Africa, one of the most militarized regions in the world, is regaining the democratic path, and one of the main challenges is how to attain stability in politics and economic development. Demilitarization has been identified as viable security option that could be pursued to attain these objectives.

OBJECTIVES

1. Academic studies of the demilitarization potential of twenty nations will be completed by 2009.

2. Some of the Central American nations will start the process of demilitarization by 2010.

3. Other nations with high demilitarization potential will start and complete the process of abolishing their armies.

4. The United Nations will establish a Council for Nations Without Armies by 2015.

5. Citizens throughout the world will become fully aware of those nations currently without armies and the many advantages of a society free from the burden of maintaining military forces.

6. Individuals who feel disenchanted and disfranchised by national and international politics will be empowered by participating in movements and conversations that can change the future of the international security system.

METHODS

• We support the Costa Rica Initiative--a women’s initiative for Central America Without Armies.

• We encourage researchers in peace studies and other relevant fields to conduct research on demilitarization potential of nations.

• We request that the governments of nations with no armies, including Costa Rica, Iceland, and Panama, propose to the United Nations General Assembly the establishment of a Council for Nations Without Armies. The Council will discuss the security of their member states and undertake action on their behalf.

• We promote Courageous Conversations--friendly, and non-polarized discussions that explore the need and steps for creating a world without war.

• We support and sponsor peace and reconciliation programs in many parts of the world.

NATIONS CURRENTLY WITHOUT ARMIES

Andorra, Costa Rica, Faroe Islands. Haiti, Iceland, Kiribati, Lichtenstein, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Montserrat, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Panama, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Vatican City, and Western Sahara.

NATIONS INTERESTED IN DEMILITARIZATION

In Switzerland, 35.6% of the voters supported the abolishment of its army in a referendum in 1989.

In 1998, the conference “The Leadership Challenges of Demilitarization in Africa” (LCDA) took place in Tanzania. There, officials from twenty-seven countries discussed the political, social, economic, and philosophical ramifications of demilitarization in the future, demonstrating a strong interest among nations in the abolishment of armed forces.