Throw a Party

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​Host A Peace-Treaty-Petition Party

Share the vision ... because ending war isn't a dream -  it emerges from a plan!!!
We are in a hearts-and-minds contest for the future!!

Project Enduring Peace (PEP) is growing a movement to show that peace between nations is not only possible—it’s already happened in some places, and it can happen again. Our grassroots “petition parties” are a three-year project (minimum) to spread this good news message and build momentum for a new global peace treaty. 
  • We have models to guide us in how to end international warfare, and even how we might fashion an Earth Peace System.
  • By hosting a party you make our outreach personal--a person to person movement. You are not sitting at a table asking passers-by to sign a petition. You are sharing good news with them, then asking if they would like to join in with others by signing a petition.
  • Whether you invite 3 people or 30, this guide will help you throw a meaningful, memorable, even joyful event. 

Gatherings can take place in your home, or find a handy public venue and check out meeting rooms with TV access in a:
  • church,
  • neighborhood rec center,
  • peace or civic organization,
  • coffeeshop,
  • senior center,
  • a library,
  • etc.
 
Your goal is simple: 
  • share a compelling video, 
  • spark real conversation, and 
  • collect critically important signatures for a global peace petition to be presented to the UN General Assembly.
 
 
AN INVITATION SCRIPT  [Modifiable text to use on a flyer, for a brief phone call, or in person] 
You’re Invited to a Peace Treaty Petition Party
 
Hope. Connection. Possibility.
These are stressful times, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by so much bad news.
What if there was some good news—real hope—and a way to be part of something truly meaningful?
Join with others for a Peace Treaty Petition Party, where we’ll:

  • Watch a short, thought-provoking video that offers surprising, uplifting news that doesn’t make headlines
  • Connect with others who believe we need to and can create for the children of now and the children to come, a less violent and more nurturing future 
  • Explore the powerful questions:
           “Can we actually end war?” "Can we do something about it?"
 
This isn’t just a gathering—it’s a chance to learn about a growing movement for peace, starting with ending wars between nations.
 
If that intrigues you: Come for the inspiration. Stay for the conversation. Leave with hope.
 
All are welcome. Bring a friend!
 
When:    xxxxxxx
Time:      xxxxxxx
Location:                   xxxxxxx
                                        xxxxxxx
For more  information and to RSVP:    [Phone number]
 
 
PARTY CHECKLIST
 
Before the Party

Tech setup:
Have a TV, laptop, or projector ready with internet access via WIFI as the video is on YouTube and our petition to the UN General Assembly is on our webpage.  Bookmark our 17-minute video.
Ideally, use a large screen. The video, "Ending War is Possible. Here's Why and How," is most powerfully viewed on a large screen.
 For small groups, it is possible to use a laptop that has a good-sized screen, or even your computer.
 
Prepare guests:
Ask guests to bring cell phones or tablets as they use them to sign the petition online. Also, they will use them to follow along with the presentation.
 
When Guests Arrive

Consider setting the mood with peace music in the background. Perhaps offer refreshments. 

When everyone is seated, share why you are hosting and your personal connection to a movement for peace. Include your connection to PEP, WILPF, or whatever concerned group you belong to.
  
 If a group is small and they don’t already know each other, have them introduce themselves. In larger groups you might ask if anyone is already in a peace or other activist organization and which one/s.

Preparing to show the video, explain the party’s three goals. They are
  • to show a video that presents a transformative vision for what humanity’s future on Earth can be, 
  • to then discuss viewer’s questions, including how the video addresses those questions, and 
  • to offer a chance for action by signing a petition urging world leaders to start moving us in a direction of freedom from war. 
 
View the Video

To set the tone just before viewing, consider reading a stanza or two of Imagine by John Lennon.

​ View “Ending War is Possible. Here’s Why and How.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8c5RBDs6Ds
 
Lead a Discussion
 
Explain that the gathering is now prepared to share and discuss questions and reactions related to the video. Keep to issues clearly related to the video’s subject, which is making the case that it’s possible to end warfare between nations. Try to avoid wandering off into the many other possible issues that relate to war [e.g. civil wars are an entirely different challenge]. 
 
Start the discussion by asking: "What surprised or inspired you?" If no one asks this, “What would it take to get world leaders to a peace table?” you can ask them to consider, “How does the video address that issue?” Make sure someone hits on the key answer which is “people power:” great masses of people demanding that leadership act to codify how the Earth peace system we want and desperately need will work. Point out that by signing the petition they can be a part of that "people power."
 
