الكاتب: Johan Galtung

In 2003, from a TRANSCEND perspective on Caucasus (50 Years: 100 Peace & Conflict Perspectives, TRANSCEND University Press, 2008, chapter 39c, see also chapter 64): TRANSCEND was asked in June 1997 to explore possible ways out for the (South) Caucasian situation. As nothing along the lines suggested (broadly speaking, a Caucasian Community for the 3 countries and the 28 nations in the area, with a joint territory where the three countries meet, in the center, for joint administration, a major airport etc.) was implemented, the prognosis years ago becomes the diagnosis of today: Big Men with Big Clans will make…

المزيد

A sad drama is unfolding in one European country after the other: higher barriers for immigrants, and for citizenship. Denmark, today one of the least tolerant countries, has an exam in Danish facts and values, Germany and France are planning the same, Norway’s opposition party, probably in government next year, is contemplating; as opposed to Sweden, with citizenship automatic after five years residence. All over there is much talk about a contract with rules binding immigrants-citizens.

المزيد

Like today, Anglo-America (A-A) faced two major challenges in Europe in the first between-wars period: communism from Lenin took power in 1917, and nazism from Hitler was given power in 1933. The latter was a geo-political challenge with Germany demanding revision of Versailles, Neuordnung in Europe with Lebensraum – a New Order and space – as did Italy more to the South, with il nuovo ordine.

المزيد

Dear friends in peace, Peace Be Upon You, Sala’am Aleikum!   My task at the end of this very impressive conference with 150 participants here in Hermansburg on the Lüneburger Heide is to fly above the nitty-gritty of failing implementations of the many peace agreements, report the visions, and indicate possible solutions that have been tried successfully elsewhere.

المزيد

Late 1958, 50 years ago, the revolution won, Batista fled, Fidel and his brother Raúl entered Habana early 1959. The rest is history. Castro’s resignation as President is a mini-event.

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The United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution on 15 June 2007 to observe and celebrate annually Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday, October 2, as the International Day of Nonviolence. The resolution was piloted by India and was co-sponsored by 142 countries. Among those not cosponsoring were the United States and Norway. On 2 October 2007 there was an informal meeting of the UN General Assembly Plenary. Among the speakers were the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, and Sonia Gandhi who also expressed her gratitude to the co-sponsors of the resolution. Following that there was a Round Table Meeting in…

المزيد

Introductory Speech at the TRANSCEND International Meeting, 6-12 June 2007, Vienna, Austria by Johan Galtung, Dr hc mult, Professor of Peace Studies; Founder, TRANSCEND, a peace and development network (www.transcend.org) transcribed by Anna Fisher and Francesco Marelli European University Center for Peace Studies (EPU), Stadtschlaining, Austria I first want to say a few words about the current G8 meeting, and then talk about major conflicts in the world. This will cover much of the world situation, a reflection on global capitalism, and the US Empire and its imminent demise and what will happen after that.

المزيد

A speech given by Professor Johan Galtung* in Oslo on 25 April 2007 at a rally protesting the meeting of NATO foreign ministers. Foreign Ministers of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, You are not welcome. The best thing about your meeting is the short duration. We wish you good riddance.

المزيد

The unspeakable tragedy that unfolded in the sixth Israel-Arab war should force us to focus on what peace might look like. The building blocs are clear, but they are threatened particularly by those who stop thinking when it is most needed. The building blocs are: [1] The UN Resolution 194 and UN Security Council 242, demanding the return of Palestinians who so want, and the withdrawal of Israel to the borders before the June 1967 war. [2] The resolution by the Palestine National Council of 15 November 1988, thereby accepting a two state solution. [3] The proposal by Saudi Arabia…

المزيد

1. DiagnosisThe Danish Jyllandsposten published 30 September 2005 12 cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed (also by Norwegian Magazinet). They were offensive by being provocatively malicious, with stereotypical, polarizing ideas of Islam = Bombing. Whereas Islamic nation (the umma) is divided, mainly by the West, into states, the West consists of more or less multi-cultural states with Christianity dominant. Had the act been committed by a Muslim it would have been high treason against the umma; committed by a non-Muslim it is at least highly offensive, like insulting somebody's mother and father, or depicting Jesus Christ as an Abu Ghraib torturer.…

المزيد