Our December newsletter is being brought to you by our National Coordinator Alley McDonald.

This December we want to highlight to Attend VOW's AGM; Giving Tuesday-Donate Now!; Accepting Applications for the UN CSW; and so much more happening this month!

Scroll down in VOW's Updates to find details about ICAN’s hybrid event, Canada and the Bomb, on Friday, November 29th—highlighting VOW’s longstanding commitment to nuclear disarmament and the important work of ICAN, of which we are a proud member.

Be sure to scroll all the way down for upcoming events, calls to action, and recommended resources!

VOW's work of peace, anti-war and demilitarization merits your support! Make a donation. Even better, join our growing number of Monthly Peace Partners. Consider $5 or $50 or any amount in between. Become a Peace Partner today!

The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) invites you to a public seminar entitled “Canada and the Bomb - A Public Seminar on Canada’s Nuclear Security”, which will take place on November 29, 6:00-8:00 PM at Friends House (60 Lowther Ave, Toronto, M5R 1C7).

This seminar is an opportunity for dialogue between a panel of experts and the general public around the urgent need for nuclear disarmament and Canada’s role in shaping global nuclear policy. It will focus on the consequences of nuclear weapons use, what Canada can do to reduce nuclear risks, and the role of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). We want to discuss with these experts: 

• Rooj Ali, Reverse the Trend Canada
• Dr. John Guilfoyle, President of IPPNW-C
• Florian Eblenkamp, ICAN
• Fanny Dagenais-Dion, IHL coordinator and Legal advisor at Canadian Red Cross
• Prof. Erika Simpson, Canadian Peace Research Association

Following a panel discussion, there will be a Q&A session, and we hope for a lively debate. Participation is free and we kindly ask you to register in advance to help our planning.

Online participation is also possible via zoom. You will receive the zoom-link in the confirmation email after registration. Please fill out the form below. 

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in the white poppies action on November 11th. We deeply appreciate your commitment to peace and your involvement in this meaningful initiative.

For more info on the Canadian white poppy campaign, and how to make your own, go to: https://vowpeace.org/peace-poppy-campaign/

Whether you place the greatest blame for the Ukraine War on Russian aggression or NATO expansion, there is no debating that we have now arrived at what seems to be the most dangerous moment in human history since the Cuban Missile Crisis. With President Biden’s authorization for Kyiv to attack Russian territory with U.S. made longer range missiles and U.S. assistance, Moscow’s doctrinal threshold for possible nuclear weapons use first announced in September has been crossed. Join us Anatol Lieven of the Quincy Institute to learn what is at stake and the diplomatic off ramps we so urgently need.

Join us on December 3 at 12pm PT to learn from three climate activists working with Indigenous- and locally-led, anti-racist, and collaborative movements. Discover how you can support climate action in ways that honour diverse approaches, knowledge, and expertise outside Western traditions.

We’ll explore what effective solidarity and allyship look like within these movements and discuss actionable steps Canadians and Canadian Civil Society Organizations can take to support climate goals rooted in justice, equity, and respect, even when time, resources, or capacity may be limited. 

The new ICAT Climate Finance Transparency Guide, developed with the support of the Center for Clean Air Policy (CCAP), provides methodological guidance for developing countries to establish and implement climate finance transparency frameworks. It focuses on collecting data on financial support needed and received, aligning with the reporting requirements under the Paris Agreement’s enhanced transparency framework.

This webinar will explore the topic of climate finance transparency, with a focus on the functionalities and uses of the new ICAT guide. It will include contributions from international  climate finance experts and perspectives from country representatives.

Join the Rutgers Center for Security, Race and Rights for a presentation by Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestine Territories, for an international legal and policy analysis of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza since October 8, 2023. In what numerous international legal scholars conclude constitutes a genocide, the Israeli military has killed over 54,000 Palestinians, injured over 120,000 Palestinians, severely restricted entrance of food aid and medicine causing mass starvation, destroyed every university, destroyed or damaged over 70% of buildings, destroyed or damaged 85% of schools, displaced 90% of the civilian population, and destroyed or severely damaged every hospital in Gaza.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has finally issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for crimes against humanity and war crimes in Gaza. What's more, Prime Minister Trudeau confirmed Thursday that Canada will abide by the ICC's rulings and regulations! This means that Netanyahu and Gallant could not visit Canada without the threat of being arrested and brought for trial before the ICC! This is a rare moment in which there's a glimmer of hope that Israel's

genocidal leaders may be held accountable.

