Global Peacebuilders : What's New

More than 40 countries are due to attend a high-profile conference examining the lessons of Northern Ireland for resolving conflicts elsewhere in the world.

The first and deputy first ministers and the Good Friday Agreement talks chairman, George Mitchell, will be among those addressing the conference, hosted by the Irish government.

The Irish Foreign Minister, Eamon Gilmore, said he acknowledged all conflicts were different.

However, he told BBC Radio Ulster’s Inside Politics programme on Sunday that examining the Northern Ireland peace process could be valuable.

“What we want to do is, basically, for the people who are involved in those conflicts and the people who live in those areas, to get an understanding of what happened in Northern Ireland,” he said.

“We’re not trying to say that there were direct lessons or direct comparisons that can be made, but simply to hear the story of how the Northern Ireland peace process came about.”

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Systemic Peacebuilding, Conflict Transformation & Post-War Recovery and Reconciliation (PCTR) Course

The PCTR Programme is implemented in affiliation with the Peace Operation Training Institute’s Certificate of Training in United Nations Peace Support Operations (COTIPSO).

The programme has been acclaimed by policy makers and practitioners from national and international organizations, the United Nations and governments as one of the best programs of its kind in the world. Through prior communication with participating organizations, governments and individuals, the program is customized to meet the specific needs of each group and to address the key issues and concerns they are facing in their work and contexts.

Bringing together experienced practitioners and policy makers from governments, the United Nations, regional organizations (EU, AU, OAS, ASEAN), and national and international organisations and agencies, the program provides a unique opportunity to exchange experiences and practical learning together with those working in conflict situations world-wide. One of the best evaluated programs in the field internationally, the PCTR is also unique in addressing all three phases of violence and war – before, during and after – based on practical operational experiences.

The PCTR program is a five-day intensive training which provides middle and senior-level experts with a forum for reflection and professional development in a dynamic and stimulating environment. Given the issues it addresses, it is also relevant for those working in political, gender, security, human rights, development, and humanitarian fields, donors, and diplomats, working in areas affected or threatened by war and armed conflict or in post-war situations.

The PCTR draws upon a global experience base, systematically weaving together key operational and policy lessons identified and good practices. The direct, needs-based, skills and knowledge intensive approach of the PCTR is particularly relevant for senior and executive field staff and leadership in governments and organisations as well as mid-range staff and field practitioners in national and international aid and development organisations. The program’s focus on practical experiences, skills which can be used in the field, and modules on systemic peacebuilding, early warning, conflict intelligence, and applied peacebuilding methodologies, have received strong and positive feed-back from participants, both during the program and years later. Participants include: senior experts, field staff working in areas affected by violent conflict and war and in post-war situations, international diplomats, national and local level politicians in countries affected by war and conflict or with portfolios responsible for issues dealing with peacebuilding, conflict transformation, and development policies, policy makers, UN staff and heads of missions, people involved in grass-roots and community-based peacebuilding, and practitioners of conflict transformation and mediation.

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UN ambassador wives in peace plea to Syria’s Asma Assad

The wives of the German and British ambassadors to the UN have released a video urging Syria’s first lady to help end the bloodshed in her country.

The film, posted on YouTube, asks Asma Assad to urge her husband, Bashar al-Assad, to stop violent repression.

It contrasts glamorous pictures of her lavish lifestyle with graphic images of dead and injured Syrian children.

Huberta von Voss Wittig and Sheila Lyall Grant say the video was made on their own initiative.

The four minute video is addressed directly to Mrs Assad, calling her “Asma” throughout. It contains explicit footage of injured and dying children, and tells her “these children could all be your children”.

It urges Mrs Assad to “stand up for peace”, and asks “what happened to you, Asma?”

The film urges viewers to sign an online letter asking Mrs Assad to act to end the violence in Syria.

Born and educated in Britain, Asma Assad has often been portrayed favourably by the Western media.

Before the Syrian uprising began in March 2011, Asma Assad helped to promote the international image of her husband’s government and was the subject of flattering profiles in fashion magazines and newspapers.

But in February 2012 Britain’s Guardian newspaper published emails which it said were from the private accounts of the Assads.

They apparently revealed the first lady shopping online for expensive designer shoes and jewellery, custom-made furniture and other luxury goods, at a time when violence inside Syria was escalating.

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Abbas sends Netanyahu letter with Palestinian demands

A letter detailing Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas's demands for restarting peace talks has been handed to Israel's prime minister.

Palestinian officials gave the document to Benjamin Netanyahu at a meeting in Jerusalem, at which both sides said they were "committed to reach peace". Mr Netanyahu will reply within 14 days.

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad earlier pulled out of the meeting, torpedoing what would have been the highest-level talks since late 2010.

Negotiations on a two-state solution stalled following a dispute over Jewish settlement construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Mr Netanyahu and Mr Fayyad had been due to meet at the Israeli prime minister's official residence on Tuesday for what Palestinian officials said was a last-ditch attempt to revive the peace process before the US presidential election campaign got under way.

But only hours before it was meant to start, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said only he and the head of the Palestinian General Intelligence Service, Maj Gen Majed Farj, would be attending.

Afterwards, Mr Netanyahu's office issued a statement confirming that the prime minister had received a letter from the Palestinian officials.

"At the end of the meeting the following statement was agreed upon: Israel and the PA are committed to reach peace," it said.

"Within two weeks a letter will be delivered from PM Netanyahu to President Abbas. Both sides hope that this exchange of letters will help find a way to promote peace."

The letter from President Abbas demands that Israel freeze all settlement construction, and accept the borders which were in place before the 1967 Middle East war as the basis for those of a future Palestine, with mutually agreed modifications, according to a draft seen by the Associated Press.

Mr Abbas has also said that the letter accuses Israel of undermining the Palestinian Authority, which governs the West Bank.

"[Benjamin Netanyahu] has intensified the settlements, and the solution was to send him the letter in which we stress the status quo cannot continue and we can't accept it forever," he told reporters in Sri Lanka.

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The UN and Arab League envoy to Syria, Kofi Annan, has said he has received assurances from Damascus that it will respect his ceasefire plan. Speaking during a visit to Iran, Mr Annan said there could be “improved conditions on the ground” by Thursday morning, if all sides did so.

On Tuesday, the government failed to withdraw its troops and weaponry from population centres as it had agreed. There was also no let-up in violence, with at least 100 people reported dead.

Activists said at least three people had been killed on Wednesday after fresh shelling in the city of Homs and raids in Deraa province.

Mr Annan told reporters in Tehran that he had received “further clarifications” from the government of President Bashar al-Assad on how it intended to suspend hostilities and respect his six-point peace plan.

“We have been in touch with them and have had positive answers from them and have also approached governments with influence to ensure that all parties respect the ceasefire,” he said. “If everyone respects it, I think by six in the morning on Thursday we shall see improved conditions on the ground.”

But he said the government was still seeking assurances that opposition forces would also stop the fighting “so that we could see cessation of all the violence”.

Mr Annan was speaking after talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi, during which he appealed for Tehran’s support.

He said the region “cannot afford another shock” and warned that any miscalculation or mistakes in Syria could have “unimaginable consequences”.

Iran has been a key ally of Damascus, but Mr Salehi said that “as long as the peace plan continues its approach, Iran will support it”.

China, which has blocked – with Russia – two UN Security Council resolutions condemning the crackdown on dissent, also called on the Syrian government to “respond” to Mr Annan’s peace initiative and “fully implement the commitment of the ceasefire and withdrawal of troops”.

