"Peace Caravan" was initiated in 2005 by the Regional Network “Objection for Peace”, as an activity that should provide an opportunity to all interested people to contribute to establishment of lasting peace in this war-torn region. So far, “Peace Caravan” activities have taken place in Greece, Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The caravan is envisioned as an activity that would visit 6-10 cities in the regiona over a two-week period. Through direct contact with all interested people, we promote various initiatives and projects that follow the anti-militarism and peace-building values and principles. The caravan aims to bring to the public, in a creative way, ideas such as the right to conscientious objection, anti-fascism, non-violence and culture of peace.
We want to prove with our direct engagement that there are young people who share common values and are strong in their decision to work on prevention of all future wars.
This year, the Peace Caravan will visit Rijeka (May 1-3), Zadar (May 4-5), Prijedor (May 6-7), Tuzla (May 8-9), Nis (May 10-13) and Prilep (May 14-15). The following topics will be in the focus of caravan activities:
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No to NATO Campaign – Promotion of the Don’t Want NATO and NO (into) NATO! campaigns that question the accession to NATO and offer alternatives to further militarization of sociaty;
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The “At Ease” Campaign in Serbia – dedicated to abolishment of conscript service and demilitarization of Serbia, together with the “Manifest Against Conscript Recruitment System”;
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Raising the awareness in the region about the ever-present militarization of society in the region, which runs through all aspects of society (government, administration, social relations, family relations, education, markets, economy...), as well as alternatives to it as the only approach to achieve true demilitarization;
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Dealing with the past – working out the conflicts in the recent history, through a process that searches for the truth, justice, forgiveness and reconciliation, personal and collective;
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“All Different, All Equal” campaign – dedicated to youth participation in the process of building society of peace based on human rights and diversity, in the spirit of tolerance, respect and mutual understanding
So far, the Peace Caravan was organized twice, in 2005 and 2006.
In 2005, the Caravan visited Zagreb, Sibenik, Mostar, Sarajevo, Tuzla, Banja Luka, Novi Sad, Belgrade, Nis, Skopje, Prilep and Thessaloniki (May 2 – May 15, 2005). The second Caravan started on May 2, 2006 in Skopje, passed through Pristinu, Leskovac, Belgrade, Novi Sad, Banja Luka, Sarajevo, Mostar, Sibenik, and ended on May 15 2006 in Zagreb.
The closing activities of the Caravan will take place on May 15, to mark the International Conscientious Objection Day.
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