Actually, Nalini, I was already familiar with the International Crisis Group. That's exactly why I thought your heading was perhaps an accidental mis-match for that message. Simply put, whatever one might say about the ICG (who they are & what they do), it's certainly a misnomer to say that they're part of the "peace movement". You don't have to believe in conspiracy theories to point out that board members like Richard Armitage and Prince Turki al-Faisal can hardly be described as devoted peace activists. Whatever their personal motivations may be, I think its fair to say that the folks who run the IGC are beholden to big financial contributors. As much as they may want to curtail some of the really nasty stuff that goes on, they will never seriously challenge the international status quo. Craig To: NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx From: "Nalini Lasiewicz" <LasiewiczN@xxxxxxx> Date sent: Tue, 29 Apr 2008 23:15:12 -0000 Subject: [NewPacifica] Re: Back in the real world, there actually is a peace movement. Send reply to: NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx --- In NewPacifica@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "CraigGingold" <gingold@...> wrote: > > I was expecting something about the "peace movement". > > Craig Hi Craig: Sorry I was vague. One of the things that I've noticed for a long time is that today's peace groups aren't very effective. Street demonstrations a couple times a year is about all that most of us seem to muster, but that's not making much of an impact. But one group that has accomplished a lot and continues to grow is the International Crises Group. They call themselves "a do tank" as opposed to "a think tank." I think they are a very good model for international efforts to confront the world's conflicts and try to bring real-time research, attention and high-level advocacy to address those conflicts. In 2005, they celebrated their ten year anniversay. A lot of folks in Pacifica may not be familiar with their work and that's what I was sharing: http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=4343&l=1 Thanks, Nalini