DOCSLIB.ORG

ACTION Support Centre BIENNIAL REPORT 2009-2011

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
ACTION Support Centre BIENNIAL REPORT 2009-2011 ACTION Support Centre BIENNIAL REPORT 2009-2011 Africa Regional Hub of a global network of individuals & organisations committedThe to ACTION positive Support action Centre BIENNIAL to REPORT 2009-2011 1 transform conflict 2 The ACTION Support Centre BIENNIAL REPORT 2009-2011 ACTION Support Centre BIENNIAL REPORT 2009-2011 Contents Acronyms 4 Steering Committee Editorial 5 Messages of Support 6 Asia 7 Americas 8 Europe 9 Tribute to Dekha Ibrahim Abdi (1964 – 2011) 10 Wajir Peace University Trust 11 The ACTION Support Centre in Africa 12 Introduction: The Three Pillars of the Action Support Centre 13 Specific Initiatives 16 Publications, Operations, Partners and Donors 28 Audited Financial Statements 30 The ACTION Support Centre Sta! Members 34 3 Acronyms ACTION – Action for Conflict Transformation ASC – ACTION Support Centre AIMP – African Insider Mediators Platform ASC – Action for Conflict Transformation AU – African Union BCPR – Bureau for Conflict Prevention and Rehabilitation AXA – Anti-Xenophobia Action CEPAR – Centre for Peace and Applied Research COSATU – Congress of South African Trade Unions CPCS – Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies IANRA – International Alliance on Natural Resource in Africa IGAC – Insitut pour le Gouvernance en Afrique Centrale IOM – International Organisation for Migration NEPAD – New Partnership for Africa’s Development NGO – Non-Government Organisation NPA – Norwegian People’s Aid OSISA – Open Societies Initiative for Southern Africa PAC – Proudly African Campaign PAD – Peace and Development Platform PPAC – Political Parties A!airs Committee RTC – Responding to Conflict SAAS – Somali Association of South Africa SACC – South African Council of Churches SDC – Swaziland Democracy Campaign SADC – Southern African Development Community SSC – Skills and Strategies for Change STA – Solidarity and Transformation Agenda UNDP – United Nations Development Programme UNMIS – United Nations Mission in Sudan WSF – World Social Forum ZSF – Zimbabwe Solidarity Forum 4 The ACTION Support Centre BIENNIAL REPORT 2009-2011 On behalf of the Steering Committee a focus on the relationships between Steering of the ACTION Support Centre let me people, groups and institutions, and begin by thanking you for taking the the systems and structures that define, Committee time to read the latest edition of the bi- manage and sometimes get in the way EDITORIAL annual report. This report will give you of their ability to work together. some idea of the innovative contribution Ultimately all of the work of ACTION is of ACTION and its partners to social about constructing a new culture, from transformation on our continent. the bottom-up. A culture defined by Across Africa, and around the world, systems and structures that are inclusive, there has been an enormous surge that enable people to talk to each in forms of social mobilisation and a other and to be heard by each other, in growing sense of anger and frustration which new forms of relationships are against the manner in which ordinary forged between groups and in which people are being marginalised and individuals recognise and respect the excluded from the corridors of economic interconnections between themselves wealth and political power. and the world around them. The inequality and uneven development Here within this report you will find that continue to fuel this frustration are glimpses of forums, groups of people, Fatima Swartz, Steering a major concern for peacebuilders and initiatives and examples of where this Committee Chair, with ASC sta! conflict transformation practitioners. world is already being constructed. The Equally serious are the limited commitment and e!ortless contributions opportunities for genuine engagement of the people at the centre of the work between the policy makers and those contained in these few pages are driven whose lives are directly a!ected by the by the vision of this world and the belief decisions that are made. that indeed another world is not only possible, but absolutely essential. It is these underlying forms of structural violence that provide the fuel for the The developmental partnerships raging fires that the sparks of conflict highlighted in this report that have linked ignite. The inevitable destruction that will civil society groups, the international result if we cannot find the processes and community and even governments forms of engagement that shift legitimate in the pursuit of this collective vision anger in a