Description
In 18-month period of time, we will work out a public stance of a coalition of at least six social organisations on the planned purchase and use by Poland of unmanned aircrafts (SBBPL). The coalition will present to the decision-makers and the general public their opinion, taking into account human rights, ethical considerations, principles of democracy or international solidarity. In this way, this priority program in development of the Polish armed forces will finally meet a response from the civil society. A social campaign on the national and local levels (led in Warsaw, Szczecin, Cracow, Gdańsk and Wrocław), as well as on the Internet, a competition of academic debates, scenarios for academic discussions, a conference and other activities will help to enhance social awareness of the problems raised by the coalition and to initiate interdisciplinary public debate. In the project, we will use experiences of the Norwegian Association for Peace - Fredslaget (member of global coalition "Campaign to Stop Killer Robots").
Summary of project results
Poland is very interested in the development of unmanned combat aerial vehicle systems (UCAVS), and at the same time there is no public, nation-wide debate about legal and ethical aspects of their use, and the civil society has not yet spoken on the subject. The objective of the project was mobilising the civil society to express a stance and increase the chance that its opinion will be considered in the government's policy. Two stances of NGO coalitions on UCAVS were formulated. Certain state institutions chose to consider this voice in their conceptual works (the Doctrine and Training Centre of the Polish Armed Forces and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs). The final conference, which was the culmination of the promotional campaign in 5 cities, was attended by about 100 people: journalists, scientists, representatives of the government and the industry, as well as students. It contributed to higher awareness, and facilitated public discussion. The project included the creation of the
www.5ton.pl website presenting the outcomes of the project. Two related Stances were prepared by the total of 13 civil society organisations; a popular scientific book of 236 pages, available also as an e-book was created, together with an interdisciplinary scenario for academic teachers, which was tested 14 times in 6 cities, by the total of 388 people; an on-line database of information about UCAVS, containing 130 article records; a tool kit with scenarios of activities increasing the knowledge about UCAVS, used 5 times; a promotional film and 4 short films with the project's “ambassadors"; 2 recordings of debates; 6 newsletters; factual materials for journalists. The project's chief beneficiary was the civil society, defined as NGOs and active, young citizens. By providing the scenario tool for classes, academic teachers were reached. Thanks to the publication in Polish, the results of the experts' work were publicised, so they can reach government and scientific institutions, as well as the public. The NPA acted mainly as a mentor. Via their network of contacts, ICLHR was able to access international forums of discussion (ENAAT, EFAD). The PCK provided the essential and strategic support - helped with reaching experts and academic teachers. FPD conducted the debate competition.
Summary of bilateral results
"The bilateral partnership contributed to the project in terms of strenghtening results and building up the experience of the ICLHR thanks to the previous experience of Fredslaget. As the main achievements on a bilateral level we can enlist improved knwoledge and experience as well as broader networking in the civil society concerning arms control and armed drones."