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Ubuntu: World Forum of Civil Society Networks- On 4 February, Ubuntu, released a statement signed by civil society leaders worldwide. "Open letter to President Bush, War on Iraq?" condemns war and states that it would be a step backwards for democracy. Recently in their newsletter they released another letter emphasizing their stance entitled, "We Still say no to War." During this time of war, both statements still read true and reinforce the need for a speedy end to the destruction of lives and societies. To read visit: http://www.ubuntu.org .

World Vision International- CIVICUS member World Vision has been called on by the World Food Programme to be the main agency to provide emergency food and supplies the northern Iraqi town of Mosul. World Vision has built two temporary relief sites in Jordan and is working in conjunction with the Jordanian Red Cross society to serve high protein, emergency food such as lentil soup. To read daily updates by emergency response correspondents or to donate to their relief efforts visit: http://www.worldvision.org

Indymedia- One of the world's only truly independent newsources the Independent Media Centre and Indymedia is a collective of independent media organizations and hundreds of journalists offering grassroots, non-corporate coverage. To read stories about the war and the continuing peace movement told from all points of the globe reported by non-commercial, un-embedded journalists visit: http://www.indymedia.org.

Human Rights Watch- One of the world's largest, most comprehensive human rights reporters, supporters and guardogs, HRW features daily reports on the human rights situation in Iraq. Since the outbreak of the war HRW has released statements on the mistreatment of defecting Iraqi soldiers, the US proposal for Iraqi human rights tribunals and the use of landmines. For detailed reports complete with recommendation for action that can be taken by both sides nations involved in the war visit: http://www.hrw.org .

Australian Conservation Union, Greenpeace Australia, and FOE Australia- The greens from down under denounce war in their joint statement, "Environmental Groups say no to war". Various state and non-state environmental groups have banded together, to represent hundreds of thousands of Australians against war. Noting the environmental impacts of burning oil wells, the coalition of green organisations are demanding an urgent, negotiated solution to the conflict in Iraq. To read their environmental assessments or their other statements on Iraq visit: http://www.acfonline.org.au , http://www.foe.org.au or http://www.greenpeace.org.au/

Reporters Sans Frontieres- Since the beginning of the war in Iraq, the RSF has been documented and reported on the state of press freedom in Iraq. The RSF is the global freedom of expression watchdog, campaigning for the rights of journalists to practice their skill in safety. RSF also fights for the public of the world's right to be informed. During the war the RSF is offering a very inexpensive insurance policy for freelance journalists covering the war. To learn more visit: http://www.rsf.org

New York Centre for Constitutional Rights- New York based Centre for Constitutional Rights drafted a resolution to present to the UN Security Council and United Nations recently. The "Uniting for Peace" resolution is in it's draft form and calls for the UN to continue to work towards its fundamental goal of international peace and security. The resolution references past UN resolutions that relate to peace, security (in and around Iraq) and human rights. To read the resolution and find out about the Centre's efforts to introduce it to the UN please visit:
http://www.ccr-ny.org and
http://www.ccr-ny.org/v2/reports/docs/Draft_Uniting_For_Peace_Resolution.pdf

Global Fund for Women – The Global Fund for Women (GFW), a CIVICUS member, released a statement before the war asserting that military policy was not the way to peace. According to the GFW, aggressive military policies abroad do not make homes, streets or cities safer, and the culture of war only exposes more women and girls to rape and assault. To read their appeal for peace, visit:
www.globalfundforwomen.org

Save the Children, Canada – Before the war in Iraq started, CIVICUS member Save the Children, Canada recognised the fragile health and safety of many Iraqi children. Save the Children is encouraging civil society to write to their elected officials, in order to pressure those governments involved to ensure the protection of women and children throughout the conflict. To help, or for more information, visit: www.savethechildren.ca

Australian Council for Overseas Aid – This CIVICUS Member is a network of humanitarian aid providers. The ACOA have written an open letter to Australian Prime Minister John Howard outlining the humanitarian crises of war. To read Prime Minister Howard’s response, find out how the ACOA are responding to the war and the most appropriate way to help as an individual, visit www.acfoa.asn.au