The US permanent representative to the UN, Susan Rice, who is chairing the Security Council, said on Tuesday: “The Syrian leadership should now seize the opportunity to make a fundamental change of course.”

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Special Scholarship for Upcoming London Executive Leadership Programmes for Peacebuilding Practitioners

The Department of Peace Operations (DPO) and the International Peace and Development Training Centre (IPDTC) of PATRIR are pleased to announce 10 special scholarships for the upcoming Executive Leadership Programmes in London (April 16 – 21). The scholarships are intended to support experienced practitioners and experts working in peacebuilding from governments, civil society organisations, and regional organisations. Each scholarship covers 300 GBP out of the full fee of GBP 495 for each programme and can be available for either or both programmes.For the two programmes combined we can provide scholarships of GBP 600. Unfortunately the scholarships do not also cover travel and accommodation which must be provided by the sending organisations / agencies.

- have 5 or more years experience working in peacebuilding / peace support operations
and/or

- be directly employed by a local, national or international organisation or government working in peacebuilding, post-war recovery, peace support operations and related fields

The Scholarships are highly competitive and recipients will be selected based upon their work and engagement in the field and what they are able to bring to the programme. Both London programmes are Executive level workshops intended for senior practitioners and experts.

in Cooperation with Engi – the Secretariat of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Conflict Issues

1. Making Peacebuilding Work: Improving Design and Strategic Impact, Quality and Effectiveness in Peacebuilding & Peace Support Operations (April 16 – 18, 2012);
2. Designing & Implementing Effective Monitoring and Evaluation for Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation Programmes, UN Missions & Post-War Recovery & Rebuilding (April 19 – 21, 2012)

These programmes are offered in London in cooperation with Engi, the Secretariat of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Conflict Issues of the UK Parliament. Special discounts apply for organisations participating
in both programmes and for agencies, organisations and missions sending 2 or more participants.
For more information or to apply visit www.patrir.ro/training or email training@patrir.ro

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS:

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1. Making Peacebuilding Work: Improving Design and Strategic Impact, Quality and Effectiveness in Peacebuilding & Peace Support Operations

Executive Leadership Programme - www.patrir.ro/training
16th – 18th of April, 2012, London, UK
Fee: GBP 495 (includes course fee, preparation materials, certification)
Special discount: Early Payment, Multiple Participants, Two Courses Taken Together

Improving Strategic Impact is a three-day Executive Leadership Programme (ELP) designed for senior practitioners, peacebuilding experts, and heads of agencies working in peacebuilding and peace support operations. The course draws on best practices in programme and strategic planning and design. It is a highly practical, hands-on training to help organisations, agencies and governments improve the quality, impact and effectiveness of their programmes and operations.

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2. Designing & Implementing Effective Monitoring and Evaluation for Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation Programmes, UN Missions & Post-War Recovery & Rebuilding

Executive Leadership Programme - www.patrir.ro/training
19th – 21st of April, 2012, London, UK
Fee: GBP 495 (includes course fee, preparation materials, certification)
Special discount: Early Payment, Multiple Participants, Two Courses Taken Together

This is a three-day Executive Leadership Programme designed for senior practitioners, monitoring & evaluation units, field staff, and heads of agencies working in peacebuilding and peace support operations. The programme has been designed to assist organisations, agencies and missions in the field to see how to develop appropriate monitoring & evaluation systems and processes customized for their exact needs and contexts, and to be able to evaluate and design for achieving actual impact through their programmes.

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Syria’s government has agreed to accept the peace plan put forward by the United Nations and Arab League envoy, Kofi Annan, his spokesman has said.

Mr Annan said he considered it “an important initial step that could bring an end to the violence and the bloodshed”, but implementation was key.

The opposition has dismissed Mr Annan’s initiative, saying it will allow the government to continue its repression.

Mr Annan has written to the Syrian government urging it to put its commitments into immediate effect.

His spokesman said there was hope that this will create the right environment for a political dialogue to fulfil the aspirations of the Syrian people.

Mr Annan also thanked countries that have supported his attempts to mediate in the conflict.

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Militants in Afghanistan have launched an attack on a government delegation visiting the site where a US soldier killed 16 civilians.

Two of Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s brothers and several top security officials were in the delegation in Panjwai in Kandahar province.

One Afghan soldier and three militants were killed, police said, and the delegation is heading back to Kandahar.

The US soldier said to have carried out Sunday’s attacks is under arrest. The unnamed 38-year-old staff sergeant is being held at an undisclosed location.

A senior Afghan official confirmed to the BBC that an attack “from several directions” had taken place on the delegation, which was there to meet villagers and tribal elders. Afghan forces returned fire and officials reported a 10-minute gun battle during which Taliban fighters fired from a distance at a mosque where the delegation and civilians were taking part in a prayer service.

One of Mr Karzai’s brothers, Qayum, told the Associated Press news agency it appeared initially that the attack was not serious and the delegation “assumed that it was the national army that started to fire in the air”.

He said the delegation, which included Kandahar’s governor and the minister of border and tribal affairs, was safe and returning to Kandahar city. A member of the delegation, Abdul Rahim Ayubi, told AP the governor was trying to explain to locals that the shooting was an isolated incident.

“But the people were just shouting and they were very angry. They didn’t listen to the governor. They accused him of defending the Americans instead of defending the Kandahari people,” Mr Ayubi said.

Anti-US sentiment is already high in Afghanistan after soldiers burned some copies of the Koran at a Nato base in Kabul last month, sparking deadly riots across the country.

On Tuesday morning, some 600 students took part in a rally in the eastern city of Jalalabad, condemning the Kandahar attack and chanting “Death to America! Death to Obama!”.

US President Barack Obama said the shooting was “absolutely heartbreaking and tragic”.

But he said international forces must be withdrawn from Afghanistan in a responsible way, and would not “rush for the exits”. He said the international forces had to make sure Afghans could secure their borders and stop al-Qaeda from getting back into the country. US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said the soldier in question could face the death penalty, if found guilty.

The Taliban has renewed threats of revenge attacks, saying it would behead “sadistic” American soldiers.

Details about Sunday’s shootings are still unclear, but the American soldier left his base in Kandahar in the early hours and went on a rampage in nearby villages.

Locals told reporters how they cowered in fear as the man made his way from door to door, trying to get into their houses.

Pentagon officials said they would not release his name while the investigation was going on. Reports said the soldier, who has three children, had been deployed to Afghanistan in December for his first tour of duty there after serving three times in Iraq.

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Conflict-Sensitive Approaches to Development, Humanitarian Assistance and Peacebuilding: Resource Pack

Conflict-Sensitive Approaches to Development, Humanitarian Assistance and Peacebuilding: A Resource Pack is the product of a two-year process by a consortium of partner organisations. The goal was to identify, synthesise, complement and enable conflict-sensitive practice in the fields of development, humanitarian assistance and peacebuilding. This was undertaken primarily in Kenya, Uganda and Sri Lanka but also at the global policy level. The focus of the initiative was donors, governments, INGOs and local civil society organisations.

This Resource Pack documents current practice, available frameworks and lessons learned. At its heart is the concept of conflict sensitivity – the notion of systematically taking into account both the positive and negative impact of interventions, in terms of conflict or peace dynamics, on the contexts in which they are undertaken, and, conversely, the impact of these contexts on the interventions.

The Resource Pack is organised in separate stand-alone units and does not need to be read from “cover to cover”. You can download the full Resource Pack or, alternatively, you may browse the pack, chapter by chapter.

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A campaign by US activists to capture alleged Ugandan war criminal Joseph Kony has gone viral on the web.