 

The ICC decision came only hours after we heard another piece of good news, which is that Canada voted YES at the United Nations General Assembly on two motions: 1) to condemn Israel's illegal settlements and 2) to affirm the rights of Palestinian refugees to their properties. Canada had been voting AGAINST these resolutions since 2011, and its change in vote would not have been possible without years of grassroots pressure. The UN session is not over, however, and we are concerned that Canada will likely vote against other resolutions on Palestinian rights.

While Canada's response to Israel's genocide is slowly changing, it would not happen without the grassroots pressure from people like you. We invite you to join events (see below) going on in your area. If you are organizing an upcoming event or demonstration, please consider submitting it on our events submission form so we can include it in future email announcements.  

Join thousands of Canadians across the country to protest Israel's genocidal violence and Canada's complicity. Please note that many different organizations are hosting these events, and CJPME lists those it is aware of. Any questions should be directed towards the event organizers. If you have events you would like to have listed, please submit them on our events submission form. The listing of events below is not an endorsement.

• Antigonish, NS, "Rally every Saturday" 
• Abbotsford, BC, "Fraser Valley for Palestine meetup"
• Antigonish, NS, "Rally every Saturday" 
• Calgary, AB, "Stolen Childhood in Gaza; Short films series & Discussion" 
• Charlottetown, PEI, "Free Screening for Boycott" 
• Coquitlam, BC, "Rally for Palestine" 
• Elmvale, ON, "A Conversation with an Israeli Messianic Jew"
• Guelph, ON, "Fundraiser for Gaza and Lebanon and Sudan" 
• Kitchener, ON, "Walk with Grief; Silent Vigil for Gaza" 
• London, ON, "Where Olive Trees Weep" 
• Montreal, QC, "All out for Gaza; Montreal Protest" 
• Montreal, QC, "5KM Run for Palestine and Lebanon" 
• Montreal, QC, "Together for Lebanon"
• Montreal, QC, "International day for Solidarity with the Palestinian People; Montreal Protest" 
• Montreal, QC, "The more they try to silence us, the louder we will be" 
• New Westminster, BC "Film and Fundraiser for Palestine"
• Ottawa, ON, "All out for Palestine, All out for Lebanon; Ottawa Protest"
• Ottawa, ON, "Teach-in on the regional dynamics of the Palestinian struggle" 
• Ottawa, ON, "Unity in the Field; Soccer tournament fundraiser for Gaza"
• Owen Sound, ON, "Palestine Solidarity Rally"
• Peterborough, ON, " Voices for Palestine"
• Québec, QC, "Une Soirée pour Gaza"
• Sarnia, ON, "Imagine we live a life  you can't bear to watch"
• Regina, SK, "Art for Palestine" 
• Saint John's, NL, "For Palestine, For Lebanon, For Liberation March"
• Saskatoon, SK, "Enough is Enough" 
• Saskatoon, SK, "Palestinian Cultural Night" 
• Toronto, ON, "The Bird shall return: Art Fundraiser for Gaza"
• Toronto, ON, "People Stand With Gaza; international fundraiser for Gaza"
• Vancouver, BC, "Van Bike for Palestine"
• Vancouver, BC, "Weekly vigil/rally against genocide in Palestine and Lebanon"
• Victoria, BC, "March for Justice, Unite to end Genocide"
• Waterloo, ON, " Roots of Resistance; Fundraiser Dinner"
• Winnipeg, MB, "All out for Palestine - Winnipeg Protest"
• Winnipeg, MB, "Circle of Voices & Community Potluck"

We'll be at Gaza square once again this Sunday morning with hot chocolate and coffee, buttons and posters, lawn signs and colourful chalk! Come say hi and meet your fellow neighbours/organizers as we make our presence known and continue to build safety in our community!

TKARONTO: LET’S KEEP THE PRESSURE ON EVERY MONDAY! 📱🍉

Week after week, we’re keeping the momentum going with our Monday lunchtime zaps.

Our collective action is making waves, but we need to ensure our elected officials continue to feel the pressure until real change happens.

Gather with neighbours in an online space to phone, email, and fax representatives together! Guidance, script, and contacts provided. Invite your friends!

☎️Whether you’ve zapped before, or are just getting started, all are welcome in this weekly action! And if you’re interested in organizing in your neighborhood - these zaps are a great way to meet your people. Bring a friend or two! Facilitators from GTA ridings are present to offer support, demo live phone calls, and answer questions.

