WORK EXPERIENCE
Global Week of Action
Rose Welsch has worked as the United Nations Liaison for the International Action Network on Small Arms since January 2016. She recently spoke at the United Nations General Assembly First Committee on civil society concerns about the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms in preparation for the upcoming Review Conference. Before working with IANSA, Welsch worked as an international coordinator for Peace Boat.
United Nations Representative at Baha'i International Community (BIC)
Daniel Perell joined the Baha'i International Community’s United Nations Office as a Representative in 2011. His areas of work include social and sustainable development, global citizenship, human rights, the role of religion in society, and defense of the Baha'i Community. He is currently a Global Organizing Partner of the NGO Major Group and the Chair of the NGO Committee for Social Development. In 2010, Mr. Perell received a JD from the University of Virginia School of Law and an MA in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School at Tufts University and was admitted to the New York State Bar Association. Mr. Perell has worked with the International Service for Human Rights in Geneva, the UN in Aceh, Indonesia and other organizations in the Marshall Islands and Chile.
UN Representative for the Global Movement For a Culture of Peace
Georgina Galanis is a cultural creative, spiritual empath, sacred space / textile artist, writer and founder of THE COLORS OF LIFE: a portal manifesting creative potentials and peace initiatives for inside out consciousness evolution inspired by the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi’s satyagraha + ahimsa non violent peace practices. She has served non profit boards in world service towards healing communities, some of them herein; Association for Spirituality and Psychotherapy, Org for the Arts and Whole Brain Learning, Humanitarian Outreach Enrichment + Curriculum. She is the recipient of Orphans International Humanitarian Award 2011, and 2016 Alexander the Great Award as NGO ECOSOC representative of Institute of Inter-Balkan Relations. Ms Galanis is a founding member of Global Movement for the Culture of Peace, a United Nations related global community dedicated to implementing A/RES.53/243 Declaration on a Programme of Action for the Culture of Peace. A global citizen by birth, born in South Australia and raised in eastern Ontario, Canada with Greek origins, she is presently a dedicated member of the Steering committee for Coalition for Global Citizenship 2030, a UN initiative at the forefront of Education for Global Citizenship.
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ABOUT: WEEK OF ACTION
The Week of Action is a campaign created by the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) in 2003. It promotes the elimination of the expansion and abuse of guns and other weapons to generate a safe environment for all.
This year’s theme is “Rise up for Humanity: Control the Guns.”
Through global participation, this campaign calls for governments to increase control over ammunition and provide stronger support to survivors of gun violence.
Moreover, IANSA also encourages civic engagement by raising awareness, networking with people affected by gun violence.
The Global Week of Action against Gun Violence is a crucial international movement that highlights the importance of the right to life, and world safety.
Gun violence in the world
05/27/19 - Dana Tohme
What first crosses your mind when you think about small arms and light weapons (SALW)? Mass shootings, terrorism, or war and conflict? What about suicide? Would you believe that in some countries “more people are killed by guns in suicides than in murders”[1]? For instance, in 2016, Germany experienced less than 100 gun murders, but the number of suicides caused by guns was about 1,000[2]. Furthermore, the number of gun-related suicides in the United States is twice as high as the number of gun-related homicides[3]. Nonetheless, two-thirds of the international deaths caused by firearms in 2016 were manslaughter[4].
Gun violence over the years has decreased, but unfortunately, is still severely prevalent in everyday life. In 2016, there were over 500 deaths and 2,000 injuries daily[5]. Between 2012 and 2016, around 1.4 million individuals globally lost their lives because of armed violence[6]. Half of these deaths were mainly concentrated in the American continent, more specifically in the United States, and 5 other Latin American countries, such as Venezuela and Guatemala[7]. Despite the high level of deaths associated with firearms in these countries, the latter only comprises 10% of the global population[8].
The use of small weapons violates the human rights of individuals around the world. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states in Article 3 that “everyone has the right to life, liberty and security”[9]. However, the proliferation of guns and other small arms violates this basic right to protection and safety. The easier the access to guns, the higher the homicides and suicides rates are and the more human rights are violated.
In response to the global proliferation of guns, the United Nations developed a specific goal that advocates for universal harmony and the reduction of armed violence. Among the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) created in 2015, SDG 16 focuses on the promotion of international peace as SDG 16.4 advocates for the reduction of “illicit financial and arms flow.” Furthermore, SDG 5.2 calls for the end of gender-based violence, while SDG 4.A focuses on creating a non-violent and non-discriminatory environment. Thus, the United Nations, which includes member states and civil society, as well as NGOs around the world are working toward creating a safe and sheltered environment worldwide.
Join the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) in the fight against the expansion and abuse of guns and other weapons to improve and save lives globally!
Rose Welsch
Director of The International Action Network on Small Arms
Rose Welsch has worked as the United Nations Liaison for the International Action Network on Small Arms since January 2016. She recently spoke at the United Nations General Assembly First Committee on civil society concerns about the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms in preparation for the upcoming Review Conference. Before working with IANSA, Welsch worked as an international coordinator for Peace Boat.