Invisible Children’s half-hour film on the use of child soldiers by Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army has been viewed nearly 10 million times on YouTube.

The group aims to bring Kony to justice at the International Criminal Court, where he is charged with crimes against humanity.

The hashtags #stopkony and #kony2012 were among top trending topics on Twitter on Wednesday as the campaign took off.

A number of celebrities, including P Diddy and Rihanna, tweeted links to the video.

Kony’s forces are accused of atrocities in four African countries: Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic and South Sudan.

US President Barack Obama in October 2011 announced he was sending 100 special forces soldiers to Uganda to help track down Kony.

However, Invisible Children was accused of spending most of its raised funds on salaries, travel expenses and film-making.

Bloggers also pointed out that NGO watchdog Charity Navigator had given the group only two out of four stars for financial accountability.

And an article in Foreign Affairs which accused Invisible Children and other non-profits of having “manipulated facts for strategic purposes” was circulated on the web.

Invisible Children posted a blog to answer the criticism. Jedediah Jenkins, of Invisible Children, told the Washington Post that criticism of the group was “myopic”.

Joseph Kony and his close aides have been wanted by the ICC in The Hague since 2005. Their campaign of terror began in northern Uganda more than 20 years ago when they said they were fighting for a biblical state and the rights of the Acholi people.

The LRA is listed by the US as a terrorist organisation and now operates mainly in neighbouring countries.

The group is notorious for kidnapping children, forcing the boys to become fighters and using girls as sex slaves.

Kony refused to sign a peace deal with the Ugandan government in 2008 when it could not guarantee the withdrawal of the ICC arrest warrants.

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Israel says it has allowed the export of goods from Gaza to the West Bank for the first time in five years.

The military has authorised the transfer of at least 13 lorry loads of date bars in the next few days.

However it stressed this was a “one-off pilot project” and did not mean an end to the ban on exports from Gaza to markets in Israel and the West Bank, which was imposed in June 2007.

Israel first imposed a blockade on Gaza in June 2006 after Palestinian militants captured one of its soldiers, Gilad Shalit, in a cross-border raid.

It was tightened a year later after the Islamist group, Hamas, took over the Palestinian territory by force.

“After looking at all the security considerations we decided to authorise this specific project. It’s not a new policy regarding exports from Gaza to the West Bank,” said Guy Inbar, a spokesman for COGAT, the Israeli military division responsible for coordinating access to and from Gaza.

“It’s a gesture after a request from the World Food Programme and the Palestinian Authority. We will be monitoring to see what happens.”

The first lorries carrying the snack bars left Gaza and took them to the West Bank via Israel on Monday.

Gisha, which campaigns for Palestinian freedom of movement and trade, said it expected a total of 19 lorry loads to transfer the goods.

“This is an important step toward fulfilling the Israeli government’s commitment to allow economic development for Palestinians living in Gaza,” said Gisha’s director, Sari Bashi.

“If marketing goods to the West Bank can be approved once, why can’t it be allowed on a routine basis?”

Before mid-2007, 85% of Gaza’s exports were being sold to Israel and the West Bank. Analysts say the trade ban has contributed to the collapse of its economy.

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Fourteen years after the Good Friday Agreement, Northern Ireland remains “a very divided society,” a new report suggests.

Peace walls have increased from 22 when the agreement was signed, to a current total of 48 walls, according to the NI Peace Monitoring Report.

The policing deal is not secure with a greater drop-out rate for Catholic officers, it says.

However, against that, paramilitarism remains an active threat and Northern Ireland society is still very divided in terms of schools and housing, it says.

The report, published by the Community Relations Council, said no solution for dealing with Northern Ireland’s troubled past had been found.

“The opportunity for reasoned discussion about how the past should be handled was lost in the furore surrounding the 2009 report of the Consultative Group on the past, largely because of a clause which suggested a one-off payment to all families who had lost someone in the Troubles regardless of whether that person was seen as a victim or a perpetrator,” the report concludes.

“This issue, more than any other, continues to confound the sense that Northern Ireland has left the Troubles behind.”

Dr Paul Nolan, the report’s author, said violence had declined but had not gone away. “There is increased cooperation at the political level but there is also an increase in the number of interface barriers.

“We have seen interesting experiments in shared housing and shared education but 92.5% of school enrolments are still in schools that are perceived to be for one community only and 90% of social housing is for single identity communities,” he said.

“At times, Northern Ireland seems to be moving forward; at other times it seems in danger of lurching back into the past.”

Dr Nolan asked whether this period of peace might turn out to be “only a generational truce”.

The Northern Ireland Peace Monitoring Report, independently funded and supported by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, has been published by the Community Relations Council.

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The Transcend Peace University TPU is an all-online university, currently headed by Prof. Dr. Johan Galtung. Their inter-disciplinary courses are designed to cover issues pertaining to peace and development studies. TPU seeks to promote trans-border, inter-disciplinary peace studies, and make them accessible to as wide a community as possible. For this, they have opted for an online format. Recently, corresponding tutorials and courses on-site can be attended at the associated Galtung-Institut in Germany (www.galtung-institut.de)

All of the programmes are 12-week all online courses designed for fully-employed participants and students who want to broaden their expertise additionally to their professional work combining autonomous work, exchange with participants from all over the world and constant feedback from highly experienced course instructors.

Fees: €250 for participants from non-OECD countries
€500 for participants from OECD-countries

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Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai is in Pakistan for talks expected to focus on attempts to bring the Taliban into the peace process.

Mr Karzai is likely to tackle claims that Pakistani military personnel continue to support the insurgency.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is due to join the meeting later for talks focusing on trade issues.

Earlier, the Afghan leader told the Wall Street Journal that he had already started discussions with the Taliban.

“There have been contacts between the US government and the Taliban, there have been contacts between the Afghan government and the Taliban,” he said in an interview published on Thursday.

“And there have been some contacts that we have made, all of us together, including the Taliban.”

The US, Afghanistan and the Taliban have been involved in a tentative process to explore the possibility of peace talks, which were likely to be hosted by Qatar.

The paper reported that Mr Karzai refused to go into details about the talks. It is unclear whether his comments suggest that contacts have gone further than previously reported.

The Afghan leader arrived in Islamabad earlier and held talks with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

Analysts say Mr Karzai may seek access to Taliban leaders believed to be in Pakistan.

The Afghan leader has good relations with Pakistan’s civilian politicians, but ties have often been tense with the military, whom he accuses of backing the Taliban.

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After 3 highly successful years of organising awareness campaigns locally in Northern Ireland for the UN International Day of Peace on 21st September and encouraging all citizens to reflect and mark their support for ceasefire and non-violence in the rest of the world the Peace Day Campaign has finally entered the world of social networking, you can now find them on

With the campaign picking up speed for this years events a new website design will also be rolled out shortly but you can still sign up to the campaign and visit the current website at www.peacedaycampaign.com.

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The International Peace and Development Training Center are offering two exciting training programmes due to start in June 2011. For further information or to apply now please follow the links below or visit their website at www.patrir.ro/training.

The European Social Network is organising the 19th European Social Services Conference in Warsaw from 6-8 July in partnership with the Polish Presidency of the EU. This year’s theme is "Building an Active and Caring Society: Innovation, Participation, Community".

The European Year of Volunteering 2011 is a challenging time for all those involved in social services with the continuing economic and social challenge to public finances. This has contributed to a debate about its role in empowering and caring for individuals and neighbourhoods with a renewed interest in innovation, active citizenship and improving service effectiveness.