direction that makes people provide a beacon for all of us. The feel part of a process of positive change Steering Committee of ACTION is a major threat and a pressing concern congratulates the sta! and partners of for all of us. the ACTION Support Centre for the examples they have provided of how It is within this context that the period much can be done in contributing to this 2009-2011 has seen an important world. consolidation of the ACTION Support Centre’s strategic contribution to conflict Finally our thanks go out to all of the transformation in Africa. Within the friends and colleagues that have walked framework of the three strategic pillars with us on this journey. The people-to- that guide our work ACTION sta! and people solidarity that is central to all of volunteers have e!ectively carried out a our work is mirrored by the links we have number of programmes. between us. The overall strategic framework of the We trust that you will find the report both organisation recognises the need to link informative and inspiring. personal transformation processes to The ACTION Support Centre BIENNIAL REPORT 2009-2011 5 Messages of Support 6 The ACTION Support Centre BIENNIAL REPORT 2009-2011 ACTION Asia ACTION Asia would like to begin by Forum’ hosted in Sri Lanka. Twenty-five paying tribute to Dekha Ibrahim Abdi. It is key ACTION Asia members reviewed with profound sorrow that we had to say some of the key programmes of ACTION good-bye to Dekha, who passed away Asia and settled on a model of two July 14, 2011 (may God rest her soul). leaders per country in Asia as the group who make key decisions on ACTION Asia ACTION Asia hosted the bi-annual Asia priorities and future. The Leaders Forum Peacebuilding Forum in Siem Reap was followed by a two-day reflection on Cambodia in October 2010. Seventy the experience of using the Reflecting on peacebuilders gathered from across Peace Practice’ methodology in the Asian the region to reflect on the theme context. ‘Transforming our Woundedness for Peace’ which enabled us to reflect on our As ACTION Asia has been training own traumas and su!ering which can practitioners across the region in this only enrich our work as peacebuilders. approach for the past two years, it was ACTION Asia Members Strategy We were honoured to have as our necessary to consider the method and Meeting 2010 keynote speaker, Dekha, who spoke on assess how it has been used. The findings the theme by drawing from her own of this reflexive analysis have also been wounds that she had encountered compiled into a small publication. in her life and her journey to finding ACTION Asia considers all violent forgiveness, healing and transformation. conflicts in the region critical, but due The reflections were published in a new to financial limitations, identifies and Action Asia volume Transforming our prioritises a selected number on which Woundedness for Peace: Reflections to focus and promote solidarity. In the from the Frontline. coming two years these conflicts include - Manipur and Orissa in India, Myanmar, In February 2011, ACTION Asia explored Mindanao, Thai Cambodia border and Sri new models for leading, structuring and Lanka. managing the network in the ‘Leaders The ACTION Support Centre BIENNIAL REPORT 2009-2011 7 ACTION Americas Fraternal Greetings to our colleagues impossible that a unique way of and comrades in the ACTION Support thinking develops progress; the key to Centre. It is our pleasure to share some progress is in the dialectical interaction of the key challenges we are facing and between diversity, di!erences, power to contribute these to the report you are and alternatives. Freedom, law and producing. institutions are more important than the authoritarian paternalism (of so many of Over the past two years the Americas our governments). have undergone a number of transitions and with the advent of this new From Tunisia and Egypt to Latin America, ‘democratic’ continent new challenges and even during my own learning at and new disparities have arisen. the Summer Peacebuilding Institute in USA, talking with friends and colleagues One of our members based in Chile, from Nigeria, South Sudan, Kenya, Sierra Mauricio Laborde, reflects about one of Leone, Ethiopia and Liberia, the common his long time ago concerns from the search is for this new form of democratic Delia Maria Davila Americas. Mauricio is worried about the Ilescas - ACTION Global exercise. It is a human search for human Communications Hub, discrediting of ‘associative spaces’ in forms of freedom and development. Guatemala. Latin America; this includes spaces that From Asia to Europe, from Africa to bring together