The results of a survey conducted by the United Nations reveal that there are 42 countries living conflictual situations and another 37 living serious political tensions. These wars have been the cause of the death of more than 20 million people since 1945. There are more than 15 million refugees and over 5.4 million displaced people in the world today, the majority of whom live in developing countries adding to the poverty of these already poor nations.

There are innumerable causes of war: hoarding of wealth (oil, uranium), ideological conflicts, racial hatred, the problem of non-resolved border disputes, an imperialistic concept of nationalism, pressure from the arms industry, manipulation by the major powers. The arms industry plays a considerable role at the international level but also in the local economies, making it difficult to set a policy for this sector (ex. the re-conversion of the arms industry for civil purposes). According to official statistics the arms trade brought in 18 billion US dollars in 1992 (which is far off from the real figures).

War and violence takes a toll on development: cost of material destruction (infrastructures equipment), cost in human life (consequently the work-force), the re-direction of investments (purchase of arms). The UNDP estimates that military expenses were approximately $7,000 billion US. between 1987 and 1992 which is equal to the total revenue of half the population of the planet for the same period. According to the UNDP a simple reduction of 3% per year between 1995 and the year 2000 would allow us to recuperate $460 billion US for development.

top arms exporters	exports (1988-92) millions of US$	top arms importers	imports (1988-92) millions of US$
USA	54968	India	12235
USSR/Russia	45182	Japan	9224
France	9349	Saudi Arabia	8690
Germany	8190	Afghanistan	7515
China	7659	Greece	6197
UK	7623	Turkey	6167
Czechoslovakia	3163	Iraq	4967
Netherlands	2048	-	-
Italy	1613	-	-

source: UNDP, 1994

The United Nations was created in 1945 as a means of avoiding new wars. It was set up to promote collaboration and to serve as a mechanism for mediation and to set in place a global strategy for economic development (a basic requirement for establishing peace). The United Nations brings together almost the totality of officially recognized countries (185 at the present time). Although they meet together in the General Assembly to discuss their problems (including conflicts that could degenerate into war) each country remains sovereign. The United Nations cannot impose its will on the member states since it has no real power over them. This assembly presently is organized and presided over by the General Secretary (Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali).

The United Nations created various organizations to help in the carrying out of its mandate: the UNDP (United Nations Development Program), WFO (World Food Organization), WHO (World Health Organization), UNESCO (United Nations Program for Education, Science and Communication). UNWED, a program responsible for promoting the interests of the poorest countries acts as a Committee of the General Assembly. The UNHCR (United Nations High Commission for Refugees), ensures aid to the victims of war. Since 1955, 27.4 million people have benefited from its services.

The Security Council is composed of fifteen member countries whose responsibility is to monitor peace throughout the world. The Council has 5 standing members (victor countries in World War II): U.S.A., France, Great Britain, the Russian Federation, Mainland China and ten other countries chosen on a rotational basis. The Security Council initiates itself or receives through its members solutions that deal with war. It is the duty of the Council to propose a certain number of resolutions that will help put a stop to the hostilities (its role is that of a mediator for peace); it is also responsible for sending peace-keepers (now in 20 countries), an armed force that has the specific mandate of bringing hostilities to an end or of maintaining peace.

The United Nations Charter We the people of the United Nations determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and the worth of the humnan person in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treatises and other sources of international law can be maintained, and to promote social progress and better standards for living in larger freedom, AND FOR THESE ENDS to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours and to unite our strength to maintain internaitonal peace and security, and to ensure, by the acceptance of principles and the institution of methods, that armed force shall not be used, save in the common interest, and employ international machinery for the promotion of the econnomic and social advancement of all peoples, HAVE RESOLVED TO COMBINE OUR EFFORTS TO ACCOMPLISH THESE AIMS. Accordingly, our respective governments, through representatives assembled in the city of San Francisco, who have exhibited their fullpowers found to be in good and due form, have agreed to the present Charter of the United Nations and do hereby establish an international organisation ot be known as the United Nations.

Different Popes have invited Christians to defend the U.N. system, for despite its imperfections, it is a step in the right direction in that it strives to promote the common good and keep war to a minimum... John XXIII, Paul VI and John Paul II have all pleaded in favor of the United Nations. See Pacem in Terris (137) and Sollicitudo Rei Socialis (43).

There are criticisms against the U.N; it is expensive to maintain (many bureaucrats, meetings generate little interest, large amounts spent on receptions...), not effective because it depends on the good will of each member state, dominated by the major powers... and yet despite all of these criticisms the overall performance rate of the U.N. is far from negative.