In this rapidly changing environment, this conference provides learning and networking across a wide range of areas, from children and families to long term care of older people, from integration of migrants to resource management, from mental health to employment.

Over 400 colleagues from 30 countries will participate. More information about this event is available on the conference website.

Every year, hundreds of peace-oriented organizations worldwide celebrate the International Day of Peace on the 21st September with thousands of Peace Day events. Aiki Peace Week believe that Aikido practitioners around the world, inspired by the unique embodied peacemaking legacy of O’Sensei Morihei Ueshiba, will want to be part of the global celebration.

This represents an opportunity to increase public awareness of Aikido as a joyful practice of reconciliation, compassion, and nonviolence. They also believe this celebration transcends the divisions of different schools, styles, and organizations, and that our collective action will make each of our efforts far more newsworthy than they would be in isolation.

Aiki Extensions (an international nonprofit organization dedicated to the application of Aiki principles in situations outside the dojo) is organizing International Aiki Peace Week and would like you to join them. All you have to do is sign up, and commit to teaching peace-focused Aikido classes during the week of Sept 20-26. Dojos will be encouraged, but not required, to offer a class for the general public that teaches Aiki principles as a way of managing conflict and preventing violence.

The Sydney Peace festival is held to coincide with the International Day of Peace (September 21) each year organised by Ministry of Peace Australia (MFPA).

MFPA believe that through appropriate and free public events we can demonstrate the complete unity of life and convey the necessity for right human relationships to prevail in all interactions within our multi-national community and nation. They have and do intend to work with our governments and institutions in a spirit of helpfulness so that the example is set that there are no them and us in any facet of our citizen’s lives, believing that bridges need to be built between civil society and government and between civil society and corporations. By including all and excluding none they will demonstrate the unity in diversity that is humankind.

Beyond Skin in partnership with the Unite Against Hate and Belfast Metropolitan College Students Union have developed the first ever YOUnite week as part of the Belfast East creative legacies programme. YOUnite will feature a week of activities using art, music and multimedia focused in East Belfast running up to the International day of Peace on the 21st September.

Israeli troops have begun demolishing a concrete wall erected nine years ago to protect the Jewish settlement of Gilo on the southern outskirts of Jerusalem.

The settlement, which Israel regards as a neighbourhood of Jerusalem, came under fire from the Palestinian village of Beit Jala in 2000.

An Israeli military spokesman said the wall was no longer needed because security had improved. The wall was a precursor to the barrier built along the West Bank.

Israel says the barrier is necessary to stop suicide attacks, but rights groups have complained that it has made life for Palestinians very difficult.

The settlement lies across a narrow valley from Beit Jala, and so became a target for Palestinian militants during the second Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation in 2000.

The Israelis built the 3m-high (10ft) concrete wall to protect the settlement, but Israeli officials say security is no longer a problem.

Engineers will now spend two weeks taking the wall down. "This is the first time that we have moved such a structure from a neighbourhood that was directly hit by sniper fire and shells," said military spokeswoman Lt Col Avital Liebovich.

Representatives of the British and Irish governments have attended a service in Omagh to mark the 12th anniversary of the Omagh bomb atrocity.

Twnty-nine people, including a woman expecting twins, were murdered by the Real IRA in August 1998.

An interdenominational service was held, with music, poetry and prayer readings on Sunday.

There were readings in various languages including Spanish, to remember two victims from that country.

The participants expressed their sympathies with the many victims of terrorist violence at home and internationally.

Northern Ireland Office Minister Hugo Swire and Irish Minister of State for Overseas Development Peter Power joined the remembrance ceremony at the Omagh memorial garden.

The General Assembly yesterday held a day-long debate on disarmament with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon calling on the world to reverse its spending on weapons as compared with development.

“The world is over-armed, and development is under-funded,” he told the 192-member Assembly at the start of the thematic debate on disarmament and world security, and both the role of the United Nations and challenges for the international community. “Spending on weapons worldwide is now well above $1 trillion a year – and rising.

“These priorities should be reversed. By accelerating disarmament, we can liberate the resources we need to combat climate change, address food insecurity and achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs),” he added, referring to the ambitious targets set by the UN Summit of 2000 to slash a host of social ills by 2015, including extreme hunger and poverty, maternal and infant mortality and lack of access to education and health care.

Mr. Ban cited several encouraging trends, including last week’s Washington summit on nuclear security and the signing earlier this month by Russia and the United States of a nuclear weapons reduction treaty, stressing “now is the moment to build on that momentum.”

Global Youth Service Day is an annual campaign that celebrates and mobilizes the millions of children and youth who improve their communities each day of the year through service and service-learning.

Established in 1988, GYSD is the largest service event in the world and is now celebrated in over 100 countries. On GYSD, children and youth address the world’s most critical issues in partnership with families, schools, community and faith-based organizations, businesses, and governments.

People Building Peace a project of the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) have developed a toolkit which aims to assist anyone who wishes to start a campaign or organize an activity around issues of peace and conflict.

It was designed in particular for members of the GPPAC, and focuses on awareness raising activities surrounding the UN International Day of Peace. However, large parts of it will also be useful for other civil society organizations and other campaigns and activities in this field.

It includes campaign basics, facts and figures you can use in your campaign, strategies you can employ in order for your campaign to be successful, and ideas for taking action such as public events you could organize and ways to engage the media. Finally, it lists a number of other sources that could be helpful to you in raising awareness on conflict prevention and peacebuilding.

More and more survivors of Haiti’s earthquake are receiving vital assistance but it is clear that not everyone in need has yet been reached and much more remains to be done, particularly in terms of emergency shelter and sanitation, a top United Nations official said today.

“The humanitarian situation in Haiti is undoubtedly improving day by day. But we are under no illusion about the scale of the challenges still ahead for the next weeks and months,” Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes told the Security Council.

Around 3 million people – one in every three Haitians – were badly affected by the 12 January quake, the majority of them in the capital, Port-au-Prince, but also in other surrounding towns and cities.

Mr. Holmes, who visited Haiti and the Dominican Republic last week, reported that the worst of the medical emergency has passed; around 3 million people have received food rations; clean water is available for the vast majority of those in need; and every day more and more relief supplies are reaching the country and being distributed.

He added that the provision of shelter and sanitation is the top priority, with an estimated 1.2 million Haitians in need of emergency shelter support.

“There are no instant solutions. It will take time to cover all these needs, and care to maintain help to the most vulnerable without creating dangerous aid dependency,” stated Mr. Holmes, who is also UN Emergency Relief Coordinator.

“But we must not waver in helping several million people not only survive this catastrophe, but also rebuild their livelihoods and lives in a new and better way.”

A joint mission of United Nations and African officials have met with those responsible for last week’s coup d’état in Niger as they visited the capital, Niamey, to assess the situation on the ground.

Participating in yesterday’s visit were the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa, Said Djinnit, as well as representatives of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU).

“The mission met with the junta leaders who reaffirmed their commitment to organize elections and return the country to constitutional order,” UN spokesperson Martin Nesirky told reporters in New York.

He added that the UN is working closely with its partners, including ECOWAS and the AU, as part of its joint efforts to help resolve the crisis in the country which began when renegade soldiers reportedly stormed the presidential palace on Thursday with the stated aim of returning Niger to democracy.

On Friday, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the coup and appealed for “calm and for the respect of the rule of law and of the human rights of all Nigeriens.” In addition, he stressed the UN stands ready to support initiatives aimed at peacefully resolving Niger’s political and constitutional crisis.

Police were left with just minutes to clear the area around Newry courthouse before a car bomb weighing up to 250lbs exploded on Monday night.

