Check out these demilitarization and disarmament organizations. Support their efforts to challenge the arms trade and promote arms control.

by Taylor O’Connor | 30 September 2024

Military parade | Photo on Wikimedia Commons

“You are not going to get peace with millions of armed men. The chariot of peace cannot advance over a road littered with cannon.” – David Lloyd

I’m just finishing up a few weeks of research mapping peace activist organizations and others using nonviolent methods to end war. It has been an interesting journey covering nonviolence action and strategy, pacifism and peace activism, conscientious objection, arms trade databases, and finally now concluding with organizations working explicitly for either demilitarization or for disarmament.

I’ve found that there are many similarities and differences between demilitarization organizations and disarmament organizations. Mapping these would require a more detailed blog post perhaps coming soon.

But for now, I hope this mapping of organizations is helpful for those interested to get some awareness of disarmament and demilitarization efforts. Find some organizations that are interesting to you. Get connected to them, join their email list, participate in their events, and support their efforts.

Lessons learned in researching demilitarization and disarmament organizations

The research I did to produce this blog post was very interesting. It helped me clarify the differences and similarities between demilitarization and disarmament. I did a preliminary mapping of approaches for demilitarization and disarmament, and also have some other lessons learned, each listed below.

Key approaches used by demilitarization organizations:

Nonviolent action and advocacy campaigns
Policy engagement to make laws that prohibit specific weapons
Enforcement of existing laws that prohibit specific weapons
Disarmament/demilitarization advocacy
some explicitly work on arms trade
Network building and coordinated actions
Melting and repurposing arms

Key approaches of disarmament groups often centers around policy engagement and do not engage with nonviolent actions or approaches.

Other lessons learned

Demilitarization organizations tend to work for universal demilitarization.
Disarmament efforts focus on arms control to specific countries or groups. Many have political influences as to who should disarm (and who should maintain weapons and military supremacy). Organizations working against arms trafficking are often highly politicized.
Demilitarization organizations tend to be based in and focused on the United States and Europe, as these are the major weapons manufacturing countries in the world, who possess the largest militaries and arsenals, and whom profit most from wars and violent conflicts worldwide.
Arms control efforts tend to focus on the prevention of weapons from being used in human rights abuses.
There are some engineers and science professionals for demilitarization that advocate for members of their profession not to support the making of weapons, but these groups tend to be small.

What is the difference between disarmament and demilitarization?

I have included some simple definitions to help recognize the differences and similarities between disarmament and demilitarization. Also, many organizations discuss arms control and the arms trade, so I’ve included those definitions as well. In the near future I’ll write a post mapping many definitions associated with disarmament and demilitarization, and perhaps a separate post analyzing the similarities and differences between these efforts, but for now I hope this will help.

Disarmament: the reduction or elimination of a country’s military forces and weapons, typically through international agreements aimed at reducing the threat of war and fostering peace. It encompasses measures to control, limit, or abolish certain classes of weapons, especially nuclear weapons. (United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs)

Demilitarization: the process of converting a heavily militarized society, economy, or region into one focused on civilian needs and governance, typically in post-conflict scenarios, aiming to prevent future conflicts and foster sustainable peace. (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute)

Arms trade: the transfer of weapons, ammunition, and military technology from one country or group to another. It can be legal or illegal and is driven by political, economic, and strategic considerations. (Amnesty International)

Arms control: international efforts and agreements designed to regulate and limit the development, production, stockpiling, distribution, and use of weapons. These measures aim to reduce the risks of armed conflict, prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and promote global security. (United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs)

Organizations Working for Demilitarization and Disarmament

Below are organizations and networks that are working explicitly for demilitarization and disarmament. I have organized them into four sub-sections:

Organizations working for demilitarization and/or against the arms trade
Organizations working for disarmament and arms control
Organizations working to control specific types of weapons
Repurposing weapons

Many pacifist organizations are also working for demilitarization. I have covered these in a separate blog post mapping pacifist organizations working to abolish war. Pacifist organizations often take various approaches, including work for demilitarization. This blog post includes organizations that are specifically and explicitly just about either demilitarization or disarmament, or both. I also have a separate blog post on organizations with public databases tracking militarism, the arms trade, and violent conflict.

