Social issues

Nobel Peace Prize 2024

It goes to qualified recipient for first time in at least six years

by David Swanson, World BEYOND War*

(25 October 2024) Congratulations are in order for “Nihon Hidankyo”, the Japan “Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations”. The Nobel Peace Prize has for the first time in at least six years gone to a group of people who work to reduce warmaking, people who in fact seek to abolish nuclear weapons. Nihon Hidankyo has relentlessly done the work of educating the world, thanklessly, for many years. This prize should be celebrated far and wide.

Education for a responsible and mature citizenship or ideologisation of students

by Marita Brune-Koch

(4 October 2024) Educating children and young people to become responsible citizens is one of the most important goals of primary and secondary school. They grow into our democratic systems and will shape them in the future. However, the question of how best “to educate responsible citizens” is once again the subject of fierce debate. The discussions range from the point of view that political education should begin in kindergarten to the demand for neutrality of schools and teachers in political and ideological matters.

Censorship even in the EU Parliament

EU blocks websites for its own members

by the editorial team of “Ansage.org”

(4 October 2024) The increasingly authoritarian, fundamental rights- and freedom-hostile moloch that the EU headquarters in Brussels has degenerated into has been trying for years – and most recently with increasing severity – to take a tight rein on social media and to censor all content that deviates from the desired narratives as “disinformation”, or at least to brand it with “classifications” via warning notices.
Nobel Peace Prize 2024

Alfred Nobel’s legacy as a legal obligation

War must be abolished

by Dr. Sabine Vuilleumier-Koch, MD* Switzerland

(27 September 2024) On 11 October, the “Norwegian Nobel Committee” will announce which person, organisation or institution will receive the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize in 2024. After an eight-month process of thoroughly reviewing all nominees, the committee selects a winner. Since the first Nobel Peace Prize was awarded in 1901, there has been repeated controversy as to whether the choice made was truly in line with the wishes of Alfred Nobel (1833–1896).

International Peace Day, Saturday 21 September 2024: ‘Call to Youth – Reject militarism and war’

by Mairead Corrigan Maguire,* Nobel Peace Laureate

(27 September 2024) I would like to thank the Youth of the world for all they do to reject violence, militarism and war. I have been inspired wherever I have travelled by the imagination, courage and resistance of so many young people. They give me great hope for the future of humanity.

Assange is free – but the fight for freedom of expression has only just begun

The WikiLeaks founder had to plead guilty to “conspiracy”. As a result, freedom of the press is under threat as never before

by Michael Straumann,* Switzerland

(20 September 2024) The world held its breath when Julian Assange was finally released after 1901 days of solitary confinement. But at what cost? Almost two months have passed since his release, and the quality journalism media has already turned to business as usual. The Assange case must be our daily memorial. It requires a meticulous reappraisal. This is no less than a scandal of the century for journalism and a declaration of bankruptcy for the West, which likes to present itself as a “community of shared values”.