Hague Appeal for Peace-Canada
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1999 Hague Appeal for Peace(1) The campaign
The Hague Appeal for Peace (HAP) 1999 is a worldwide civil society conference scheduled for May 11 to 15, 1999, the centennial anniversary of the First Hague Peace Conference. That conference in 1899 laid the foundations for the International Court of Justice, as well as the League of Nations, which was superseded eventually by the United Nations. A worldwide coalition of NGOs is preparing for the May, 1999 civil society conference. The Hague Appeal is built around four themes:
1. strengthening international humanitarian and human rights laws and institutions;
2. advancing the prevention, peaceful resolution and transformation of violent conflict;
3. developing and linking disarmament efforts, including nuclear weapons abolition;
4. addressing the root causes of war and building a culture of peace.The conference will address numerous specific items under these themes. It will provide a forum in which different elements of civil society will be able to exchange ideas, develop global linkages, and strengthen their capacity to achieve the overall goals of the HAP. The expected outcome will be the Hague Agenda for Action, which will set forth short and long term objectives for peace action in the 21st century.
In addition, a Global Forum will showcase ongoing campaigns, resources, cultural activities, an international career and peace education fair, and much more.
Through the Hague Appeal for Peace new partnerships will be created between civil society, governments and international organizations - the "new diplomacy" - to make progress toward peace. The HAP will invite governments and international organizations to the Civil Society Conference, and NGOs will attend the intergovernmental meetings.
(2) Intergovernmental meetings
The HAP Civil Society Conference is closely linked to an inter-governmental process - called the "Friends of 99." The Friends of 99 - a grouping of 25 states - is led by the Dutch and Russian governments. They have scheduled two conferences. The first, on "Normative Aspects of International Humanitarian Law," is scheduled to follow the civil society conference, May 17 to 19, also at The Hague. The second intergovernmental conference, on "Implementation of International Humanitarian Law," will be held at St. Petersburg, June 23 to 25. These conferences take place as part of the closing of the UN Decade of International Law. The Friends of 99 have published discussion papers and organized regional preparatory meetings around the world. An estimated 50 to 70 states will be represented at the intergovernmental meetings next May and June.
The intergovernmental process is mandated by a UN resolution, but is not funded or organized by the UN. (The growing influence of civil society was one reason some states were opposed to making the Hague Peace Conference a full blown UN conference.)
Canada is not officially a member of the Friends of 99. However, Canadian representatives are expected to figure prominently in the Hague Peace Conferences, contributing to both the Civil Society Conference and the intergovernmental meetings. The HAP Civil Society Conference will host major international meetings on topics (e.g. small arms, international criminal court, children in armed conflict) which are also current foreign policy priorities of the Canadian government.
(3) HAP Canada
A Canadian NGO Network and Preparatory Process - "HAP Canada" - has been established. The World Federalists of Canada has agreed to serve as the 'administrative home' for this Canadian network and preparatory framework. Canadian NGO representatives from the international law, peace, human rights and development communities serve on a Coordinating Committee.
HAP Canada serves two functions:
* Networking. Canadians need to know what's going on, what to expect, how they can be involved in preparations for this historic conference. HAP Canada provides the needed coordination and serves as an information clearinghouse.
* Dialogue and policy development. HAP Canada facilitates substantive discussions around particular legal and political issues and proposals. The results of these consultations will feed in to the global conferences and be reflected in the Hague Agenda for Action.
For more information, please contact:
(1) HAP-Canada, c/o 207 - 145 Spruce St., Ottawa K1R 6P1.
TEL: 613-232-0647; FAX: 613-563-0017;
E-mail: wfcnat@web.net
Web site: http://www.web.net/~wfcnat/hapcan(2) HAP International Secretariat: 777 UN Plaza, New York, NY 10017 U.S.A.
TEL: 212-687-2623; FAX: 212-599-1332; E-mail: hap99@igc.apc.org;
web site: http://www.haguepeace.org(3) To learn more about the Friends of 99, the inter-governmental conferences and process,
contact http://www.minbuza.nl/english/conferences/c_peace1.html
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