Swords into Plowshares

The time has come for humanity to evolve into a peaceful family of nations. To turn away from the brutal wickedness of war, we must find a practical, focused way forward. 

Across from the United Nations building in New York City are the words, “They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.” This metaphor calls for a new path- one where we turn war and violence into a peaceful family of nations. The following proposal is a way forward:

Song of the Dove

by Composed by Yitzhak Husbands-Hankin. Engineered by Anthony Proveaux

The basic idea is that nations would be recruited through the UN to participate in a global peacebuilding effort. In this effort, each participating nation would reduce its military spending initially by one percent and place those funds into a Swords into Plowshares Fund administered by the UN.

Swords Into Plowshares News

A Proclamation for Peace: Kim Stafford’s Poem in Global Translation.

The following poem was composed by Kim Stafford, former Oregon Poet Laureate (2018-2020). Kim recently published the book A Proclamation for Peace Translated into World Languages (2024; see ...

Workshop for Educators: Understanding and Addressing Antisemitism and Islamophobia, with Hussein Ibish and David Schraub – May 23, 2024 Event

The Chair is pleased to co-sponsor an upcoming Workshop for Educators, Understanding and Addressing Antisemitism and Islamophobia, with Hussein Ibish and David Schraub. This event will be held on Wednesday, May 23rd, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. PST in the University...

Bridging Divides: Understanding Antisemitism and Islamophobia – May 22nd Event

The Chair is pleased to co-sponsor the event Bridging Divides: Understanding Antisemitism and Islamophobia. This event will be held on Wednesday, May 22nd, at 5:00 - 6:30 PM PST in the University of Oregon's Gerlinger Lounge and via live stream here. While most people...

Envisioning Future Israeli-Palestinian Peace – Monday, May 13th Event

The Chair is pleased to co-sponsor the webinar Envisioning Future Israeli-Palestinian Peace, which will be held on Monday, May 14th, at 7:00 PM PST via Zoom. Dr. Yael Aronoff and Dr. Saliba Sarsar join to discuss the legitimacy of both Israeli and Palestinian desires...

Hostages and Missing Families Forum – October 31 Event

Tomorrow, October 31st at 3 PM ET, via Zoom, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum is hosting a special webinar intended solely for academics and legal scholars to hear, first-hand, from families whose loved ones have been kidnapped by Hamas. Today, hundreds of...

UPCOMING Windfall Reading Series (Sept 20th, 2023)

The UNESCO Chair Dr. Steven Shankman and Jana Zvibleman will be reading from their works at the Downtown Eugene Public Library on September 20th, 2023 from 6 PM to 7:30 PM PDT. The reading series will take place live at the Downtown Eugene Public Library or online...

Swords into Plowshares would turn a part of our military economies into peacebuilding economies by being able to divert funds toward supporting various social and environmental projects.

Drought Prevention

The development of water resource systems in places of constant drought

Veteran & Victim Support

Provide support and services to civilians and combatants who have been disabled in war

Reforestation & Climate Change

Launching reforestation programs and planting new trees to create carbon sinks that combat climate change

Poverty Eradication

Addressing the many challenges that leave countless communities trapped in poverty