In the majority of countries today the national budgets contain large amounts for defense and military expenses, often at the detriment of education, health and social programs. This is a problem that requires a reflection process from the Christian perspective.

Example of a questionnaire on peace and defense (Justice and Peace, France)

A What can Christians say ?

1.1. It is obvious that questions related to peace and defense are of the technological, strategic and political domain ... Do you believe they also have a link with the Christian conscience? why? Do Christian communities, in the name of their faith and because of their hope, have anything to say about these issues?

1.2. It is clear that the scripture message does not offer a detailed response to our questions about armament and defense... What does scripture offer?

- A vision, a definition of peace? Which one?

- A specific direction?

- Hope founded on peace, gift of God?

- Something else?

1.3. According to you, what type of text should come from Christian communities relative to these questions:

- a prophetic proclamation of peace, but what is "prophetism"?

- specific moral imperatives?

- should we go into detail and pass harsh judgment on the fabrication and the use of arms?

Try to substantiate your answer: in the name of what?

B. Situational analysis

2.1. What is your perception of the present international situation ? Describe it briefly. What are the main threats for your country, the world?

2.2. What is your perception of the arms race?

- a fatality? a process that has gotten out of hand? a process in which we have little responsibility?

- Do you perceive it as a threat?

2.3. Do you feel your country is at all threatened? If so, what exactly is the threat? In what way is this conditioned by geopolitical strategies? ideologies? internal difficulties?

2.4. What bearing does public opinion have on the military situation (particularly peace movements)?

2.5. In general, do you think that you are sufficiently well informed about the military policies of your country?

C. Christians and peace

3.1. How would you characterize the various positions taken by Christians on issues related to peace?

3.2. What are the points around which there is agreement and consensus?

3.3. Do you believe that the Gospel or other texts of the Church can help you to take up the challenge of peace? What would you say is helpful in this regard:

- a Christian doctrine for peace?

- a doctrine of legitimate defense?

- criteria for a just war?

- an orientation to inform conduct in conflicts of duty?

- a tradition of non-violence based on the gospel?

- the gospel principle of love of enemies?...

D. Practical proposals

4.1. What concrete orientations would you want to see in a defense policy ? What short term solutions are possible? Long term ?

4.2. What actions must be undertaken in the area of peace education ?

Problems of violence often begin within us. The Justice and Peace approach invites us to take a serious look at the violence we feel and express. Psycho-sociological analysis can lead to heightened awareness about this. We should also analyze our behavior during sporting events, observe what happens in crowd situations, look at how we handle delinquents and how we deal with community situations in general...

The Bible does not treat violence lightly, it takes the issue very seriously as one of the components of humanity. We are often shocked in the Bible at the many descriptions of violence not only done by Israel (Joshua 6:17-21 and 7:23-29) but even by God (Joel 2:1-11 or Amos 23:13-16). Job raises the question of the relationship between God and violence (Ch. 38 to 42) and the same can be found in Kings (1 Kings 18-19). The Prophets are bearers of a new message where Peace is at the center of God's plan (particularly Isaiah 11:6-8).

In the New Testament violence is linked to the Kingdom of God (ex. Math. 11:12 and Luke 16:16 ), but Jesus takes a stand and speaks out against violence and criticism in favor of forgiveness and love. (Math. 5:43-48, Mark 14:43; 15:41). By adopting an attitude of non-violence at the time of his Passion, Jesus reveals to us the destructive nature of violence. The Resurrection reveals the action of God that creates a world where violence is overcome by the one who was put to death because of the violence of men.

The New Testament proposes conversion as a way to free ourselves of violence and the way of forgiveness and love to avoid the deadly downward spiral of hate.

There exist many possibilities for training to non-violence and mediation (skills to help others move from conflict to peace.) The Sisters of San Rafael (USA) participate in the Pace et Bene movement under the leadership of the Franciscans. The movement offers a 10-step training program to prepare people to become community animators in non-violence. At their 1994 Chapter, the Sisters of San Rafael invited each one of the sisters to make a commitment to non-violence.

Another place of training (11 week program): Responding To Conflict: 1046 Bristol Road, Birmingham, B29 6LJ, UK. (fax 44.0.121.415.56.41

Short bibliography:
Pontifical Commission for Justice and Peace "Social Teachings of John Paul II on the theme of non-violence" and the " International Arms Trade, An Ethical Reflection," 1994. See also the annual reports of Amnesty International...

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