Women in Action – Promoting Peace - Protecting the Environment
Established in Vienna the summer of 2001, the founding members
of Global Mothers – Women in Action for the Environment
and Peace, are a group of women who, as we watched the environmental
and social negligence being practiced in all facets of life, on
both the local and the global scale, became fed up with being
frightened and passive about what the future would bring to our
children. The solution was the formation of Global Mothers, in
order to take an active part in promoting positive and constructive
change.
What are our goals?
Our goal is to unite all mothers, fathers and
members of humanity concerned with the environmental and social
future of our planet, into one strong and powerful voice capable
of making a difference.
In the near future, we would like to see Global Mothers active
in every country around the world. Branches have already been
established in Norway, Australia and Siberia. By building a network
with other national and international organizations focused on
women’s environmental and peace issues, we can act and respond
with more impact and information.
How can we do this?
Informed and conscious decisions are the cornerstones of lasting
and positive change. The more people able to use these tools,
the stronger our voice becomes. And with these tools, our actions,
regardless of how large or small, do make a difference. The power,
that we as individuals wield is enormous – financially,
politically, socially. We only need to join together and focus
this power in the right direction.
“Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve
me and I understand.” (Chinese proverb)
What have we done?
One of our most important environmental issues in the Summer
of 2001 was the support of the Kyoto Protocol and the gathering
of thousands of signatures for our “Kyoto Appeal”
addressed to President George W. Bush.
The Fall of 2001 saw all of our lives being affected with the
acts of terror and the war that followed. The concern that we
voiced, along with other organizations both nationally and internationally,
was the use of extreme military force without any regard to the
lives that where being affected by these attacks. We called for
sober assessments and solutions and not acts of revenge.
For the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development
in August of 2002 we gathered signatures for our “Appeal
to the Governments of the World” and supported “WECF
- Women in Europe for a Common Future” in their Peace Appeal
of Women. In the Summer of 2002 we also gathered donations for
the “Committee of Russian Soldier Mothers”.
We have been active in the problem of Israel/Palestine, with several
peace vigils and close cooperation with Women in Black –
Vienna. We were on the Anti War Committee of the Austrian Social
Forum before and during the War in Iraq. We organized several
peace vigils and collected thousands of signatures in this respect
addressed to President George W. Bush and also had appeals to
the UN Security Council.
The “Year of Water” was our main environmental theme
in 2003 as well as the support of the “Stop GATS”
campaign.
What can you do?
We know how little time you have – we feel the same. Therefore,
the more people joining us in this endeavour, the more the burden
is spread. We need to, first and foremost, support each other
in our efforts to secure a better future for our children.
No matter how big or small your voice is, it does make a difference.
No matter how much or how little time you can give, every effort
helps.
Let us hear from you! What are your concerns, thoughts, fears
about the environmental and social future of the planet? Even
if you feel you haven’t a moment to spare, talk to us, inform
us, motivate us!
Global Mothers - Women in Action
Graben 27/3/14
A – 1010 Vienna, Austria
Phone/Fax: +43-1-533 20 38
Email: global-mothers@chello.at
Donations?
Your financial support is needed. We know that hundreds of worthy
organizations are asking for your support, and they all deserve
it, so we thank you in advance for your much needed donations
to Global Mothers.
Bank account for Global Mothers
BAWAG
Account #: 10010 674021 BLZ 14000
Thank you for your interest and support.