Ferencz lecture: First Unitarian Congregation

Lecture: "Peace, Planethood, and World Law: A Roadmap to the Future" First Unitarian Congregation of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. Text scroll: "Benjamin Ferencz has dedicated a good portion of his life seeking a just and tranquil world society where all may live in peace and dignity, regardless of race or creed. He is a graduate of the Harvard Law School and saw active military service in World War II where he participated in the liberation of several Nazi concentration camps. At the age of 27, he became the chief prosecutor for the US in the Nuremberg War Crimes Trial. During this trial he created legal precedents for crimes against humanity. Dr. Ferencz is an accredited non-governmental observer at the United Nations and is an adjunct professor of international law at Pace University, New York." Ferencz speaks about his involvement in war and subsequent experience at Nuremberg, claiming that "most of my life is influenced by what I experienced as a result of entering the concentration camps and dealing with criminals." He identifies a human problem--a failure of the human spirit--and practical ways to create a peaceful world. The three fundamental principles, which must be effective, include 1) laws, which define what is permissable and not permissable; 2) courts, to determine if laws have been violated or to serve as a forum for settling disputes by peaceful means; and 3) a system of effective enforcement. He calls for an end to international anarchy (in his terms, "Wild West") and sovereignty. Ferencz suggests that the audience embrace a vision of where the world is going, educate for peace, not be intimidated by leaders of the peace process, and to individually do something to save the world. A question and answer period follows, including commentary on the "inevitable" effective interaction between states for global management.