World Veterans Federation - Peace and Security Summit

A day by day resume - Peace and Security Summit 2013

28 May

The delegations arrived the 28 May at Hotel Carlton in Stockholm. In the evening there was an opening ceremony at "Fotografiska Museet" with drinks and mingel. H.R.H. Prince Carl Philip, Patron of SVF held the official opening of the summit. It must have been a pleasant event as the Prince stayed all the evening. After the dinner folkdances and performance by "The Family Choir". "WVF Credo" performed by Vice President SVF  Alvi OlssonThe evening ended with a Tattoo by the Swedish Armed Forces.

29 May

Dr Hans Blix talked about how veterans can contribute to Peace and Security in society. His short answer was: "Veterans act as reporters from a grim reality. We need to hear the eyewitnesses. I can see no mission in the world that is more important than the very first lines of the Preamble of the United Nations Charter:"

“We the people of the United Nations are determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war."

Professor Jan Egeland, Human Rights Watch, talked about the problems in Darfur and Lebanon.

The word is changing very rapidly, he said, and it is getting better but the differences are today bigger between poor countries and rich. Sweden and Norway are today 100 times richer than the poorest countries.

"Democracies do not fight other democracies".

Dorijan Marcic, director.

ITF est. 1998 by the Slovenian government.

Goal one: To reduce the humanitarian and socioeconomic threats from landmines and ERW.

Goal two: To reduce threats to human security from post-conflict challenges other than landmines and ERW and to support conventional weapons destruction programs.

Goal three: To reduce the threats to human security from disruptive challenges,

Mr. Marcic also talked about how to clear countries from landmines in former Yugoslavia as well as other countries struck by war as for example Afghanistan.

Getting rid of the landmines gives possibilities to use the land for building houses and cultivate crops for example.

After lunch it continued outside at an open terrace, opposite,”Sjöhistoriska Museet.

At two PM, H.R.H. King Carl XVI Gustav H.R.H. Prince Carl Philip and the Supreme Commander Sw Armed forces marched in.

Address by H.M King Carl XVI Gustav.

Inauguration of the Veterans Monument "Restare" by Monica Larsen Dennis.

Address by the Supreme Commander Sw Armed Forces General Sverker Göransson and Defence Minister Karin Enström.

Depositing of wreaths by the King of Sweden, the president of SWF and the president of WVF.

Medals were handed over by the King and Prince Carl Philip to 31 war veterans.

After the National Anthem the veterans and their company gathered in the big tent for drinks and food. A donation of 500.000 SEK to SVF was handed over by Aagar

SWF honored War veteran of the year Richard Johansson, always a source of inspiration. Music was performed by Marinens Musikkårs Storband.

When the ceremonies were over it suddenly stopped to rain. Some of the guests took the sightseeing boat to the hotel after o two hour boat trip around the islands of Stockholm.

30 May

The last day of the International Peace and Security Summit.

A presentation was held by MP Allan Widman.

Presentation from SVF by Bengt Wiktorsson.

Presentation from Polish ASSOC of Vet by Mr Lotarski.

Presentation from SCAA by Geoffrey Giles

Presentation  from Mr Tor Lysenstöen

LUNCH

Presentation from The International Veteran Ralley

Presentation from Montenegro

Presentation from IAC by Anatoly Kumakov

Adoption of declaration

Address from The President Hamid Ibrahim:

"Mission accomplished, thanks to those who have worked so hard to fulfill our goals. We had a good week in Jordan and then went on to Montenegro. Sweden was willing to help. I am especially thankful to H.R H Prince Carl Philip who stayed at Fotografiska the whole evening. Also am I very pleased to see that The King stood up for the veterans. Thanks also to the Swedish Government and Armed Forces that has contributed so much. Thank you all. Without you there would not have been a summit at all. Thank you all!"

Gathering drink at 7 PM and farewell dinner.

Toasts for H.M King Carl XVI Gustaf and heads of other states here represented.

Entertainment of SW AF Field artists

Farewell address and presentation of gifts to WVF EB.

Final address from The President.

THE END

Photo: Veterans engaged in security matters. Byline: Kristofer Brohlin