If we channelled just $40 billion each year away from armies into anti-poverty programmes, in ten years’ time all the world’s population would enjoy basic social services - education, healthcare and nutrition, drinkable water and sanitation. Another $40 billion a year over ten years would provide each person on this planet with an income level above the poverty line in their country.

“This life-giving $80 billion annually would represent only 10% of world defence expenditure ($780 billion in 1997 alone),” explained Dr Oscar Arias, former president of Costa Rica and Nobel Peace Prize Winner. Costa Rica gave up its army in 1949. As a result of Dr. Arias’ peace diplomacy, Panama and Haiti followed Costa Rica’s example.