governments, parties, America it’s a matter of humans and the unions and other social organisations. As need for humanity. Mauricio points out this disassociation of stakeholders is “our Achilles heel” From the Americas we challenge this and it’s the biggest expression of “latent global culture of “putting down fire” conflict”. Sooner rather than later social instead of “preventing the fire”. We know and political open conflicts will arise as a we will face more challenges, and result of this. they will be soon to come, so we keep mutating in the ways that we must do to Many ACTION America members keep building a di!erent world. We keep agree that today Latin America is not our spirit and bring our essence to the facing military conflicts, except by some peacebuilding places in di!erent ways, punctual expressions, or at least is not but always treasuring the richness of our the same political military expressions global cultures in this constant search of as it used to be.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • A Systemic Approach to Conflict Transformation. Exploring Strenghts
    A Systemic Approach to Conflict Transformation Exploring Strengths and Limitations Edited by Daniela Körppen, Beatrix Schmelzle and Oliver Wils Berghof Handbook Dialogue Series Edited by Daniela Körppen, Beatrix Schmelzle and Oliver Wils A Systemic Approach to Conflict Transformation Exploring Strengths and Weaknesses No. 6 About the Berghof Handbook Dialogue Series: The Berghof Dialogue Series is an offshoot of the Berghof Handbook for Conflict Transformation. Each topic in the series is chosen because it is particularly relevant to societies in conflict and the practice of conflict transformation, and because it raises important issues at the present time. In each dialogue, practitioners and scholars critically engage and debate in light of their experience. Typically, a Dialogue includes one lead article from key experts, and four commentaries from practitioners and others. Rather than presenting a single analysis, these practitioner-scholar dialogues stimulate debate, integrating different perspectives, challenging prevailing views, comparing research findings with experiences and insights on the ground. Importantly, Dialogues, as works of broad relevance, are also distributed in print version. We invite readers to respond to the papers (as to all articles). Interesting and original contributions can be added to the web version of the Dialogue. Up to now, the editors have initiated five dialogues on Peace and Conflict Impact Assessment (PCIA), Security Sector Reform (SSR), Transforming War Economies, New Trends in PCIA and on Social Change and Conflict Transformation. English-language editing and proof reading: Beatrix Schmelzle, Amy Hunter and Hillary Crowe Translation of Friedrich Glasl’s response (from German): Amy Hunter The Berghof Handbook Dialogue Series is published by the Berghof Research Center for Constructive Conflict Management Berghof Handbook for Conflict Transformation Order at: Dialogue Series Issue No.
    [Show full text]
  • Frauen Menschenrechte Frieden
    FRAUEN FÜR MENSCHENRECHTE UND _______________________________________FRIEDEN BEGEGNUNG MIT TRÄGERINNEN DES ALTERNATIVEN NOBELPREISES EINE VERANSTALTUNGSREIHE VOM 26.11. - 29.11.2008 DAS PROJEKT Das Nord Süd Forum München e.V. engagiert sich seit fast 20 Jahren für internationale Gerechtigkeit, Menschenrechte und Globales Lernen. Neben Veranstaltungen und Aktionen in München nach dem Grundsatz "global denken - lokal handeln" schließt dies insbesondere Bildungs- und Bewusstseinsarbeit ein. Angesichts der negativen Auswirkungen der gegenwärtigen Globalisierung auf weite Teile der Menschheit und der Bedrohung der Lebensgrundlagen entstand im Jahr 2007 die Idee, "Begegnungen mit Alternativen Nobelpreisträgern" zu ermöglichen, die sich mit dem herrschen- den Weltbild, dem Wirtschaftssystem und unserem Lebensstil auseinandersetzen. Die Preisträger Nicanor Perlas (Philippinen), Manfred Max-Neef (Chile) und Hans-Peter Dürr (Deutschland) stellten sich dieser Auseinandersetzung in der Veranstaltungsreihe "Dialog mit der Zukunft - Die Welt anders denken". Ermutigt durch die überaus positiven Rückmeldungen wurde für 2008 eine neue Veranstal- tungsreihe mit Alternativen Nobelpreisträgern geplant. Anlässlich des 60. Jahrestages der Allgemeinen Erklärung der Menschenrechte wurden für die Folgeveranstaltung drei Trägerinnen des Alternativen Nobelpreises eingeladen, die sich explizit für die Wahrung der Menschenrechte und für Friedensarbeit in ihren Heimatländern einsetzen. Drei Preisträgerinnen sagten ihre Teilnahme an einer Veranstaltungsreihe vom 26.
