Northeast Regional Conference
March 2008

The Second Northeast Regional Department of Peace Conference was held March 28-30, 2008, at The Canonicus Retreat Center in Exeter, RI. Attendees came from Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, and New Jersey to share their ideas and experiences in the movement to create a cabinet level Department of Peace and Nonviolence.

With our Peace Dove float, "Grace" in tow, the NH DoP team arrived early to set Grace up as the official greeter. There were many photo ops with Grace throughout the weekend.

Friday evening's keynote speaker, Dot Maver, President and CEO of Peace Partnership International spoke on "Being the Change and the Global Peace Movement." Saturday was filled with workshops ranging from Intro to DoP legislation and Campaign for Newcomers, Unraveling the Patriarchy for Peace, It Takes a Village: Bringing Veterans Home to Nonviolent Communication and Restorative Justice & Prison Practices.

About a third of the 85 attendees were students, many of which are part of the Student Peace Alliance. These young people brought an abundant amount of energy and ideas to share. One student commented on how exciting it was for her to be among like-minded adults who listened to what the students had to say.

During the 3-day conference, attendees were treated to the wonderful music of Peace Troubadour, Cecilia St. King.

Participants left refreshed, renewed and reinvigorated for the many tasks that await us in our campaign to establish a United States Department of Peace and Nonviolence.

The Maine Campaign for a U.S. Department of Peace and Nonviolence works to engage Maine citizens in support of current legislation (HR808) to create a cabinet level department in the federal government—making peace and nonviolence the organizing principles of our culture and our national objective.

All 50 states are working toward gaining support from their members of congress, leading to committee hearings and ultimately, a vote in Congress. There are currently 67 representatives co-sponsoring the legislation. The Maine delegation has yet to sign on.

Nationally, the Peace Alliance, a non-partisan, citizen-action organization is working to foster positive, proactive change toward the creation of a more nonviolent and peaceful world. HR808 will initiate practical, non-violent solutions to the problems of domestic and international conflict. The Department will develop policies and allocate resources to programs proven to reduce levels of domestic and gang violence, child abuse and school discord. Internationally it will advise the President and Congress and offer the most sophisticated ideas and techniques directed towards peace creation among nations.

For information about this legislation and campaign, visit The Peace Alliance at www.thepeacealliance.org. To become involved or make a donation, call Lynn Ellis, Maine Campaign Coordinator, at 207-491-5064.