B.a.B.e. (Be Active, Be Emancipated) – This Croatian civil society organisation and CIVICUS member has called on the citizens of Zagreb to gather at the United States embassy every day during the war for a candlelight vigil in protest. B.a.B.e. is a lobbying and advocacy organisation, dedicated to securing and implementing women’s human rights. For more information about their actions on the war (in Croatian and English), visit: www.babe.hr

Oxfam International – Oxfam International, alongside its Quebec affiliate and CIVICUS member, Oxfam Quebec, has stated that it will refuse to accept directly funds from belligerent governments for their humanitarian aid efforts because of the war. Oxfam has organised letter-writing campaigns to leaders of the US/UK coalition and other world leaders, in order to outline the humanitarian crises that will develop because of the war. Civil society can also contribute to Oxfam’s humanitarian missions through their website at: www.oxfam.org

The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts – WAGGGS is another CIVICUS Member that released a statement prior to the war, calling on world leaders to leave a legacy of peace to young women and girls everywhere. Their current programme theme, “Our Rights, Our Responsibilities”, includes a module on peace that enables young women to secure their rights. For more information, visit: www.wagggsworld.org

International Federation of the Red Cross/ Red Crescent Societies – The IFRC has been preparing for a humanitarian crisis for the last five months in the countries surrounding Iraq. They have only received approximately 20 percent of the funds needed to provide emergency services to displaced peoples. They are calling for donations on behalf of individuals, groups and governments as the first wave of Iraqis citizens are entering Jordan. Go to www.ifrc.org

Greenpeace: Momentum Builds for New UN Peace Resolution
Greenpeace has launched an electronic activism campaign that has generated more than 32 000 requests for an emergency session of the UN sent to UN ambassadors around the world, and about 30 000 e-cards sent by citizens. This is part of a Uniting for Peace resolution that aims to bring all nations of the world together, under the banner of the UN, to stop the war in Iraq.

You can read more about how the Uniting for Peace resolution has stopped wars in progress in the past at:
http://www.greenpeace.org/international_en/news/details?item_id=179491

Urge your nation’s UN ambassador to support an emergency session under the Uniting for Peace resolution at:
http://act.greenpeace.org/aas/e?a=ufp&s=amb_s

Send an e-card to your friends, colleagues, fellow students, and family asking them to take action too:
http://act.greenpeace.org/ecs/s2?i=730&sk=std

Canadian Council for International Cooperation- The CCIC, a CIVICUS member, applauded Canadian PM Jean Chretien’s decision on 18 March for refusing to join the war efforts. The CCIC spoke on behalf of its NGO network. CCIC Chief Executive Officer, Gerry Barr also commended the PM’s commitment to humanitarian aid missions to the Middle East. To read the full press statement or to read past statements on Iraq visit: www.ccic.ca .

Arab Women Connect- A subsidiary of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) features updates on the state of aid reaching women in the Arab world right now. The site features UNIFEM press statements on the war in Iraq, in particular the call for the adequate protection and assistance for the scores of women affected by war. To read more visit: www.arabwomenconnect.org .

Mercycorps- This US-based humanitarian aid organisation is presently attempting to raise two million dollars in 2 months to funnel directly into Iraq. A variety of feature articles, complete with photos and audio testimonies of displaced Iraqis illustrate the humanitarian crises facing civilians caught in the war. Mercycorps also features articles on how to tell your child about war and as well as updates on their aid projects in Northern Korea. Visit www.mercycorps.org for more information. Click on www.mercycorps.org/article.php?section=Iraq&id=1244 to hear testimonies of field workers in Kuwait and Northern Iraq.

OneWorld International- Similar to what CIVICUS.org is doing, CIVICUS member OneWorld is facilitating daily updates from a variety of news sources on Iraq. From news of Al-Jazeera circumvention of censorship to news of the environmental impact of war from Friends of the Earth, OneWorld represents a multiplicity of citizen and citizen group voices. Visit: www.oneworld.net .

Dev-Zone- Compiling the voices of the people down under, Dev-Zone’s “What’s new in the Knowledge Centre” section on their website contains articles and links to New Zealand and international views on the war. Citizens interested in subscribing to Knowledge centre updates can also do so. Visit: www.dev-zone.org .

World Organization of the Scout Movement- CIVICUS member WOSM explores the the role of scouts in times of tension. Scouting and Peace is the title of another publication the international scouting movement. Visit: www.scout.org to read more about how this youth group is approaching peace, conflict and scouting.