    [Show full text]
  • Verleihung Des Hessischen Friedenspreises 2009 an Dekha Ibbrahim Abdi
    Verleihung des Hessischen Friedenspreises 2009 an Dekha Ibbrahim Abdi The Hesse Peace Prize 2009 awarded to Dekha Ibrahim Abdi Schriften des Hessischen Landtags Heft 12 Schriften des Hessischen Landtags Heft 12 Schriften des Hessischen Landtags Heft 1 Bioethik-Symposium des Hessischen Landtags am 17. November 2001 Wiesbaden 2002 Heft 2 Gedenkveranstaltung für die Opfer des Nationalsozialismus am 27.01.2004 im Plenarsaal des Hessischen Landtags Wiesbaden 2006 Heft 3 Gedenkveranstaltung für die Opfer des Nationalsozialismus am 27.01.2005 im Stadtverordnetensaal des Wiesbadener Rathauses Wiesbaden 2006 Heft 4 Gedenkveranstaltung für die Opfer des Nationalsozialismus am 26.01.2006 im Hessischen Landtag Wiesbaden 2006 Heft 5 Gedenkveranstaltung für die Opfer des Nationalsozialismus am 27.01.2007 im Ständehaus Kassel Wiesbaden 2008 Heft 6 Symposium „Schutz des Lebens und Selbstbestimmung am Lebensende“ am 12. März 2007 im Hessischen Landtag Wiesbaden 2008 Heft 7 Festveranstaltung des Hessischen Landtags zum 60-jährigen Jubiläum des Unterausschusses Justizvollzug am 11. Mai 2007 in der Justizvollzugsanstalt Rockenberg Wiesbaden 2008 Heft 8 Gedenkveranstaltungen für die Opfer des Nationalsozialismus am 27. Januar 2008, 26. Januar 2009 und 27. Januar 2010 und aus Anlass des 70. Jahrestages der Reichspogromnacht am 10. November 2008 Wiesbaden 2010 Heft 9 Feierliche Übernahme des neuen Plenarsaals am 4. April 2008 und Verabschiedung der ausscheidenden Abgeordneten der 16. Wahlperiode des Hessischen Landtags sowie Einweihung des neuen Plenargebäudes Wiesbaden 2010 Heft 10 20. Jahrestag der friedlichen Revolution in der ehemaligen DDR und Beginn der partnerschaftlichen Zusammenarbeit von Hessen und Thüringen. Symposium am 18. September 2009 Wiesbaden 2010 Heft 11 9. November – Ein Tag deutscher Geschichte. Vortrag von Prof.
    [Show full text]
  • Working for Peace in Conflict Systems in Kenya: Addressing the Post-Election Crisis 2008
    Working for Peace in Conflict Systems in Kenya: Addressing the Post-Election Crisis 2008 Dekha Ibrahim Abdi www.berghof-handbook.net 1 This text is the transcript of an interview with Dekha Ibrahim Abdi, in response to Norbert Ropers’ article Systemic Conflict Transformation: Reflections on the Conflict and Peace Process in Sri Lanka (Ropers 2008). The interview was conducted by Oliver Wils, executive director of the Berghof Foundation for Peace Support and co-editor of this Dialogue, on 14 June 2008, during a workshop on “Insiders’ Mediation” in Schloss Munchenwiller, Switzerland. Background Box A: Kenya’ s 2008 post-election crisis Violence broke out in Kenya following the presidential election held on 27 December 2007. The incumbent President Mwai Kibaki was initially declared the winner amid widespread allegations of electoral fraud, leading to protests by supporters of the opposition Orange Democratic Movement, headed by Raila Odinga. Both violent and nonviolent protests were registered in many parts of the country and ethnically-targeted attacks began to escalate, primarily against Kikuyu people living in the Rift Valley. Over 30 people were killed near the town of Eldoret on 1 January 2008, when the church where they were seeking refuge was burned to the ground. Attacks and looting were also reported in Kisumu and Mombasa. A power-sharing agreement between Odinga and Kibaki was signed on 28 February 2008, following negotiations headed by the former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. This National Accord and Reconciliation Act established a coalition government, with Odinga as Prime Minister and a bi-party cabinet, which was sworn in on 17 April 2008.