It has been over 30 years since the murder of 14 young women at Polytechnique Montréal (December 6, 1989). This act of violent misogyny shook our country and led Parliament to designate December 6 as The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

On December 6, we remember:

• Geneviève Bergeron
• Hélène Colgan
• Nathalie Croteau
• Barbara Daigneault
• Anne-Marie Edward
• Maud Haviernick
• Maryse Laganière
• Maryse Leclair
• Anne-Marie Lemay
• Sonia Pelletier
• Michèle Richard
• Annie St-Arneault
• Annie Turcotte
• Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz

As we mourn their loss and remember their lives, we reaffirm our commitment to fight the hatred that led to this tragedy, and the misogyny that still exists today. 

The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women is about remembering those who have experienced gender-based violence and those who we have lost to it. It is also a time to take action. Achieving a Canada free from gender-based violence requires everyone living in this country to educate themselves and their families and communities on gender-based violence, centre the voices of survivors in our actions and speak up against harmful behaviours.

Ways to honour the victims of this tragedy on December 6:

• Wear a white ribbon. You can make one at home or order one online.
• Observe a moment of silence at 11:00 am.
• Attend a vigil in your community.
• Follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn, and share our National Day of Remembrance post.
• Today and throughout the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence (from November 25 to December 10), add your voice to the conversation and share the ways you are being part of the solution to end gender-based violence. Use the hashtag #16Days.
• Learn more about the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV campaign and how to get involved

Wear a white poppy until December 10, International Human Rights Day, to commemorate all victims of war and to acknowledge the relentless human and environmental damage warfare inflicts. Wear a white poppy as an imperative call to solve conflict through peace-building, to promote a healthy culture of care.

10 December 2024 marks the 76th anniversary of one of the world's most groundbreaking global pledges: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This landmark document enshrines the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being - regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

The Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 and sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected.  

Available in more than 500 languages, it is the most translated document in the world.

A year-long initiative focusing on universality, progress and engagement, will culminate in a high-level event in December 2023, which will announce global pledges and ideas for a vision for the future of human rights.

Over the past decade, Canada’s military spending has increased 100 per cent from $20 billion in 2014 to $41 billion this year, according to the latest NATO Defence Expenditures report. At our current level of military spending, Canada is at 1.4 per cent of GDP and ranked 7^th highest among the 32 transatlantic allies and 16^th highest in the world.

At the G20 press conference in Rio de Janeiro, Trudeau also discussed Canada’s plan to modernize the North American Aerospace Defense Command for a cost of $38.6 billion and the purchase of a new fleet of submarines that is estimated at $100 billion. 

Last year, which was the hottest year on record with out-of-control wildfires, Ottawa announced costly, carbon-intensive defence purchases: $19 billion for F-35 fighter jets, $3.6 billion for strategic refuelers, and $2.5 billion for armed drones. 

These weapon systems do not make Canadians more secure, but exacerbate the climate crisis and poverty. 

As climate impacts intensify and hit the world’s poorest, The Adaptation Gap Report 2024: Come hell and high water finds that nations must dramatically increase climate adaptation efforts, starting with a commitment to act on finance.

The report calls for nations to step up by adopting a strong new collective quantified goal for climate finance and including stronger adaptation components in their next round of climate pledges, or nationally determined contributions, due in early 2025. 

In addition to finance, there is a need to strengthen capacity building and technology transfer to improve the effectiveness of adaptation actions. The report provides recommendations to improve efforts, which are often uncoordinated, expensive and short term. 

Overall, increased efforts will be needed to meet the global goal on adaptation through the eleven targets of the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience.

The fourth episode of our Nerd-Out Youth, Peace and Security podcast is now live! 🎉

In this episode, host Katrina Leclerc sits down with Ratu Bintang Assyifa Arweys and Muhammad Rhaka Katresna from KAMI Damai, Indonesia's Youth, Peace and Security coalition. Together, they explore Indonesia's dynamic YPS landscape, shedding light on the unique challenges and impactful contributions of young peacebuilders across the country. Bintang and Rhaka share powerful stories of youth-led initiatives, community resilience, and their efforts to shape sustainable peace policies in Indonesia and beyond. 🌏✨

Join author Yves Engler on Mondays for a weekly news roundup and interactive discussion about Canada’s role abroad. This weekly session will delve into the latest developments on subjects ranging from military affairs and Canada’s role in Ukraine to its contribution to Palestinian dispossession and exploitation of African resources. Join Yves for a critical take on Canada’s foreign policy. Questions, comments and criticisms are all welcome.

Mondays 6PM EST

Be sure to renew your membership and donate to support our important work building a culture of peace in Canada and so that we can continue to hire youth throughout the year. Make a donation today!