War outlawed in 1928

map showing the parties to the Kellogg Briand ...
map showing the parties to the Kellogg Briand Pact

According to Wikipedia, the Kellogg-Briand Pact passed in 1928 outlawed war.  A Peace organization has an annual contest to help fulfill the promise of the pact.

from Wikipedia:

The Kellogg–Briand Pact (or Pact of Paris, officially General Treaty for Renunciation of War as an Instrument of National Policy[1]) was a 1928 international agreement in which signatory states promised not to use war to resolve “disputes or conflicts of whatever nature or of whatever origin they may be, which may arise among them”.[2] Parties failing to abide by this promise “should be denied of the benefits furnished by this treaty”. It was signed by Germany, France and the United States on August 27, 1928, and by most other nations soon after. Sponsored by France and the U.S., the Pact renounced the use of war and called for the peaceful settlement of disputes. Similar provisions were incorporated into the UN Charter and other treaties and it became a stepping stone to a more activist American policy.[3] It is named after its authors, United States Secretary of State Frank B. Kellogg and French foreign minister Aristide Briand.

Essay contest from the west suburban faith-based peace coalition

2015 Peace Essay-Response Contest Rules

The West Suburban Faith-Based Peace Coalition is once again sponsoring a Peace Essay Contest with a $1,000.00 award to the winner, $300 for the runner-up, and $100 for third place.  As in the previous year’s contest, essays will have to be directed to a person who can help promote knowledge of the Kellogg-Briand Pact (KBP) and, from whom a response is expected.  Essays will be judged not only on the quality of the essay but on the impact of the response.  Everyone is eligible to participate; there are no restrictions regarding age or country of residence.  Participants are required to take the following 3 steps:

  1.  To enter the contest send a Peace Essay Request email to coordinator Frank Goetz at frankgoetz@comcast.net.  Provide your Name, Mailing Address, Email Address, Phone Number, and, if under 19, Age.  Also, provide the Name and Position of the person or persons to whom the Essay will be directed.  Your application acceptance as a contest participant will be acknowledged in an email containing your assigned 4-digit Essay Number.  [If information is missing or confusing you will be contacted by email or phone.]
  2. In 800 words or less write your essay on: How Can We Obey the Law Against War?  As soon as possible but at least by April 15, 2015 send the essay to the person named in your application and a copy to frankgoetz@comcast.net  with your Essay Number in the Subject line.
  3. By May 15, 2015 send Essay Response documentation to frankgoetz@comcast.net with your Essay Number in the Subject line.

Some examples of impact:

  1. The President agrees to explain the limitations placed on the government by KBP.
  2. A member of congress supports a resolution to make August 27 a Day of Reflection.
  3. The ACT or SAT administration agrees to include questions regarding KBP.
  4. A newspaper includes a KBP story.
  5. A school board revises its curriculum to expand KBP studies.
  6. A religious leader calls for nonviolent actions.

Act now:  We may have to limit the number of contestants and it takes time to get responses.  We will announce the Winners at a festive event honoring the 87thAnniversary of the Kellogg-Briand Pact on August 27, 2015.

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