According to acting director Sheila Dormody, these programs help right a glaring imbalance. As they continue their quest, NGOs are beginning to band together to form more powerful coalitions. Many are also discovering the power of the Web as a tool to get the word out and recruit new members. There are many hurdles to overcome before peace breaks out around the world. For one thing, says Colin Archer, secretary general of the International Peace Bureau in Geneva, war is a hard habit to break.
Governments are far too much in the pockets of the military.
Also, while private peace organizations have strong partnerships with governments in many Western countries, that's not the case worldwide. Cora Weiss is a bit more optimistic. The president of the Hague Appeal allows that the challenge is daunting. There's real hope. Sooner or later, people will come to the realization that war really doesn't work.