The purpose of a statement on violence would be to provide a clear,
simple, scientific statement of the principle, agreed upon in general by
most scientists and scholars in the relevant disciplines, that biological
factors are not an insurmountable obstacle to the achievement of world
peace. The need for such a Statement is indicated by the findings that
young people in various countries often believe that warfare is an intrinsic
part of human nature, and the findings that young people who hold this
belief are less likely than others to take an active part in the struggle
for peace.

We hope that you will be able to play an active role in both the CICA
Coloquio and in the drafting conference for the Statement on Violence.

To take part in the CICA Coloquio, please fill out and return, as soon
as possible, the enclosed registration information. If you are presenting
a scientific paper, please indicate its title. The registration form should
be mailed to Dr. Martin Ramirez, Dept of Psychobiologv, University of Seville,
Calle San Fernando, 41001. Seville, Spain.

To take part in the drafting conference for the Statement on Violence,
please write to me as soon as possible: David Adams, Dept. of Psychology
Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06457, USA. Then, as soon as possible,
and at least by May, prepare a one-page statement, clear and understandable
to the layperson, on what is known and can be scientifically stated from your
own area of expertise bearing on the following question

Does modern biology and social science know of any biological
factors including those concerned with the biology of violent
behavior of individuals, that constitute an insurmountable or
serious obstacle to the goal of world peace based upon the
principle of equal rights and self—determination of peoples
and including an ultimate goal of general and complete disarmament
through the United Nations?

The phrasing for this question is drawn from the United Nations Charter,
chapter I, Article 1, and from the United Nations disarmament resolution of l959.
As soon as I receive your one page statement, I will duplicate and forward
it to the others who have been invited to take part in the drafting conference

A list of the first-round invitations, as agreed upon by the ad—hoc
selection committee, is enclosed. A second round of participants will be
invited as soon as we hear from the first round, so that we can guarantee
a drafting conference that is composed of a balance of various scientific
specialities and geographical/cultural diversity.

Financial support is being sought. We hope that none of you will be
prevented because of money from coming to Spain, and we will make every
effort to help you participate. In the meantime, please try to obtain local
sources of support.

Finally, 1 would like to emphasize our sincere wish that you make every
effort to take part in drafting the Statement on Violence. We believe that you
have a unique and important contribution to make. And we believe that just as
the Statement on Race has had a profound historical effect, we believe that a
Statement on Violence, well written and disseminated, can have a similar
impact on the difficult and important struggle for world peace that has now
come to a climax in our times.

Peace,

David Adams
Professor of Psychology, Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT. 06457, USA