    [Show full text]
  • Act Now to Avert Mass Starvation
    The FridayThe Bulletin Weekly Muslim News Update Shaban 21 1432/July 22 2011 Issue No. 429 Act now to avert mass starvation Muslims have been urged to step up more efforts to assist the victims of the drought which is In his sermon at Jamia Mosque, threatening the lives of millions of people across the country. Nairobi last week, he spoke of These remarks came from Abdullatif Essajee a member of the Jamia Mosque Committee who said that the agony and desperation fac- there was an urgent need to increase relief aid as the situation in North Eastern province and other ing thousands of people who affected areas was deteriorating. are on the throes of starvation due to lack of water and food caused by the drought. “We need to step in and avert the human disaster which is be- ing experienced in the county and some of our neighbouring states. Thousand of livestock the main economic lifeline for the drought victims have per- ished and many people are on the verge of losing their lives,” he said. “If we don’t act now, the souls of human being will perish,” Ab- dullatif who is also the execu- tive director of First Community Bank added. He sent out a call for assist- ance saying that Muslims are under obligation to help those in need. “We cannot afford to sit in our homes while peo- ple are dying. As Muslims we have to show and care for the weak, the need and the poor. Allah has made it part of the in- nate feeling of a human being Salim Ibrahim (left) the Jamia Mosque Administrator receiving a consignment of Islamic literature to care for others,” he told the from Sheikh Waleed El Saad the leader of the first overland aid convoy from South Africa to Gaza congregation which had gath- during the stopover in Nairobi last week.
    [Show full text]
  • 07 Right Livelihood Award She Shared Her Experience As Also Active with Responding to Mediation
    September to November 2011 BREAKING THE SILENCE ISSUE NO. 7 Wajir Live newsletter kshs 30/= Drought Persists Amid Growing Desperation Wajir County is currently experiencing the worst drought in decades. The situation is touching. Many ani- mals perished. People from all corners of the County shared their predicament with Wajir Live. Goats drinking water at a borehole in Dilmanyale village, Wajir. Many people have moved to the village because of this water source. See more drought photos on page 8 and 9. Photos/Mohamed. Other Stories Orphans spend their Dekha Ibrahim gone Fighting Back the Famine: lives in the back-line too Soon A 10 point plan They have no place they call home, their "In knowing her there were many as- The causes of poverty can be summarized eyes stare at an uncertain future and their pects of her personality that moved me into illiteracy, harsh climatic conditions, childhood innocence is ravaged by lack deeply: her passionate commitment and poor local leadership, brain drain and of care. Read about how the so-called idealism which translated into a continu- negligence by the government.In order to war on terror led by the West has shat- ous activism for social justice,.... Abdi provide a solution to the massive poverty tered the lives and dreams of orphans. Pg3 Billow -WPDA Pg4 level in North Eastern Kenya, Salah tell us how. Pg7 www.neponline.net Your gateway 2 Northern kenya Contact us and advertise here - [email protected] Page 2 EDITORIAL & COMMENTARY Sep -Nov. 2011/Wajir Live Asalam Aleikum dear readers.
    [Show full text]
  • Religion in Violence and Peace
    Religion in Violence and Peace Exploring inter-religious peacebuidling efforts in Kenya WORLD FAITHS DEVELOPMENT DIALOGUE DEVELOPMENT FAITHS WORLD August 2016 About the World Faiths Development Dialogue The World Faiths Development Dialogue (WFDD) is a not-for-profit organization working at the intersection of religion and global development. Housed within the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., WFDD documents the work of faith inspired organizations and explores the importance of religious ideas and actors in development contexts. WFDD supports dialogue between religious and development communities and promotes innovative partnerships, at national and international levels, with the goal of contributing to positive and inclusive development outcomes. Acknowledgments Crystal Corman, program manager at WFDD, led the research and activities for this project and is the primary author of this report. Desk review began in September 2014 with travel to Kenya to meet with key informants in November 2014 and April 2015. Additional interviews and meetings were held before and after a workshop held August 4, 2015 in Nairobi with secular and faith actors to explore the roles of religion in peace and stability in Kenya. An event summary is available online at https://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/events/peace-and- stability-in-kenya-the-role-of-religious-actors. Various student research assistants supported the research needs of this study including Alex Levy, Sarah Radomsky, and Zachary Karabatak. Katherine Marshall, executive director of WFDD, provided project oversight and direction. WFDD extends our appreciation to Mike Eldon, Daniel Ritchie, Steve Kirimi, and Nicole Bibbins Sedaca for reviewing drafts of this report and providing feedback and valuable critique.
