Organization Description and Mission

The Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA) is a grassroots citizens’ organization that brings together people of all ages, backgrounds, professions, and political persuasions to advocate for three goals: global abolition of nuclear weapons, a peace economy, and a halt to weapons trafficking at home and abroad. CFPA activities include community education through forums, workshops, and speakers. In addition, the Coalition sponsors an annual conference in November on various peace issues.

Two closely related non-profit organizations carry out the mission of CFPA. The first is the Coalition for Peace Action, which oversees the advocacy work of the organization. The Coalition for Peace Action includes a Political Action Committee that organizes lobbying, demonstrations, vigils, and briefings and has standing with the United Nations as a Non-Governmental Organization. There are sixteen active local CFPA affiliates in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

The second part of the Coalition is the Peace Action Education Fund, which is incorporated as a tax-exempt public education organization. PAEF has several working committees, including the Peace Education Committee, which organizes the Annual Conference and Interfaith Service for Peace, and other community education events as well as sending speakers, videos, etc. to schools, congregations, and community groups.

  Research Questions

• The Coalition is interested in research that focuses on the risk posed by nuclear weapons terrorism. What are the key dangers of nuclear weapons terrorism and how could they be mitigated? What is the level of risk for nuclear weapons terrorism in the United States?
• The SMART Security campaign by Physicians for Social Responsibility seeks a Sensible, Multilateral, American Response to Terrorism. It attempts to strengthen international institutions in order to prevent terrorism, stop the spread of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, and change US budget priorities. It currently produces a brochure outlining its platform and motives, and the Coalition would like students to conduct comprehensive research on those issues in order to create a more in-depth publication.
• The Coalition would like student to look into whether it is advisable to create a special bipartisan investigative commission to investigate possible war crimes in U.S. terrorist detention camps.  What are the precedents for such a commission?  How could the commission impact the reputation of the United States as a moral leader?  How can the Coalition educate the public on the need for this type of commission?   Will officials who authorized torturing suspects to death going to be liable for war crimes?  How will they be held accountable?
• One possible research topic could be to examine the cost of securing all of the Russian fissile material. What procedures and information would be needed to do so, and what dangers are present if this is not done?
• The Coalition is also interested in looking at attitudes regarding nuclear proliferation. What does the public know about nuclear warfare? What is the public perception of the number of nuclear weapons in the US and abroad?
• Another way to approach this question is through the lens of nuclear non-proliferation. How can the spread of nuclear proliferation be stopped?
• Building on a previous student project, identify sites besides civilian nuclear power plants that have the potential to be used in the creation of a “dirty bomb.” For instance, what is the likelihood that food irradiation plants could be exploited for this purpose? Students could investigate this issue on a national or a global scale.

• Studies have shown that despite efforts to educate people about the technological limitations of the proposed National Missile Defense system, people continue to support the development of such a program. What are the most effective tools for educating people and members of Congress about the limitations of this program? What should be the content of the message? Does NMD amount to any effective defense in North Korea?

• How does American unilateralism affect state and federal spending? Students could compare the cost and effectiveness of unilateral vs. multilateral approaches in US history. How does unilateralism affect or impact domestic security efforts? What are the costs of creating a coalition, and can we apply a justification for this action on a cost/benefit scale? The Coalition is specifically interested in a discussion of the methods used in the Iraq War in comparison with some historical examples. As part of the final product, they would ask the student to produce a fact sheet with these comparisons for clear and easy reference.

• The Coalition is interested in an investigation of how Congress has dealt with Presidential deceptions in the past in comparison to how it is dealing with the apparent exaggeration by President George W. Bush regarding weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. The study could document Congress’s reaction to one or more Presidential deceptions in American history and compare this to the current situation. Students could examine this question from an historical or a political viewpoint.
• CFPA has been working on a program for educating students being recruited by the military. They want to make sure that all information is made available to these students before they join the military. They are working towards a counter-recruitment or full disclosure education plan. The CFPA would like students to find concrete statistics and data on recruitment. How many recruits actually receive money for education? Who benefits most? What is the average time needed to serve? How many recruits later receive degrees? Does delayed enrollment work?

Continue searching profiles in alphabetical order.

Continue searching profiles by area of interest.

Continue searching profiles by geographic location.