You can also ask: What obstacle/s do you see to creating a peace system that did not seem addressed by the video?  Ask guests 1) for ideas how the obstacle/s might be overcome, and/or 2) did anything in the video suggest an answer or offer a rebuttal to that issue?


 Visit the PEP Website -   Project Enduring Peace
 
Make the PEP website familiar to yourself and to the guests.  Help everyone, however skilled they may or may not be, to go to the PEP website using their phones or iPads by typing projectep.org into their browser. 
 
   Point out as they follow along:
  • PEP is an outgrowth of a larger research effort called A Future Without War, hence the header AFWW at the top of the screen
  • PEP’s link to the video – scroll down a bit - which they will have watched
  • PEP’s link to a petition on Change.org – scroll down just under the video link - which they may shortly decide to sign
  • PEP’s  menu of short essays: e.g.  point out “Treaty,” how the treaty could work, and “Why Now,” why it’s possible to secure an enforceable treaty in this century when we couldn’t in the last one. "Throw a Party" - a guide you can use to host your own gathering to show the video and gather signatures.
  • The PEP donation button – donations are the fuel that determines how far and fast the PEP vision spreads and are tax deductible
  • Read or have someone read a powerful quote from a visionary man of the Baháʼí Faith who realized women are key to securing and sustaining peace 
  

Signing the Petition
 
Project the PEP petition page and have guests find it on their digital device by clicking the link to it on the PEP homepage. Here is a direct link:​ https://www.change.org/p/project-enduring-peace-petition
 
Explain:
This 3-year campaign seeks 100,000+ signatures to urge the UN to initiate treaty negotiations to end war between nations.  This many signatures is a serious challenge....but absolutely not an impossible one, and the cause justifies the effort of all who participate.
 
Read the petition aloud.
 
Give time to sign the petition.
Explain that to prevent multiple signings by people, Change.org only allows a given digital device to be used once and for one person (i.e., 1 email address). I you return to the petition page again a change  to sign the petition will not be offered again.
 
Explain that everyone who signs will certainly be curious so they will receive campaign updates occasionally through Change.org, never more than 1 per month.
 
Make sure to avoid making guests feel pressured. They should feel free to take time to think about it…although caution that if they put it off, they may forget to come back to do it.  
 
Do Something More
 
After discussions:
  • Provide 3X5 cards they can take away and pens. Give time for them to make a contact list of 5-10 people they’ll tell about the PEP vision of an Earth/global peace system and the treaty petition. 
  • Invite them to write a letter to key UN personnel, saying that as a US and World citizen you are urging them to present a resolution to the UN General Assembly calling for the start of peace treaty negotiations. (Give guests a hand-out with the appropriate salutations and mailing addresses for envelopes to three key UN persons who can support the treaty cause): 
        (Mr.) António Guterres
        Secretary-General of the United Nations. 
        United Nations, 405 East, 42nd Street,
        New York, NY, 10017, USA. 
                                                           
        (Ms.) Sima Bahous
        Executive Director UN Women, 
        Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations.
        UN Women Headquarters, 2 UN Plaza, 
        New York, NY 10017, USA. 

         (Ms.) Izumi Nakamitsu
         Under-Secretary-General, High Representative for Disarmament Affairs
         United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA)
         405 East 42nd Steet, RoomS-30FW
         New York, NY, 10017, USA
  • Suggest they buy a PEP t-shirt to spark conversations anywhere they go (available soon)
  • Suggest they make and share peace bracelets with friends (use PEP, PEACE, or EWIP = Ending War Is Possible) to spark conversations anywhere they go
         
Make Two Final Requests
 
Ask them to please Donate: donations are the fuel that determines how far and how fast we can amplify the vision of a world/Earth/global peace system, produce more educational materials, and organize on a global scale. Every dollar helps! Donation made using the blue “Donate” button on the PEP homepage will go through a 501.C3 host, the Peace Development Fund, and are tax deductible.
 
Ask them to consider hosting their own party: Suggest that all who have attended consider recreating this event with their own network. Spreading a message by word-of-mouth is the best advertising there is!
Point out our Party Guide to assist them again (https://www.afww.org/pep-throw-a-pep-party.html).   
Send Us Feedback
As the Host, it’s critical to note on the form provided below how many signed the petition.  This information is the basis of our "proof of concept," especially critical when approaching potential financial donors.  Also, let us know what went well and what didn’t. And provide a quote or story from your event that we can use. You can contact us at: [email protected].

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War isn’t inevitable—it’s optional.
United,  for as long as it takes, we can make real 
the dream of a world at peace.
 
For all children. For all time. No more war!