I have not included local, national or regional efforts for demilitarization or disarmament, or national organizations from any country working for gun control. Nor have I included organizations with some projects or activities on demilitarization or disarmament, but whose organization focus is not on those topics.

Also, not included in this blog post, but likely to be included in future blog posts associated with this theme are the following:

War tax resistance, peace tax and peace economy organizations
Organizations and initiatives working to shut down military bases
Organizations and initiatives addressing military spending of governments
Organizations working for denuclearization or to abolish nuclear weapons
Organizations working against the militarization of space

Organizations working for demilitarization and/or against the arms trade

Organizations listed below are working for universal demilitarization. Many work to take action against the weapons industry and arms trade.

The Strategic Concept for the Removal of Arms and Proliferation (SCRAP Weapons)

Strategic Concept for the Removal of Arms and Proliferation (SCRAP Weapons) promotes global disarmament by advocating for the reduction and elimination of weapons systems worldwide. They support multilateral disarmament efforts, encourage governments to reduce military stockpiles, and develop comprehensive frameworks to monitor arms reduction. They also conduct research and engage in awareness raising and policy advocacy aimed at fostering international collaboration on disarmament treaties and sustainable security policies.

The Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT)

Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) is a UK-based organization working to put an end to the international arms trade. They believe that the arms business wreaks havoc on human rights, threatens security, exacerbates conflict, hinders economic development, and threatens social welfare. Their efforts focus on stopping the procurement and export of weapons. They coordinate a movement of supporters, activists and partners to lead nonviolent actions and advocacy campaigns to stop government support for arms exports.

The Forum on the Arms Trade

Forum on the Arms Trade is a global network that brings together civil society groups and experts to address the impacts of arms transfers and security assistance. They provide a collaborative platform for sharing of information from diverse experts and activists and serve as a hub to link with experts working in a range of focus areas associated with the arms trade like human rights, humanitarian disarmament, cybersecurity, arms and the environment, anti-corruption, and more. The Forum empowers individuals to engage in meaningful dialogue and action towards a world free from the devastating consequences of the arms trade.

War Industry Muster

War Industry Muster is a blog dedicated to exposing and resisting the influence of the war industry on global conflict and militarism. Blog posts, downloads and other content map the connections between elements of the military-industrial complex and challenge the corporate and governmental ties to militarization. Christian Sorensen, the blog’s founder, is an expert on all things about the war industry.

The European Network Against the Arms Trade (ENAAT)

Founded in 1990, European Network Against the Arms Trade (ENAAT) is an informal network of European peace groups working to end the arms trade. ENAAT focuses on research, advocacy, and campaigning to challenge and oppose the arms trade across Europe.

Organizations working for disarmament and arms control

Organizations listed below work for disarmament and arms control. Each has their own approaches and aims associated with disarmament.

United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA)

The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) promotes disarmament efforts globally to ensure peace and security. Its mission is to support nuclear disarmament, arms control, and the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction while addressing the threats posed by conventional arms. Key activities include fostering international agreements, raising awareness on disarmament issues, and providing technical and policy support to member states in their efforts to eliminate arms and reduce armed conflict.

Arms control efforts by Amnesty International

Amnesty International is a global organization that advocates for human rights, fighting injustice and defending freedom, dignity, and equality worldwide. One of their key working areas is advocacy for arms control, where they promote stricter arms control regulations to prevent weapons from being used in human rights abuses. They campaign for the enforcement of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) and advocate for transparent arms transfers that don’t fuel conflicts, oppression, or violence. By calling on governments and corporations to adopt ethical arms practices, Amnesty seeks to protect civilians from the devastating impacts of poorly regulated arms trades.

Control Arms

Established in 2011, Control Arms is a network that works for stricter regulation of the global arms trade. They support member organizations, represent them to governments at the UN, and provide leadership in the pursuit of their campaign to control the proliferation of arms and ammunition. Coordinating with over 300 partners organizations around the world, their campaigning was instrumental for the creation and adoption of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) at the UN General Assembly in April 2013. Today, their efforts focus on universalization and implementation of the ATT. They conduct research and publish regular ATT Monitor reports, and they organize conferences and workshops aimed at guiding states to support the ATT.

Arms Control Association

The Arms Control Association is a national nonpartisan group in the United States that works to boost public understanding and backing for impactful arms control policies. Through public education, media programs, and their flagship journal, Arms Control Today, they provide policymakers, the media, and the public with authoritative info, analysis, and commentary on arms control matters. Their research and publications are used by journalists and scholars both in the United States and across the globe.

