Colin Archer (UK)

IPB to award Sean MacBride Peace Prize 2016 to ➡️ Colin Archer

The Board of the International Peace Bureau is pleased to announce that the Sean MacBride Peace Prize will be awarded this year to our own Secretary‐General Colin Archer, who since 1990 has served the organization with outstanding commitment and competence. Colin Archer, who will retire next year and return home from Geneva to the UK, has spared no efforts over the last 26 years in the service of peace and of the IPB community in particular. He has with huge engagement, knowledge and friendliness met the concerns and demands of seven different IPB Presidents, more than 300 member organizations and an enormous number of partners from individual activists to civil society organizations, diplomats, researchers, educators, artists, media people and governments. A large number of young people are grateful for his guidance and help in the search for their own path to peace.

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Colin Archer has played a decisive role, both in building the membership base and in the development and implementation of IPB’s programme over these years. He has a solid grasp of the many very varied aspects of peace work, be it disarmament, peace history, conflict transformation, peace education, gender dimensions, development or building a culture of peace. He has written a series of booklets and co‐initiated the IPB photographic exhibition Making Peace. At the same time, he is the chief administrator and fundraiser for the organisation. He has travelled widely and been involved in a very extensive range of international peace and disarmament conferences and programmes, including: the World Court Project on nuclear weapons, the Hague Appeal for Peace, the Global Campaign for Peace Education, and since 2005 Disarmament for Sustainable Development and the Global Campaign on Military Spending (GCOMS). The network around this latter campaign was important for the success of the recent IPB World Congress in Berlin: Disarm! for a Climate of Peace: Creating an Action Agenda.

Colin grew up in London and was active in the British peace, development and human rights movements from 1970 to 1990, including various roles in the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. His first degree was in French and Spanish Studies, and his Master's in Development Studies. For 10 years he was the Coordinator of a Third World solidarity centre in Manchester (now Oxfam‐run). He spent 15 months teaching and visiting projects on behalf of a news agency in Latin America and the Caribbean. He later worked as an adult educator for 10 years, teaching migrants and refugees. This broad background was very relevant when he was invited to take up the position of Secretary‐General at the IPB, just as the world was emerging from the Cold War period. At the award ceremony we will hear more about the IPB Action Agenda and how it will be followed up.

Reiner Braun and Lisa Clark (IPB Co‐Presidents) - IPB Press Release 10/16 (Archive)

Tip: International Peace Bureau - ➡️ IPB

Work in progress. Suggestions, quotes and photo welcome ;-)

Author: Dr. Norbert Stute, Date: 16.01.26, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

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FYI Colin - Stop the Eurofighter Campaign Leaflet by Dr. Stute in 1997 (Google Chrome will translate it for you). - Here is an English version of the leaflet from 12/98: "Stop the Eurofighter 2000 project! A call for meaningful civilian alternatives." As a physician, I gave a speech concerning the Eurofighter programme in a subcommittee in Parliament back in 1999, representing the German peace movement and having been invited by Jeremy Corbyn. I also provided Tony Kempster and CAAT London with lots of German campaign materials to no avail. - This leaflet may well have formed the basis of numbers used by the GDAMS and GCOMS campaign over a decade later. You may have heard about it from Reiner Braun or from me at The Hague in 1999. We also talked about the facts in the leaflet when I visited you in Geneva in early April 2012.

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Profile of Colin Archer - written by ChatGPT 4.0 & fact-checked

Colin Archer, a prominent advocate for global peace, served as the Secretary-General of the International Peace Bureau (IPB) from 1990 to 2016. His leadership was marked by a steadfast commitment to disarmament and fostering international cooperation to resolve conflicts peacefully. Archer's tenure at the IPB was characterized by significant achievements in promoting global peace initiatives and raising awareness about the importance of reducing military expenditures.

Born in the United Kingdom, Archer's early life was influenced by the values of social justice and humanitarianism. He pursued studies in political science and international relations, equipping him with a deep understanding of global issues. Before joining the IPB, Archer was actively involved in various non-governmental organizations, where he worked on issues related to nuclear disarmament, human rights, and sustainable development.

As Secretary-General, Archer played a crucial role in revitalizing the IPB, expanding its reach and influence on the international stage. He was instrumental in organizing campaigns against the proliferation of nuclear weapons and advocating for the reallocation of military budgets towards social development programs. Under his guidance, the IPB became a leading voice in international forums, influencing policy decisions and fostering collaborations with other peace organizations.

Archer's strategic vision was evident in his efforts to engage with policymakers, governments, and civil society. He emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy as tools for conflict resolution. His leadership style was characterized by inclusivity and collaboration, bringing together diverse stakeholders to work towards common goals. Archer's ability to navigate complex geopolitical landscapes made him a respected figure in the peace movement.

Education and awareness-raising were central to Archer's mission. He believed that informed citizens were essential for achieving lasting peace. To this end, he championed initiatives that promoted peace education, encouraging dialogue across cultural and national boundaries. His efforts were instrumental in building a global community of peace advocates, united in their pursuit of a more harmonious world.

Beyond his work with the IPB, Archer was a prolific writer and speaker. His contributions to publications and forums on peace and disarmament reflected his deep conviction in the power of diplomacy. Archer's eloquence and clarity made him a sought-after voice in discussions on international security and peacebuilding.

After retiring from the IPB in 2016, Archer continued to be active in the peace movement, offering his expertise and insights to various initiatives. His legacy is one of resilience and hope, inspiring countless individuals and organizations to persist in their efforts to create a world where conflicts are resolved through negotiation rather than violence.

Colin Archer's impact on the IPB and the broader peace movement is a testament to the power of dedicated leadership. His life's work serves as a reminder of the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity and the enduring belief that a better world is possible through collective action and understanding. His contributions to the cause of peace have left an indelible mark, inspiring future generations to continue the pursuit of a more peaceful and just world.