    [Show full text]
  • Peace Builders Peace & Conflict Studies School
    PSRD UPDATES PSRD UPDATES PEACE BUILDERS PEACE & CONFLICT STUDIES SCHOOL S/No EVENT DESCRIPTION TARGET AUDIENCE 1 Dialogue Negotiation and Mediation 12 days course Multi-dimensional Staff to be deployed to mission. 09 -20 January 2017 funded by UK-BPST NEWS 2 Protection of Civilians (POC) 12 days course Multi-dimensional Staff to be deployed to mission. 09 -20 January 2017 funded by UK-BPST A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE INTERNATIONAL PEACE SUPPORT TRAINING CENTRE VOLUME 9, ISSUE 4 (01 OCTOBER - 31 DECEMBER 2016) 3 Election Monitoring and 12 days course Comprises of participants who should be assigned Management (EMM) funded by Denmark to, or possibly assigned to operational positions for 01-10 Februry 2017 a peace operation mission(AU or UN) 4 Child Protection (CP) 12 days course Selected individuals who are serving or will be 01-10 February 2017 funded by UK-BPST serving in senior and middle level positions within PSO. They include military, police and civilian. 5 Regional Senior Mission Leader 12 days course Selected members of Eastern African Regional Course (RSML) funded by UK-BPST organisations and Member States 13-24 February 2017 6 Sexual and Gender Based Violence 12 days course Selected officers serving in AMISOM 13-24 Februry 2017 funded by UK-BPST 7 Conflict Analysis and Prevention 12 days course Practitioners working with peace and security 01-10 March 2017 funded by UK-BPST issues in general and conflict prevention more 20 March -02 April 2017 specifically. HUMANITARIAN PEACE SUPPORT SCHOOL 8 Leadership and Preventive 12 days course Selected men, women and youth involved in Diplomacy Emphasis on Women funded UN WOMEN Community Peace Building activities.
    [Show full text]
  • CITIZENS in ACTION Making Peace in the Post-Election Crisis in Kenya – 2008
    CITIZENS IN ACTION Making Peace in the Post-Election Crisis in Kenya – 2008 By George Wachira with Thomas Arendshorst and Simon M. Charles 2 a ic 5 r f y A ea n rs o k i f Peace Wor Citizen’sConcerned Peacemaking Citizens for Peace in National Political-EthnicA Peace Resource Organisation Conflict a CITIZENS IN ACTION Making Peace in the Post-Election Crisis in Kenya – 2008 By George Wachira with Thomas Arendshorst and Simon M. Charles January 2010 NPI-Africa Founded in 1984 as Nairobi Peace Group, Nairobi Peace Initiative-Africa (NPI- Africa) has been involved in a wide range of peacebuilding initiatives in Africa. Its work has involved mediation and dialogue facilitation, training and capacity building, and healing and reconciliation initiatives in countries in East, Central and West Africa. NPI-Africa also undertakes research and documentation, seeks to influence policy in areas relevant to its mission, and promotes reflection and learning from peacebuilding practice. During the 2008 post-election crisis in Kenya, NPI-Africa played a key role in the founding of CCP and provided the institutional framework for purposes of recieving and managing CCP funds. Contact details: NPI-Africa 5th Floor, New Waumini House, Chiromo Road-Waiyaki Way, Westlands, P.O. Box 14894 - 00800, Nairobi-Kenya Tel: +254(20) 4441444/4440098,Fax: +254(20) 4440097 E-mail: [email protected], Website: www.npi-africa.org Global Partnership for The Prevention of Armed Conflict (Gppac) The Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) is a global multi-stakeholder network of organisations committed to act to prevent the escalation of conflict into destructive violence, at national, regional and global levels.
