Dear John,

In 2014, World BEYOND War was founded to be international, intersectional, and abolitionist. The idea was to bring together a global network of individuals and organizations with the shared goal of ending the institution of war. Seven years later, in an era of skyrocketing military budgets and the ongoing COVID pandemic, that mission is both more important than ever, but also more attainable through the use of innovative digital platforms that allow us to connect across time zones without leaving our homes.

June 4-6, 2021 will be our 6th annual global conference, but our first truly global conference because this time, we're not restricted to any one geographic location. Even though we're still 2 months out from the event, we've got speakers and attendees lined up from across 16 countries and counting, from Norway to New Zealand, from Mexico to Iran. And with the new Hopin virtual platform, we can mimic the conference experience. More than a webinar, you'll be able to "hop around" the event to visit sponsoring organizations' booths, engage in one-on-one video calls with other participants, attend trainings, panels, and discussion groups, and create your own.

In these uncertain and challenging times, as we witness ongoing wars and humanitarian crises around the world, while governments continue to jack up military spending, #NoWar2021 creates a much-needed space for global community building, reflection, learning, and skills sharing. The very enormity of the institution of war and its impact on every person on earth can also be our organizing advantage, because we can collectivize our shared experience of war and militarism and unify our strategies and tactics for amplified impact.

#NoWar2021 is doing just that by bringing nonviolent direct action trainers, grassroots organizers, and activists from around the world, to share what works and what doesn't. From New Zealand to Canada, England to Australia, how have activists successfully shut down weapons expos? What lessons can we learn from base closure campaigns in Montenegro and Czech Republic? What does nonviolent direct action organizing look like in Iraq vs the US? Which of our own assumptions can we let go of by meeting with folks from countries that have been sanctioned and demonized, like Iran?

#NoWar2021 aims to break down international borders, re-imagine virtual spaces, expose the global impact of the war machine, and ultimately, point towards the pathway for proven strategies of demilitarization and economic conversion. Reserve your spot for this June 4-6.

See you at #NoWar2021,

Greta Zarro
Organizing Director
World BEYOND War
[email protected]

World BEYOND War is a global network of volunteers, chapters, and affiliated organizations advocating for the abolition of the institution of war.
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