No-one was killed or injured in the blast which was heard two miles away. But police said that was a "sheer miracle".

Dissident republicans are being blamed for the attack in which a number of buildings were damaged.

"We could have been looking today at multiple deaths," Police Chief Superintendent Alisdair Robinson said. People were still being moved to safety at the time of the explosion. He said the blast happened just 17 minutes after a telephone warning which said that it would go off in half an hour.

The attack is thought to be the first time a large car bomb has exploded in Northern Ireland since the bombing of Stewartstown police station in 2000.

Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward said: "This is an appalling attack by a very small group of people who refuse to accept that peace is working in Northern Ireland." Police had been bracing themselves for some sort of response to the Hillsborough Agreement, signed just over two weeks ago, which had focused on the devolution of Policing and Justice powers to the Northern Ireland Executive.

Pre-registration now open for the UN Youth Assembly

The 7th Annual Youth Assembly at the United Nations (YA) will take place at the UN headquarters in New York, August 4 – 6, 2010.

The Youth Assembly gathers youth leaders (16 - 24 years old) from around the world and involves them in the achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Discounted, pre-registration is open, online at: www.faf.org delegates are urged to register at a discount and ensure their place at the event.

The Youth Assembly empowers young people through lectures, workshops, campaign presentations, and other special events. Delegates learn ways to identify viable approaches to MDG success – the corner stone of the UNs better world approach to improving the lives of millions of people across the globe. Attendees receive practical help on how to start NGOs and how to administer or manage campaigns.

They develop networks that identify existing work by governments, the UN, or civil society at home or abroad, and the implications for social entrepreneurship on MDG success.

A general information flyer can be downloaded here and further information of the leadership Seminars can be downloaded here. For more information please visit the Friendship Ambassadors Foundation at this link.

Summer Peacebuilding Programme

Conflict Transformation Across Cultures-CONTACT invites applications for the 2010-2011 Programs. The CONTACT Program is an intense professional development course as well as a celebration of life, a nurturing learning environment, and an experiment in international living and personal transformation.

Now in its 13th year, CONTACT, takes place every June on the peaceful and green rural campus of the SIT Graduate Institute in Vermont, USA. An optional distance learning certificate program follows the summer experience.

CONTACT has trained peacebuilders from more than 60 countries around the world. The program engages participants in a powerful process of study, self-reflection, community building, and collaborative problem solving within a multicultural learning environment.

CONTACT offers a three-week Peacebuilding Program consisting of a two-week core course and a third week elective. CONTACT also offers a distance learning Graduate certificate in Conflict Transformation program for approximately one third of the participants each year. This consists of online courses, a field-based internship, and a mid-year face-to-face seminar in a post-conflict country, currently Rwanda.

CONTACT faculty bring their rich experiences and diverse backgrounds to the classroom, using creative teaching methods to share their insights and skills. Faculty and students meet in classes and informal settings, forging enduring relationships for the shared task of building peace and promoting justice around the world.

To find out more about these please building programmes you can visit the SIT Graduate website here.

IPDTC Spring Peace Academy 2010

IPDTC is launching its 2010 Spring Peace Academy (SPA) with a range of programmes addressing core and expert skills and knowledge training for policy makers and practitioners working in peacebuilding, conflict transformation, development work, humanitarian aid, gender, governance and related areas.

Established in 2003 the International Peace and Development Training Centre specializes in providing advanced and expert training programs for governments, UN staff, policy makers, conflict parties and leadership, field workers, local and national organisations, and staff of international agencies.

For more information on course content, fees and application procedure, please see attachment or visit the IPDTC website here or email training@patrir.ro

Building upon the success of last years concert to raise awareness for the UN International Day of Peace, the Peace Day Campaign concert this year will be held in Belfast’s Ulster Hall with the highly talented headline act Brian Kennedy.

With 'a voice to charm the angels' Brian will be live on stage to perform old favourites and tracks from his latest album Interpretations. Described as 'the ultimate live performer' Brian always provides his audiences with a night to remember, in his own words 'performing live is what it is all about'.

To get tickets to this special concert to raise awareness of the UN International Day of Peace please contact the Ulster Hall Ticket Office on 028 90 334455 or at their website here.

Springboard Opportunities Limited - Peace Day Campaign

Sign up to the Peace Day Campaign and have the chance of winning two tickets for the Peace Day Concert headlining Brian Kennedy on 21 September at the Ulster Hall. All new entries made during the month of August will be placed in a draw. The lucky winner will be notified on 1st September 2009. Please note it is one entry per person and multiple entries will not be counted. Good luck!

The UK Department for International Development offers a methodology for analyzing conflict, assessing conflict related risks associated with development or humanitarian assistance, and developing options for more conflict sensitive policies and programs.

A methodology is presented for conflict assessment at the country or regional level, termed ‘Strategic Conflict Assessment’. It is based on DFID’s experience in conducting Strategic Conflict Assessments in seven countries.

Does education have a role in the reconciliation process? How can educators work together to help successive generations of children and young people understand the nature and causes of the conflict here? Are children and young people actually interested in learning about the past or in shaping a shared future? And what lessons can be learned from the experiences of children and young people in other post-conflict contexts, for example post-war Bosnia and Herzegovina?

These are some of the questions addressed in the final research report of an EU PEACE II-funded project, “Education and Reconciliation: The Perspectives of Children and Young People in Northern Ireland and Bosnia & Herzegovina”. The overall purpose of this project was to consult with children, young people and educators in three European regions that have experienced conflict (namely Northern Ireland and Bosnia and Herzegovina) to gain deeper insight into their experience and understanding of conflict, its legacies in their region and the implications for the role of education in promoting the concept of reconciliation with different age groups.

Caritas, a global movement working in solidarity for a fairer world, inspired by the example of Christian faith and Catholic Social Teaching have produced a web based resource kit for peacebuilding training and learning. Caritas has developed a site which includes resources on specific topics and other tools for learning design and facilitation.

The resource kits for peacebuilders have been developed for trainers, facilitators, learning designers and other practitioners engaged in peace building. In addition, all aid workers engaged in contexts of conflict might find these resources useful.

The site is still a work in progress, growing with time and at present there are resource kits for Negotiation, Nonviolence and Making Aid Build Peace.

US President Barack Obama has offered "a new beginning" of engagement with Tehran in an unprecedented direct video message to the Iranian people.

"My administration is now committed to diplomacy that addresses the full range of issues before us," Mr Obama said.

'For nearly three decades relations between our nations have been strained,' Obama said in his video message.

The message was released to coincide with the festival of Nowruz, when Iranians mark the arrival of Spring 'At this holiday we are reminded of the common humanity that binds us together.'

It was distributed to news outlets in Iran with subtitles in Farsi and is available to view on the White House’s official website here.

Thousands of people have attended a series of rallies in Northern Ireland to show their anger at the murders of two soldiers and a policeman.

Silent protests took place in Belfast, Lisburn, Newry, Downpatrick and Londonderry.

Speaking in Belfast, Eugene McGlone of the Unite union, which helped organise the rallies, described the turnout as "very heartening".

"There were I suppose some apprehensions on the part of some of our people as to whether or not we would get a crowd out at such short notice."

Conservative MP Sir Patrick Cormack, Chairman of the Northern Ireland Affairs committee, said the demonstration at Westminster showed "our resolve to stand with the people against violence".

"We have been deeply moved by what has happened this week, but we were totally revolted by the appalling murders, but out of that tragedy a new strength has come," he said.