    [Show full text]
  • Women, Religion, and Peace Interview Series
    Women, Religion, and Peace Interview Series February 2012 About the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs The Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs at Georgetown University, created within the Office of the President in 2006, is dedicated to the interdisciplin- ary study of religion, ethics, and public life. Through research, teaching, and service, the Center explores global challenges of democracy and human rights; economic and social development; international diplomacy; and interreligious understanding. Two premises guide the Center’s work: that a deep examination of faith and values is criti- cal to address these challenges, and that the open engagement of religious and cultural traditions with one another can promote peace. About the World Faiths Development Dialogue (WFDD) The World Faiths Development Dialogue (WFDD) bridges between the worlds of faith and secular development. Established by James D. Wolfensohn, then President of the World Bank, and Lord Carey of Clifton, then Archbishop of Canterbury, WFDD responded to the opportunities and concerns of many faith leaders who saw untapped potential for partner- ships. Based in Washington, D.C., WFDD supports dialogue, fosters communities of prac- tice, and promotes understanding on religion and development, with formal relationships with the World Bank, Georgetown University, and many faith-inspired institutions. About the United States Institute of Peace The United States Institute of Peace is an independent, nonpartisan institution established and funded by Congress. Its goals are to help prevent and resolve violent conflicts, promote postconflict peacebuilding, and increase conflict management tools, capacity, and intellec- tual capital worldwide. The Institute does this by empowering others with knowledge, skills, and resources, as well as by its direct involvement in conflict zones around the globe.
    [Show full text]
  • As Crucial Actors in Conflict Transformation Case Study
    The Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers publication 1 Mir Mubashir BASELINE STUDY Tradition- & Faith-Oriented Insider Mediators (TFIMs) as Crucial Actors in Conflict Transformation Case Study: Kenya Contents 1. Introduction .....................................................................................................................3 2. Roles and engagements .....................................................................................................5 3. Assets and approaches ......................................................................................................6 4. Challenges and limitations .................................................................................................8 5. Support needs.................................................................................................................11 6. Concluding reflections .....................................................................................................12 7. References ......................................................................................................................13 Background of this case study In mediation processes, usually an outsider and impartial third party mediator is sought. In certain contexts, especially in traditional and high-context societies, an insider mediator who is intrinsic (geographically, culturally and normatively) to the conflict context, and thereby partial, often gets more legitimacy to mediate than an outsider. Tradition- & faith-oriented insider mediator
    [Show full text]
  • No Failure in Peace Work
    No Failure in Peace Work The Life and Teaching of Dekha Ibrahim Abdi 2nd edition ‘People have the tendency to start an initiative, want quick results, and if things don’t work well in two months then they give up and say it has failed. For me there is no failure in peace initiatives. If something is not working it is an invitation for further work, reflection and learning. Peacework needs some risk-taking and exploring sincerely and learning from our mistakes.’ – Dekha Ibrahim Abdi NO FAILURE IN PEACE WORK : The Life and Teaching of Dekha Ibrahim Abdi i Contents Introduction ........................................................................................................ iv PART ONE: LEARNING FROM DEKHA: PEACEBUILDER AND TEACHER ............1 Dekha Ibrahim Abdi: A Life Dedicated To Peace ..................................................1 Ambassador Bethuel Kiplagat The Essence of Self: A Tribute to the Weaver of People – Dekha Ibrahim Abdi .. 11 Richard Smith Some Approaches to Peacebuilding in the Work of Dekha Ibrahim Abdi ..........18 Bridget Walker Transforming the Discourse of Violence and Despair: Opening Windows in the Mind in Palestine and Israel ............................................................................... 39 Marwan Darweish and Joan McGregor with Bridget Walker Policy Matters: The Importance of Policy in Peace Practice ..............................57 Dekha Ibrahim Abdi and Bridget Walker Foreword .....................................................................................................
    [Show full text]