Disarmament for Peace and Development
Warfare or Welfare?
Conference 10-12 February 2009
Venues:
Indian Social Institute, Mahatma Gandhi Square and Christ University, Bangalore India.
Organised by:
Control Arms Foundation of India (CAFI), Christ University and FEDINA, Bangalore.
Welcome to three days of workshops, demonstrations and round table conference!
In 2006, India spent 3.5 billion dollars on arms purchases. Only Pakistan among the world’s poorer countries spent more on arms. At the same time, one billion people currently live in extreme poverty around the world and one-third of these live in India. 80 percent of India’s population subsist on less than two dollars a day. As an example, half a billion people in India lack access to electricity, more than the entire population of the European Union.
The global arms trade is a threat to peace and developement in the region and in the world. Still many western countries who claim to work for peace and stability keep producing and exporting weapons.
India is planning to buy 126 fighter planes to the amount of approximately 10 billion dollars. This purchase has been referred to as the ”air force deal of the century”. The money for this deal is desperately needed in the work to ensure all indians the access to basic neads such as clean drinking water, sanitation, education, food and shelter.
”Disarmament for Peace and Developement” coincides with, and is arranged in protest to, the biennal air force show Aero India 2009, held outside Bangalore. 600 indian and international companies will participate at the show, among them many large armament companies such as Saab, EADS, Lockheed Martin and Dassault, hoping to increase their weapons sales and procure orders.
Development depend on disarmament
This conference is dedicated to provide and distribute information on why development will depend on disarmament, or a reallocation of the funds presently being misused for military purposes. It is dedicated to mobilizing informed public opinion and to inspire non-violent action that will be a major contribution to the growth of a culture of peace.
We invite you to join us in Bangalore to discuss these important questions and help raise awareness of the importance of disarmament for peace and developement!
RSVP to: contact@disarmamentconference.org