Organizations working to control specific types of weapons

Organizations listed below work to control specific types of weapons, particularly drones, landmines, small arms and other specific types of weapons that harm civilians.

Drone Wars

Drone Wars is a UK-based organization that investigates and challenges the development and use of armed drones, remote warfare, and other new lethal military technology. The long-term goal of their work is an international ban on the use of armed drones. Through research and analysis, Drone Wars aims to empower individuals to question the impact of drone technology on human rights, peace, and justice, and to advocate for policies that restrict the use of drones in warfare. Their website offers a wealth of information and resources about the use of drones in war, on killer robots, on drones and the militarization of space, and on technology and the future of warfare.

The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD)

Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) works to eradicate the deadly legacy of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW), and other explosive hazards to enhance human security worldwide. They provide technical assistance, research, and capacity-building support to national authorities, international organizations, and NGOs working on mine action and explosive risk reduction. By bringing together experts, advocating for change, and providing technical expertise, GICHD empowers communities to live safer, more peaceful lives free from the threat of landmines and ERWs. Their website provides publications, resources on information about explosive ordinances and their removal.

Legacies of War

Legacies of War works to raise awareness about the impact of the U.S. bombing campaign in Laos during the Vietnam War and advocates for the removal of unexploded ordnance (UXO). They promote peace, healing, and reconciliation by addressing the ongoing legacy of war and encouraging the clearance of UXO in Laos. Key activities include education, advocacy, and supporting demining efforts to make land safe for communities, while also providing assistance to survivors and promoting dialogue on war legacies.

International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA)

The International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) is a global network that challenges the spread and misuse of small arms and light weapons. They support efforts to make people safer by reducing demand for such weapons, improving firearm regulation and strengthening controls on arms transfers. Through research, advocacy and campaigning, IANSA members are promoting local, national, regional and global measures to strengthen human security. Using their Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and coordinator role in UN meetings on small arms, IANSA works to bringing global voices to the UN small arms disarmament process.

International Campaign to Ban Landmines

Founded in 1992, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) is a global network dedicated to the eradication of landmines and other explosive remnants of war. They work for the complete prohibition and elimination of landmines through advocacy, public education, and support for affected communities. ICBL played a crucial role in the adoption of the Ottawa Treaty in 1997, which aimed to ban the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel landmines, and continues to work towards universal adherence to this treaty.

Repurposing weapons

Organizations listed below take the unique approach of destroying weapons and repurposing them into jewelry, garden tools, and other items.

RAWtools

RAWtools is a US-based organization that promotes nonviolence by transforming weapons of violence into tools for peace. Its mission is to “disarm hearts, forge peace,” and it achieves this by converting guns into gardening tools, advocating for gun violence prevention, and providing resources for restorative justiceThey do public demonstrations of weapon transformation and peace-oriented educational workshops in partnership with communities that struggle with gun violence.

ARTICLE22

ARTICLE22 is a social enterprise that transforms remnants of war, specifically bomb scrap metal in Laos, into meaningful jewelry and accessories, creating a tangible symbol of peace and transformation. Their mission is to raise awareness about unexploded ordnance (UXO) left over from the Vietnam War while supporting artisans in Laos through sustainable economic development. Key activities include crafting jewelry with a message of peace and advocating for disarmament and healing in war-affected regions. They also donate a portion of proceeds to clear unexploded bombs.

The Fonderie 47

Fonderie 47 is social enterprise that works to address the proliferation of assault rifles in Africa by turning tools of war into symbols of peace and beauty. They repurpose weapons of war, particularly AK-47s, into into luxury items like jewelry and watches while funding programs to remove these weapons from circulation in conflict-zones in Africa. They have contributed to the destruction of over seventy thousand AK-47s and other assault rifles in Africa.

Support the efforts of disarmament and demilitarization organizations

I hope that this list serves as a useful resource for anyone interested in these efforts for demilitarization and disarmament. While each organization approaches the issue from different angles, they all share the common goal of reducing the global reliance on militarization and arms. Take the time to explore the organizations that resonate with you, get involved, support their work, and join the movement for a more peaceful, demilitarized world. Together, we can push for change and work toward lasting peace.

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