Get Ready for International Women's Day 2009

Each year around the world, International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on 8th March. Hundreds of events occur, not just on this day but also throughout March to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women.

Organisations, governments and women's groups around the world choose different themes each year that reflect global and local gender issues. Some years have seen global IWD themes honoured around the world, while in other years groups have preferred to 'localise' their own themes to make them more specific and relevant.

To find out more about the day or see if there is an event being held in your locality please click here.

New Resources Communication, use of the media and peacebuilding – Resource and training kit

Peacepages.com, a collaborative learning platform for peacebuilders has an exciting new resource kit that looks at the topic “Communications, Media and Peacebuilding”. This is targeted at organizations that engage in peacebuilding and want to use their communications work to enhance these efforts.

Learning designers, trainers and facilitators are the target audience for this resource kit: those engaging in learning processes with organizations – be they local or international – to enhance their capacity to use their communications work, including the media, for peacebuilding efforts.

Northern Ireland Points Path to Basque Peace

Northern Ireland’s path to peace could be the route to ending conflict in the Basque country, said the democratic leader of more than two million Basques in a major address at the University of Ulster’s Magee campus.

Juan José Ibarretxe Markuartu, the President of the Basque Government, said disavowal of violence and inclusive talks – the basis of the peace process here - must be the first step to resolving the long-running dispute about Spanish sovereignty over its Basque population.

Delivering the Tip O’Neill Peace Lecture, he said inclusive talks and respect for a democratic mandate must replace a failed formula of back-door contacts between the Spanish Government and ETA extremists who have been waging a 40-year war for Basque independence.

“ETA and the Spanish government can not decide the future of the Basque people in secret meetings. This future will only be freely decided by the men and women of our country through peaceful and democratic means,” he asserted.

iiav.nl have reported on a resource and training manual specifically and uniquely designed for women peacebuilders. It covers traditional peacebuilding topics, but with a particular focus on how being female impacts peacebuilding. The manual was designed for women who want to help themselves or other women become more involved in peacebuilding. The exercises and content are written both for beginners and community-level women as well as more advanced peacebuilding trainers. To learn more, or to download the manual visit here.

The Consultative Group on the Past have spent the last 18 months seeking the views across the community in Northern Ireland on the best way to deal with the legacy of the past. Co-chaired by Lord Robin Eames, a former head of the Church of Ireland and Denis Bradley, a former Catholic priest, the group has now produced their contentious report containing recommendations on ways to support Northern Ireland society in the building of a shared future. They believe the Government should give a recognition payment of £12000 to the families of every victim of the Troubles. The report contends, payments which could cost £40 million, will bring to an end the ‘hierarchy of victims’ and show that the pain of all those bereaved is equal. The full report can be viewed or downloaded here.

John Holmes the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, who is in Gaza, has praised the determination of those working to address the immediate needs of the people in the wake of the recent violence.

There are over 120 trucks of humanitarian supplies going into Gaza each day although border crossings are not guaranteed to be open, the UNRWA reports that many people on all sides had offered workable solutions to get the crossings operational notwithstanding the political complexities.

A press conference transcript on the Gaza humanitarian situation from the United Nations can be viewed here.

Over 800 peacebuilders and organisations involved in peacebuilding across the world have now joined the Global Peacebuilders online database, and are seizing the opportunity to increase their online profile, share news about their work, locate partners for collaborative projects and network for peace. This new year, if you or your colleagues are not yet registered within the database, we encourage you to take this opportunity to list your peacebuilding work and join the Global Peacebuilders online community. Click here to go straight to the registration page now.

2009 is going to be an exciting year for people and organisations involved in peacebuilding. A number of important events and activities are taking place throughout the year, and these represent useful tools as you think about how to engage your communities and public authorities in peacebuilding. 2009, for example, will see rotating European Union presidencies for the Czech Republic and Sweden. As you start building your 2009 programme of work, gauging priorities, coordinating events and planning strategy for the year ahead, you can also take a look at some of the official days and weeks - including the International Day of Peace on 21st September - designated as official days of remembrance and celebration for causes relating to peacebuilding. The full list is online here.

2009 also marks the International Year of Reconciliation. The year has been officially designated by the United Nations as a way to encourage those estranged by conflicts to confront today’s challenges and address a new process to heal relationships and uphold justice for the future. Reconciliation processes are urgent in countries and regions of the world which have suffered or are suffering situations of conflict, and which have been affected and divided internally, nationally and internationally. We invite you to celebrate and promote this International Year of Reconciliation across all levels of society: promoting it in your materials and news releases; reaching out to family and friends; engaging in dialogue and in building good relations in the groups, neighbourhoods, communities and societies you are working in.

On 10 December 2008 – International Human Rights Day – the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission submitted its advice to the UK Government on a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. As part of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement 1998, the NI Human Rights Commission was tasked with considering the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland and recommending advice in line with international human rights. The report is online here. A number of other key peacebuilding reports have been released recently, raising issues, themes and work that will resonate across 2009, including a new volume by Gareth Evans – of the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty – entitled Responsibility to Protect: Ending Mass Atrocity Crimes Once and for All. Also released was the Sierra Leone Peacebuilding Cooperation Framework: Review of Progress, available here, as well as the first study into how decades of conflict involving the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and other armed groups has affected Sudanese communities living along the Sudan-Uganda border. The study is available here.

The latest Global Peacebuilders ezine looks at Springboard's free music festival in Belfast to mark the International Day of Peace on 21st September, and describes just some of the free resources available to peacebuilders around the world on the Global Peacebuilders website.

Springboard announces free music festival for all, to celebrate the International Day of Peace 21st September 2008

Springboard is holding the first local Peace Day Concert to raise awareness of the International Day of Peace on 21 September 2008. Springboard wants to create a talking point about this international day of ceasefire and non-violence, and this music festival is for the whole community.

The event runs from 1.00pm to 7.00pm at the Oh Yeah Music Centre, Cathedral Quarter, Gordon Street, Belfast. It will be a fun day for the whole family and music lovers of all ages. Bands signed to date include: Olympic Lifts, The Rusty Shacklefords, Skruff, Driving by Night and more. There will be activities, games and entertainment throughout the day.

Centre for Peace Studies introduces Sri Lanka's first Tamil-language Diploma in Peace and Conflict Studies

The Centre for Peace Studies has been at the forefront of developing new ideas about Conflict Resolution, Mediation, Peace keeping, Human Security and Peace Building. The Conflict Studies Program offers a professional development opportunity for professionals in fields related to Conflict resolution and peace building.The broad overall aim of the Diploma in Peace and Conflict Studies fulfills the Center’s mission of making knowledge work. It provides a strong foundation in issues and problematic of conflict management, humanitarian intervention and peace building within a peace Studies perspective

Latest Global Peacebuilders ezine released on International Youth Day 12 August 2008

What are you doing to celebrate International Youth Day 2008? Global Peacebuilders has published its latest ezine newsletter, with background, editorial and updates on youth activities for peacebuilding across the world.

Springboard has launched a new online form, allowing you to sign your name to the Peace Day Campaign in just seconds. By joining the campaign, you will send a message of the journey we are making on a local level towards peace, and you will help show your support for observance of the International Day of Peace at the NI Assembly.