Guns Purchased for Protection
05/27/19 - Aaron Muench
Most individuals in the United States today buy guns to ensure their safety. However, the purchase of small weapons only decreases their protection. In point of fact, it has severe social repercussions as it increases chances of domestic violence and suicides... Read along to learn more about the damaging consequences gun ownership has on people’s lives.
The Economic Cost of Gun Violence and Ownership
05/27/19 - Leticia Murillo
Many argue that the gun market is beneficial for the American economy as it generates employment and creates job opportunities. On the other hand, others claim that guns are crucial because wildlife agencies heavily depend on the license fees and the taxes placed on these small arms. Read along to learn about the damaging economic impact of the gun and hunting industries.
A Proactive Approach to Saving Lives
05/27/19 - Pamela Guerrero
The shootings in Columbine shocked the American nation in 1999. Unfortunately, this was only the first of many gun massacres that perpetuated into other sectors. Gun policies in the United States are weak and enable the manifestation of armed violence today and in the past. Read along to learn about the importance of stricter gun laws and regulations.
The Influence of Violent Media on Global Gun Violence
05/27/19 - Harita Vyas
Gun violence is embedded in the everyday life of any individual who has access to technology. It is strongly present in the entertainment industry, which is available to people of all backgrounds and ages. Read along to learn about the negative influence violence in the media has on people’s behavior and its relation to gun violence.
Yeshua is a human rights and disarmament activist, author, lecturer and nonviolence trainer/educator.
He has organized, or participated in, 'people's power' initiatives, from the local to the national level, on four continents, and in a score of countries.
From 1992 to 2005 Yeshua was the Regional Representative for Nonviolence International in Southeast Asia. Through that regional office, he focused on building the capacity in human rights organizations to think strategically about waging their struggle by nonviolent means, and co-authored two reports analysing widely used methods of nonviolent struggle.
Yeshua has developed and led training programs in nonviolent third party intervention as well as human rights monitoring, for activists and workers entering areas of social or armed conflict.
He currently is a Consultant to the International Peace Bureau in Geneva and serves on the board of the AJ Muste International Nonviolence Trainers Fund.
Since 2005 Yeshua has been a research coordinator and editor of the annual reports of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines and the Cluster Munition Coalition.
US Constitution Does Not Guarantee Individual Gun Ownership - Misleading Interpretation of the Second Amendment
05/27/19 - Njomeza Blakcori
Americans believe that the Second Amendment ensures the right to carry small weapons. However, does this law really promote U.S civilians’ right to arms? Are Americans misinterpreting the constitution? Read along to deconstruct and better understand the second amendment.
Fred Lubang
Nonviolence Director - Southeast Asia Office
Not So Neighborly: The Negative Impact of Lax U.S. Gun Laws on Mexico & Canada
05/27/19 - Alison Skilton
The laws and regulations regarding gun violence in the United States are lax and indulgent. Not only do they negatively impact Americans, they also affect neighboring countries like Mexico and Canada. The U.S gun market perpetuates itself into these countries, despite their severe gun policies. This enables easier access to small weapons internationally. Read along to learn about the global gun market between the United States and countries near its borders.
Call to Action
JOIN US TO PUT AN END TO THE ILLICIT TRADE AND MISUSE OF SMALL ARMS AND LIGHT WEAPONS AROUND THE WORLD
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This Campaign is Sponsored by
Thank you all who have worked on this incredible campaign, here is a list of all who have contributed to the campaign directly:
Dana Tohme - Leticia Murillo - Pamela Guerrero - Harita Vyas - Aaron Muench - Njomeza Blakcori - Alison Skilton - Moana Chavez - Shaune Hickson - Amelia Kirshbaum - Amelie Namuroy - Carolyn Smith - Marcellus Henderson - David Kirshbaum - Joshua Kirshbaum
Sixteen Days - 2018
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TIME FOR CHANGE
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign to challenge violence against women and girls. The campaign runs every year from November 25th, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, until December 10th, Human Rights Day. It was initiated in 1991 by the first Women's Global Leadership Institute, and held by the Center for Women's Global Leadership (CWGL) at Rutgers University. Impunity, ignominy and silence have allowed violence against fellow human beings because of gender or gender identity to escalate to pandemic proportions. It is time to let the voices of survivors be heard, and work toward ending gender-based violence entirely!
PARTICIPATE IN THE 16 DAYS
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Art of Survival II - 16 Days
The Art of Survival II
A 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Event
the First Art of Survival
16 Days
JOIN NONVIOLENCE INTERNATIONAL
And be a part of our AMAZING and MEANINGFUL event embodying the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign. This event will bring light to a very important cause that is close at HEART to many on our team.
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We aim to amplify the stories of survivors by illustrating their strength, resilience, and determination as we support ending the abuse of power and control over fellow human beings because of gender or gender identity, through art.
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Schedule
INTRODUCTION
PRESENTATION
INTRODUCTION
Anne-Sophie Henrich and Amelie Namuroy
PERFORMANCES
Sneha Sinha
Recounting her survival story
and presenting her art
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