| Re: Tenth anniversary issue, December 15-21, 2005.
Congratulations on turning 10! Your commitment to creating a venue for the voice of those working for social change has a significant impact on the culture of our city and reverberates in many wonderful ways here in Calgary and throughout the world. Though we may not realize the full extent of our influence, when we act with the motivation for positive, compassionate and effective change, the world will change with us.
A recent study put out by the Liu Institute for Global Studies at the University of B.C. shows a significant decline in numbers of armed conflicts and number of states involved in armed conflicts over the past 10 years (www.humansecurityreport.info). In fact, the world endured 32 armed conflicts in 26 states during 2004, but both figures were the lowest since 1987. These figures correspond with an increase in multilateral efforts at peacemaking, peacekeeping and peacebuilding (Project Ploughshares Armed Conflict Report 2005). Despite the persistence of political, communal and criminal violence across the globe, there is evidence that international efforts to reduce, end and prevent armed conflicts are bearing fruit.
By reporting on the efforts of the Calgary Peace community you are a part of the global impetus to create world peace. Thank you!
Tracey Pickup, Project Ploughshares Calgary
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