The July 2008 issue of the Transitional Justice Monitor is now available online, and reflects on "What we've learned from working together at the intersection of transitional justice and coexistence". The Monitor is published by the West Africa Network for Transitional Justice (WANT-Justice) with critical support from Coexistence International (CI). To view the Transitional Justice Monitor online now, visit:

Oxford Transitional Justice Research Group launches online debate on justice in Darfur

The Oxford Transitional Justice Research Group is exploring a wide range of issues as the International Criminal Court considers whether to indict Sudanese President Omar al Bashir on charges of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Darfur. To view the Group's working paper series or take part in the debate, visit:

Between 21 and 23 2008, this year's conference in Nigeria, Niger Delta Region is designed to create a platform for other young Africans in the continent to appeal to the youths of the region to shun violence and embrace peace as the only tool for meaningful development. While on the other hand calling on government to renew their commitment to youth development, the MDGs and to ensure good governance as well as tackle corruption effectively.

Encouraged by the outcome, success and impact of the 1st and 2nd editions of the Conference, the 3rd Edition is poised to give meaningful expression to the recognition of youth as a development asset and deepen strategies at national levels for translating the potential of youths into practical benefits for Africa’s democratic, peaceful and rights-based development, in line with the objectives of the African Union Youth Charter and Internationally agreed development goals including MDGs. For more information, or to register to attend, contact:

Events on International Day of Peace: "Europe's Role in the Resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict" - A meeting for Palestinian, Israeli and European Peacebuilding Organisations, Tuscany, Italy, 19-21 September 2008

For the second consecutive year, this annual summit will bring together members of the Palestinian-Israeli Peace NGO Forum – a network of some 100 Palestinian and Israeli peace organizations working to promote peace through dialogue and cooperation – along with European NGO representatives, government officials and civil society experts from conflict regions across the globe. The summit will offer a unique opportunity to explore significant, contemporary issues within the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as well as to exchange information and learn from one another’s experiences and expertise.

Global Peacebuilders database member releases paper on women and post-conflict reconstruction

To view and download the paper Women and Post Conflict Reconstruction by Olive Branch Konsult, click here.

The Jakarta Post.com has reported how some of the world's key Heads of State and Heads of Government will come together for a 3-day summit beginning tomorrow to find solutions and address different aspects of religious violence at a national and international level.

The 3-day World Peace Forum takes starts on Tuesday 24 June 2008 in Jakarta, Indonesia, and will see leaders such as New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark and Dutch Prime Minister Jan Balkenende address the 200-strong delegates made up of religious leaders, political and private sector actors from across the world. To learn more, visit:

Northern Ireland Minister for Social Development Launches Global Peacebuilders Catalogue of Approaches to Peacebuilding

On 10 June 2008, the Global Peacebuilders Catalogue of Approaches to Peacebuilding was launched at Stormont by Northern Ireland Minister for Social Development Margaret Ritchie MLA. The Catalogue features eighteen approaches to resolving conflict, with entries from countries including Colombia, Israel and Sri Lanka as well as four entries from Northern Ireland. To view and download the English, French, Portuguese or Spanish versions of the Catalogue now, click here. To view and download the official press release and press photo, click here.

Speaking in her Foreword to the Catalogue, Minister Ritchie said: “I welcome the publication of this Peacebuilding Approaches Catalogue as the latest initiative in the Global Peacebuilders project. This document highlights practice in both a local and international dimension and will provide a valuable resource for those involved in conflict resolution. Building meaningful capacity and developing community infrastructure remains an essential element of our work in disadvantaged communities. The positive examples in this publication reflect the real need for this work and I would commend Springboard for bringing these to the attention of a global audience.”

The Catalogue is available in four languages including English, French, Portuguese and Spanish, and has been produced as part of the www.globalpeacebuilders.org initiative by Belfast based organisation Springboard Opportunities.

Speaking at the launch Angila Chada, Executive Director of Springboard said: “Peace in itself is not transferable – there is no magic formula. However the approaches that individuals and groups adopt to tackle the underlying issues around conflict, certainly are transferable. This directory is for all those working at grass roots level, and provides ideas, perspectives and inspiration. In compiling this catalogue we were struck by how much other areas in conflict look to our peace process as an example of what can be achieved. We really are a beacon of hope, and those we talked to are hungry for the knowledge of what helped bring about peace in Northern Ireland.”

The Catalogue is part of the wider project which has built an online international network of conflict resolution, conflict transformation and peacebuilding organisations and initiatives. The initiative seeks to connect organisations, individual practitioners, researchers and other groups worldwide, and offers a solid platform for learning, exchange of innovative practice and development of international partnerships for reconciliation and peacebuilding.

*05/06/08 Please note: we can no longer process any further requests for bursaries to attend the conference. The bursary fund is now closed*

As the dust has settled on a busy week in Belfast, it is clear that the city has played host to a number of very special gatherings. As the US:NI Investment Conference considered future economic opportunities for Northern Ireland, a unique summit marking the anniversary of devolution brought together organisations and individuals with one common goal; peacebuilding.

Peacebuilders from across the world came to Belfast to share their perspectives, practice and experience of the challenges of peacebuilding at the Springboard-managed "Global Peacebuilders Conference," over the 6th and 7th of May. Clearly some of the international delegates brought more than just luggage and passports with them, as Belfast was treated some of the best weather it has seen for some time. Fortunately, this uncharacteristically good weather would not be squandered as many delegates were taken on an enlightening and thought provoking tour of the city's Falls and Shankill roads and heard presentations by groups from two sites of peacebuilding on the 6th.

The turnout at the summit at the Europa Hotel Belfast on the 7th was unprecedented, with delegates making the journey from across Belfast and the island as a whole, the UK, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and Pacific, and North America to attend and establish new partnerships for their peacebuilding work. As local MLAs were taking time to sell Northern Ireland as a real opportunity for business investment, peacebuilding delegates took part in a full day's programme at the Europa Hotel Belfast. This included keynote speeches, a Question Time-style panel, workshops and a high energy closing celebration led by The Motion Project - a multi-cultural music collective based in Northern Ireland.

First impressions of feedback on the summit have been very positive and hugely constructive for the future, and there are already a large number of excellent opportunities to develop and build on the comments given by delegates for any future peacebuilder gatherings.

To view the full programme of activities that took place between 6-7 May 2008 as part of the conference, as well as read about the various speakers, workshop facilitators and other contributors that took part, visit www.globalpeacebuilders.org/english/conference.html

All youth aged 18-26 are encouraged to register for the 5th Annual Youth Assembly at the United Nations (UN Headquarters, NYC) August 11-14, 2008. Registration is now open and available at: www.faf.org/hl_youthassembly.htm

The Youth Assembly at the United Nations, led by YA Secretary General Dr. Elaine Valdov, is a gathering of hundreds of young people from all around the world who seek future involvement with the United Nations, civil society, and ways to contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

Friendship Ambassadors Foundation Director Receives Royal Invitation to Participate in the Nobel Laureates Conference, Jordan, 16-19 June 2008

The gathering of Nobel Laureates and others will begin an effort to develop a super fund for education and youth empowerment initiatives throughout the world. Patrick Sciarratta, Director of the Friendship Ambassadors Foundation (FAF), will lead a team of youth at to the historic destination of Petra, Jordan to attend the conference, and to identify travel support for global youth leaders involved in gatherings similar to the annual Youth Assembly at the United Nations. Speaking of the planned trip, Mr Sciarratta said, "That is what FAF’s mission is all about – enabling people to get together across difficult cultural terrain and share meaningful experiences that help promote mutual understanding."

FAF is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt organisation, formally affiliated with the United Nations Department of Public Information and resident at the Greenwich Arts Council. The foundation is celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2008.

Did you know that in the last few years, the Member States of the United Nations voted to adopt an International Day of Peace each year on 21 September to promote peaceful resolutions of conflicts and cessation of hostilities.

