Category Archives: sonnets

Jody Williams grew up in Vermont and was Drawn to international studies and the cause Of humanitarian relief work, focused on helping Those injured and killed by ‘anti-personnel’ land mines. With Vietnam vets, she devised a plan for an international campaign Whose objectives included banning these mines and finding The millions still active across theContinue reading “1997 – The International Campaign to Ban Land Mines and Jody Williams”

The prize winners of 1996 were born In East Timor, an Asian islands nation torn By its history of Portuguese and Indonesian occupation. Poverty, massacres, torture and forced relocations Were called the “forgotten conflict” of ethnic and cultural cleansing, Spelling national trauma, rights and independence denied. Carlos Belo became a Catholic priest working to bringContinue reading “1996 – Jose Ramos-Horta and Carlos Felipe Ximenes Belo”

When Rottblat severed ties and returned to England, His own research turned to peace, and to medicine. After the atomic blasts of 1945, He joined Einstein and Bertrand Russell, among many World scientists, demanding an end to any Further use of weapons of mass destruction. The Russell-Einstein Manifesto was pivotal in gathering Pugwash Conferences, renownedContinue reading “1995 – Joseph Rottblat and the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs – 2”

Joseph Rottblat grew up in Warsaw, Poland, A child in a poor family, he became an electrician, But he took evening classes in Physics, and later secured A doctorate degree. An English university then offered A research post. He moved there just as Hitler rose, His Polish wife becoming one of those Targeted for deathContinue reading “1995 – Joseph Rottblat and the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs”

Arafat was Cairo-born with Palestinian roots. Peres’ family moved to Israel from Poland to escape anti-Jews. And Rabin was born in Jerusalem and trained in Britain and the U.S. Rabin’s military prowess led him to become Israel’s Prime Minister, While Peres worked in politics and became his Foreign Minister. Arafat was the wild card:  surroundedContinue reading “1994 – Yassar Arafat, Shimon Peres and Yitzak Rabin”

De Klerk spoke of Peace in his acceptance speech. “An absence of conflict in many repressive societies” Is not peace, but fear, ignorance, and a lack of power. Peace requires real justice and consent in democracy’s hour. Neither will stagnation create genuine peacetime; It requires negotiation and compromise. It’s a “state of mind.” Mandela alsoContinue reading “1993 – Nelson Mandela and Frederik Willem De Klerk – 2”

Nelson Mandela and Frederik Willem De Klerk Were awarded the Peace Prize for their coordinated work To end the cycle of violence, hatred and bigotry That South Africa’s apartheid regime called its history. De Klerk released Mandela from prison, blameless, Despite his own party’s political hubris – Undermined by global boycotts of their economy, WhileContinue reading “1993 – Nelson Mandela and Frederik Willem De Klerk”

Rigoberta Menchu Tum was born Into poverty in Guatemala, Indian. From having to work in the fields as a child, She moved to Mexico when the governing classes tried And confiscated Indian lands. “Massacres Were normal.” The Indians fled to fight. Rancour Ruled, her family murdered intentionally – The “blind brutalization of the whole society.”*Continue reading “1992 – Rigoberta Menchu Tum”

Suu Kyi’s international life and beliefs attest To her Buddhist values – truth and loving kindness,* Denouncing Burma’s – Myanmar’s – military leads Who profited on drugs, corruption and greed. The people saw those lies but were powerless, Thousands driven in massacres – to death, no less. Her father, advocating democracy, was assassinated. She grewContinue reading “1991 – Aung San Suu Kyi – 2”

Free from fear, she spoke and stood Up to Burma’s military junta, But failed in her efforts for democracy and peace, Thwarted by corruption and military hatred. If Peace could be brought there, one would Have to compromise and also release This woman – whose crimes were, well, to bate Greedy fascists, sit silent, watchingContinue reading “1991 – Aung San Suu Kyi”