Engaging the Public in the Global Day of Action on Military Spending

It was a cold and windy April day, when NSVOW members and supporters engaged the public in an activity about public spending where people passing by in front of Halifax Central Library put four quarters (supplied by NSVOW) into jars labeled:

  • ARTS & CULTURE
  • ENVIRONMENT
  • HEALTH & EDUCATION
  • MILITARY
  • PEACE
  • WOMEN & CHILDREN

It was evident that people took the exercise very seriously as they contemplated how to distribute their quarters.

They were then invited to fill out a poster “If I had 1.75 trillion dollars (the approximate amount of world-wide annual military spending) I would #movemilitarythemoney to _____.”

Results:

  • Health and Education:  73
  • Environment: 64
  • Environment:  64
  • Women and Children:  52
  • Arts and Culture:  36
  • Peace:  36
  • Military:  2

One area that several people mentioned that was not covered by our jars was affordability of living (housing and food). We will take that into account when we design next year’s action for the Global Day of Action on Military Spending.

For more information check out http:// demilitarize.org

GDAMS 2019

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Global Day of Action on Military Spending: Halifax Votes!

GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION ON MILITARY SPENDING (GDAMS)
Held annually in April, NSVOW joined thousands of people around the world in calling for reallocation of Military budgets to social and humanities needs.
The local event was held outside the Central Library and provided the public with an opportunity to choose where they  want their tax dollars spent by placing a provided quarter in the jar of their  choice.  Here’s how people voted:
Health & education:     31%
Environment                 24%
Women & Children      18%
Peace                              13%
Arts & Culture               11%
Military                           3%

Since 1997, the Canadian military budget has climbed from $8 billion to $23 billion. The federal government spends more on DND than any other department. (See Public Accounts graph below.)

graph1

Source: Public Accounts of Canada, 2015: http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/recgen/cpc-pac/2015/pdf/2015-vol2-eng.pf

program ex

See more event photos in Gallery.

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NS VOW Delegation to UN Commission on the Status of Women

Eight NS VOW members of all ages are planning to attend the 60th Session of the United Nations Commission of the Status of Women in New York in March.
They work in different fields – journalism, academia, community engagement, and students – and are all passionate about creating a world where women have equitable opportunities to their male counterparts.
Their goals in attending CSW60:

*Learn from workshops hosted by NGOs from around the world
*Bring their knowledge back to their communities in Halifax
*Take action to create a more equitable future for women and all marginalized communities

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White Poppies for Peace

White Poppies for Peace during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign,November 26 – December 10, 2015
NSVOW’s White Poppies for Peace will be made and distributed at various events during the 16 days.
White Poppies 2015-2
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