Creating a World Peace Force

November 2009

NAME OF FACILITATOR:

James Park

E-MAIL ADDRESS:

PARKx032@TC.UMN.EDU

PHONE:

612-871-7275

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Even a movement requiring 100 years for completion
must begin with year one.
How many of the 6 billion people living on the Earth
would favor giving up their national armed forces
if there were a World Peace Force
to maintain world law-and-order?
Today probably less than 5% would agree to disarm.
But if each year this percentage
could be increased by 1 percentage point,
then about 100 years from now,
the World Peace Force would be fully operational.

Local police forces would still be required
to enforce all local, state,&national laws.
But the World Peace Force would prevent genocide
and keep all conflicts between nations non-violent.

This seminar will take the form of three sessions,
two hours each.
As discussion-starters, participants will read
a few on-line essays found here:
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~parkx032/Y-WPF-B.html
These 3-page essays include titles such as:
"Blessed are the Peacemakers"
"How a World Peace Force Would Handle Situations Like Iraq
Better than the United States as Policeman"
"World without War"
"World Peace Force---100 Years for Transition"
and a series under the general title:
WHAT WOULD THE WORLD PEACE FORCE DO?

What might emerge from this EXCO group?
Do you want to meet others who dream
of making Earth a planet at peace?
While we work to end particular wars,
can we imagine ways in which such wars could have been prevented?
Spread the word among all your friends committed to peace.

FACILITATOR:

James Park is an independent
existential philosopher and advocate of world peace.
He is the author of the Internet essays
that will be discussed in this seminar.

During his long career in alternative adult education,
he has led about 200 different discussion groups.
Most of these were in the Minnesota Free University.
See more information about his
career in alternative adult education,
including a few other possible classes.

CLASS TIMES:

Thursday evenings 7:00-9:00 PM.

CLASS DATES:

November 5, 12, 19.
Other dates are possible.
What do you suggest?

PLACE:

1829 THIRD AVENUE SOUTH, APT 218,
home of the facilitator:
Lofts on Arts Avenue.

CLASS SIZE:

At least 10, no more than 20.

INTERNET PRESENCE:

After only 20 days on the EXCO website,
this class has risen to #1 or #2 on Google
for the exact words "World Peace Force".

People who love peace anywhere in the world
are welcome to use the on-line essays linked above
as discussion-starters for groups anywhere.
Simply send the URL of the selected essay
to your group before the meeting.

(updated August 3, 2009)