordinator of Voices for Creative Nonviolence; and Barry Sweeney, World BEYOND War Ireland Coordinator.
How War Threatens the Environment: On September 27, 2018 we hosted a webinar exploring the links between war and the environment. One of the most destructive of human behaviors, war is a leading contributor to the growing global environmental crisis. This webinar featured experts Gar Smith and Tamara Lorincz speaking about how war – in all its stages, from the production of weapons through combat – pollutes land, air, and water, and drains limited natural resources. Check out our War & Environment Resources Page for powerpoints, articles, books, and more information on this topic. A video recording is available below:
Tour the World with Justice Travel: On July 17, 2018, we hosted a webinar in partnership with Justice Travel, a travel company that offers unique tours that highlight communities around the world advocating for human rights and social justice. During this webinar, representatives from Justice Travel discussed their mission and tours, with particular focus on their Colombia trip, which highlights the ongoing peacebuilding process in the country. Learn more about travel opportunities with Justice Travel by watching the recording of the webinar:
Growing the Movement for a World BEYOND War: On June 18, 2018, we hosted a webinar to discuss how we’re building a global, grassroots people-powered movement to advocate for war abolition. Featured speakers included World BEYOND War Co-Founder & Director David Swanson, Coordinating Committee Chair Leah Bolger, Organizing Director Greta Zarro, and Education Director Tony Jenkins. We discussed our mission, strategy, campaigns, and education programs – and opportunities for getting involved! Watch the recoding of the webinar:
Fact Sheets
War Is Immoral
War Endangers Us
War Threatens Our Environment
War Erodes Liberties
War Impoverishes Us
War Promotes Bigotry
We Need $2 Trillion/Year for Other Things
war is not the only threat to the environment but noise is a threat to the environment as well!