Volume XIll,
Number 9
Oct. 1, 1991

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CAPILANO COLLEGE'S INTERNAL NEWSLETTER

Celebrating 20 Years 1968 - 1988

Gwynne Dyer to

“Nobody has to explain to
their kids about nuclear war
anymore, because it’s not going
to happen,” said Gwynne Dyer in
a recent interview.

Dyer, military historian, au-
thor, lecturer, broadcaster and
print journalist, has been look-
ing for a pattern in global events
of the last few years. What he
has found, he said, amounts to
“an avalanche of change.”

Factors such as the democra-
tization of Eastern Europe, the
disappearance of the Cold War
and the revival of the United
Nations as a peace-keeping force
have shifted the path of history,
he said.

Although most of the change
has been non-violent, even the
War in Iraq contributed to world
peace because it heightened the
UN’s influence, Dyer said.

“The UN is shutting down
wars around the world at the
rate of one every couple of
months.” As examples, the war in Angola was halted in
May after 15 years, in July the UN brought about an
end to the conflict in the Western Sahara, and in mid-
September the UN brokered the Cambodian cease fire
agreement. The Middle East peace conference is set to
get underway next month.

Dyer’s optimism raises a lot of controversy. Many
people cling to the view that the world situation is as
bad as it ever was, he said. “They'll give you showers of
dismal predictions. You open your mouth and say things
are getting better, and they look horrified.”

In a lecture on Friday, Oct. 4, Dyer may change

Noted historian and journalist Gwynne Dyer will
speak on campus Friday, October 4.

speak at Cap

some minds. At least his talk will
| let people feel a little better
| about their future, he said.

One thing Dyer predicts will
get better is the economy. He said
| the shift toward world peace will
| decrease the need for defence
/ spending. Governments can then
lower taxes, or spend more
| money on social programs.

Dyer began his interest in
military history at 16, when he
entered the navy. He served in
Canadian, U.S. and British forces
and has spent close to 20 years as
a historian. He holds a Ph.D in
Military and Middle Eastern
History from the University of
London. Since 1973, Dyer has
shifted his focus toward film and
journalism, producing films for
the CBC and the National Film
Board, and writing a syndicated
column published in 30 countries.
His most recent book is The
Defence of Canada (in collabora-
tion with Tina Viljoen, McClelland and Stewart, 1990)

Dyer’s Oct. 4 lecture, “After the Wars” takes place
at 7 p.m. in the Sportsplex. Tickets are $10 in advance
or $12 at the door. Call loc. 2901 for information. Dyer
will also participate in a discussion on world peace and
security from 2:30 - 3:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 4 in Room
H402. Faculty, staff and students are invited.

Inside...
Sportsplex Opening .............ssccscccessesecessesnesscsseseeseesseneeneens 3
Farewell to Greg Sharpe ............esecssssscescecsssssescssseseesssseeeees 7
Hello to Marle@n Morris ..........cccsscscssssescscsssseseseceseseseaeees 2

gS CAPILANO COLLEGE