This international day of ceasefire and nonviolence has been adopted by each of the Member States of the United Nations, and calls for a full day of peace and ceasefire throughout the world - yet many people are not aware of its existence and many conflicts continue to be waged.

On the 2007 International Day of Peace, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said that peace is the United Nations' "highest calling" - yet there is much work still to be done by each of our nations to promote the peaceful resolution of conflicts and cessation of hostilities for even one day each year.

Last year, Ban Ki-Moon made a specific call for a 24-hour cessation of hostilities and for a minute's silence to be observed around the world at noon local time. Springboard and Global Peacebuilders want to honour this call in Northern Ireland, an area emerging from decades of conflict and violence.

This year, on 8 May, will see the very first anniversary of the historic re-establishment of Northern Ireland's legislative Assembly and power-sharing Executive, marking the return of devolved government to Northern Ireland from the central government of the United Kingdom.

Springboard and Global Peacebuilders are about to launch a campaign to raise awareness and increase public and civic observance of the International Day of Peace in Northern Ireland. Specifically, the focus will be on working towards recognition and observance each year on 21 September within the Northern Ireland Assembly.

We are calling for Northern Ireland's people, politicians and parties to join us and register your support of our campaign, by emailing info@peacedaycampaign.com

To learn more about Springboard and Global Peacebuilders' campaign to mark the International Day of Peace in the Northern Ireland Assembly, visit http://www.peacedaycampaign.com/

Courting Conflict? Justice, Peace and the ICC in Africa, a new collection of essays edited by Nicholas Waddell and Phil Clark have been published this week by the Royal African Society. The collection can be accessed at:

Asiaing.com have reported on a guidebook written for radio broadcasters (adults and youth) who want to make good, entertaining youth radio programmes which also build peace. The tools described are meant for use by those working in radio, but they can also be used by youth workers and young leaders to design and implement their own radio initiatives.To learn more, or to download the guidebook, visit:

The nomination period for this year's Nobel Peace Prize closed at the end of February, and although the nominee list is kept secret by the Nobel Prize committee, nominating groups are free to make their nominations public. A number of online media sites have reported on this year's potential nominees, including france24.com which points out European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso, Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, ex-German chancellor Helmut Kohl and Esperanto as likely contenders. To learn more, France24.com

Know Your Rights - Did you know 2008 is the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?

Visit the UN's specialist website to raise awareness and share news about this year's celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at: http://www.knowyourrights2008.org/

In its Resolution 32/142 (1977), the United Nations General Assembly called for member countries to designate a day to recognise the role of women in strengthening international peace and security. The UN has commemorated International Women's Day on March 8 since 1975. For more information, visit: http://www.un.org/womenwatch/feature/iwd/

Forced Migration Online (FMO) operates a resource page outlining the prominent role women play in the forced migration context, who often make up a minimum 50% of any refugee population (this percentage rises among IDPs). Many forced migrants who happen to be women continue to be confronted by particular needs and protection challenges, such as gender-based persecution and violence, access to reproductive health services, personal safety and security. At the same time, the role women play in peacebuilding and reconstruction is increasingly recognised and supported by programmes that focus on empowerment, participation and leadership activities. To learn more about FMO and International Women's Day, visit:

Irish Aid Minister of State supports women in politics in developing countries

Michael Kitt TD, Minister for Overseas Development, Republic of Ireland, is to fund a Gender Equality in Politics programme, jointly funded by Irish Aid and the Canadian Development Agency (CIDA). To learn

The United Kingdom Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, and the Secretary of State for International

Development,Douglas Alexander, have expressed their concern about ongoing violence in

The Catholic Diocese of Westminster have announced a new multi-media resource to promote justice and peace in the London area. Entitled ‘No Hands But Ours’, the resource is designed to be used by parishes and groups wanting to promote action for change across London and Hertfordshire.

It has been produced by the Diocese of Westminster Justice and Peace Commission, the Diocese of London and the London Church Leaders Social Action Group as a way to encourage a 'spirit of confidence and power for change' in what the Diocese describes as the 'rich but unequal capital city and its environs.'

The resource is made up of an interactive CD, which includes specially filmed “beacons of hope”, stories of volunteers working at the grassroots on issues including homelessness, refugees, Fair Trade and peace, together with interviews with some of London’s church leaders. To learn more, visit Ekklesia at: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/6749

24/09/07
Shine a global spotlight on what you’re doing to build peace – profile your own peacebuilding activity now

Through our multilingual and fully-searchable database of individuals and organisations working around peacebuilding across the world, Global Peacebuilders offers you a fast, effective, and easy-to-use mechanism for spreading news on an international scale about your work on a local scale. You can search the database and locate new peacebuilders and new partners not just in the local area, but also across the world, saving you time and resources the next time you need to research potential collaborators for a joint programme or application. To search the database now, just click on the Search Database menu item now!

By profiling your own peacebuilding activity in the database, you can ensure that the next you want to locate a potential partner or subject expert on peacebuilding in a particular arena, your work or your organisation will be there for all to see. Your online profile within the database gives you the opportunity to draw attention to any areas of your work you are particularly keen to promote, and what’s more, you will get the chance to share that with an audience of Arabic, English, French, Portuguese and Spanish-speakers across the world! Without impacting on your marketing budgets, you can increase your visibility online, and promote your work for peace to a broad audience, across the language divide. To profile your peacebuilding activity now, just click on the Register menu item now!

21/09/07
Global Peacebuilders holds International Day of Peace celebration and launch event

On Friday 21 September 2007, the International Day of Peace, the Global Peacebuilders project website was officially launched to an audience of community, voluntary and public sector members. The launch event was an exciting occasion to discuss the Global Peacebuilders project and its mission to shine a spotlight local and international work for peace, as well as gain a unique “first look” demonstration of the project website, which offers local and international peacebuilders an opportunity to locate and build partnerships with other peacebuilders across the world through its fully-searchable multilingual database of peacebuilding organisations.

The event, which took place in the Europa Hotel, itself an important marker in the local context of conflict and the journey towards peace, focused on a keynote address from Danny Kennedy MLA, in his capacity as Chairperson of the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. Mr Kennedy spoke of the significance of the International Day of Peace for Northern Ireland and commended the work of Global Peacebuilders to create a place where peacebuilders large and small, formal and informal, community-based or government-led can shout from the rooftops their successes, lessons learned and key initiatives.

Guests at the launch event were also provided with positive statements on the occasion of the launch from the Minister for Social Development Margaret Ritchie MLA, the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, and the UN Department of Public Information and Spokesperson of the UN Secretary General.

Global Peacebuilders has now received positive comments and statements of support from the Minister for Social Development for Northern Ireland Margaret Ritchie MLA, the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, and the UN Department of Public Information and Spokesperson of the UN Secretary General. To read these statements now, just click on the Media menu item.

World Peace Day on 21 September is fast approaching. Did you know that in 2001 the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring that 21 September each year be designated as the International Day of Peace, and be devoted to the establishment of world peace. What are you planning to celebrate this day – you’ve got all summer to prepare!

The Global Peacebuilders website will be officially launched in September 2007, but already over 100 organisations and practitioners have agreed to join our database of peacebuilders worldwide. We will keep you updated as the number of people participating in the project increases – the more people join, the greater the benefits for all!

On 8 May 2007 Northern Ireland’s power-sharing government was formed, ending five years of direct rule and highlighting the first steps towards a sustainable peace. The return of devolved government will see DUP leader Ian Paisley and Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness take up their posts at First Minister and Deputy First Minister respectively.