GDAMS: War costs us the Earth
12 April is the Global Day of Action against Military Spending (GDAMS). The date was proposed by the International Peace Bureau (IPB) to promote a common awareness of the problems caused by military spending. Anyone acting in good faith believes that this money should be used to promote human development and not wars.
According to IPB, much has been written about the effects of the use of armaments in wars, but less about the consequences of failing to strike a balance between social welfare and sustainability, which is crucial for the interests of the population as a whole and for its long-term security.
IPB draws attention to the contrast between the high level of military budgets - estimated by the Stockholm International Peace Studies Institute at $2,443,000,000,000 ($2.443 billion) worldwide in 2023 - with, for example, the failure to meet the Millennium Development Goals, suggesting that, in general, "studies into the origins of violent conflict find a myriad of factors, but in no case do they indicate that building a larger military is the key to keeping a country free from war. In fact, funds spent on weapons divert resources from social, political and economic development that could address the root causes of conflict".
These direct negative effects include the money spent on weapons systems rather than on human development, as well as the indirect effects associated with the negative health effects on individuals resulting from the research, development, creation and subsequent dismantling, at best, of biological, chemical and nuclear weapons.
It goes without saying that an increase in military spending will inevitably result in a decrease in investment in other areas such as education, health, services and infrastructure needed by people.
From 10 April to 9 May 2025, the International Peace Bureau will join forces with partners around the world for the Global Day of Action 2025 against Military Spending (GDAMS 2025). This year's campaign comes at a crucial time, as the world faces escalating violence, including the ongoing genocide in Gaza, the war in Ukraine and more than thirty other armed conflicts in the Global South, many of them in Africa. These conflicts, along with increasing militarisation and supremacist rhetoric, have created a climate of fear and instability.
In the face of these challenges, governments respond by increasing military budgets at an alarming rate, pouring unprecedented amounts of resources into the arms industry. This focus on militarisation not only exacerbates global tensions, but also diverts vital resources away from sectors that contribute to peace, social well-being and environmental sustainability. We have to ask ourselves: Why do we invest in arms instead of diplomacy, humanitarian aid and conflict resolution?
History has shown us that militarisation does not lead to peace and security. On the contrary, it perpetuates cycles of destruction, suffering and injustice. Now, more than ever, it is essential that we demand an end to this reckless arms race and demand a commitment to peace, dialogue and cooperation. We need governments to prioritise justice and human dignity, not weapons for war. IPB's GDAMS campaign is an urgent call to action, and we need your support. Join us in advocating for a world in which peace is not merely an aspiration, but a reality.
GDAMS 2025 events:
- 10-11 April: Common Security Council.
- 15 April: Tax Day in the USA.
- 22 April: Earth Day.
- 28 April: Publication by SIPRI of new data on military spending (2024 figures).
- 9 May: European Peace Day.
We invite organisations and individuals to participate in GDAMS 2025 by organising events, campaigns or awareness-raising activities. If you are planning an action, please let us know by
https://demilitarize.org/media_news/gdams-2025-april-10-to-may-9/
