Archive: April, 2010
From the field Sufis and Yogis rediscover traditions for peace
“If you listen to truth, curb the five; (five senses), Otherwise, you bend the body and call it namaaz (Muslim prayer). If you unite Siva (inner Being) and shunya (non-Being). That is the inner namaaz, indeed”, Professor M. H. Zafar, a Muslim Shaivaite scholar captivated the gathering of Muslim Sufis, Hindu Yogis, Buddhist Monks, Humanitarians and Peace practitioners at Sufi –Yogi Dialogue from 8th -12 April 2010 organized by Global Peace Initiative of Women (GPIW) at Kathmandu as he recited the sholaks ( verse ) of Nund Rishi, Kashmir’s patron saint. Read more >>>
From the field Profile of Arshi Saleem Hashmi of the IRS
To further explore the significance of the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) in relation to peace in Pakistan and South Asia, Insight on Conflict Local Correspondent Zahid Shahab Ahmed approached Arshi Saleem Hashmi. This interview gives an insight into both the work of an individual peacbuilder in Pakistan and also the work of the IRS. We begin a brief biography of Arshi to showcase her work for peace at national and international levels. Read more >>>
From the field No Hope for making the new Constitution!
With only 36 days left until the deadline for a the new constitution, all political parties opined that it looks impossible to complete it by 28 May 2010. The Constituent Assembly (CA) term extension is the dominating issue these days in the Nepalese politics, each of the three major political parties have different positions. Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (UCPN-M), the largest political party in the CA has demanded leadership in the new government before the extension of the CA term, the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist and Leninist (CPN-UML) has proposed extending the CA term and some of the leaders of Nepali Congress (NC) have proposed for extension while some others have expressed a wish for elections for fresh mandate after May 28. Read more >>>
From the field Unprecedented massive naturalization
“Historic action”, that’s how UNHCR and analysts have called the decision of Tanzanian government to grant citizenship to more that 162,000 Burundian refugees who have been living there for nearly four decades now. Read more >>>
Ethics in Peacebuilding
Peacebuilding constantly throws up all sorts of dilemmas. How should peacebuilders engage with military forces? At what stage in a peace process should reconciliation be promoted? What role should ‘outsiders’ play? These sorts of issues can often be thought of in practical terms, but it is important that peacebuilders have the space to discuss and explore the ethical considerations of their work. In order to provide a space for peacebuilders to discuss these very sorts of ethical issues, the International Peace Research Institute, Oslo has set up PeacE – The Forum for Peacebuilding Ethics. Read more >>>
From the field Sudan Election Updates from Juba and Jonglei State
The counting of votes has just started in Sudan in elections that are so crucial to the future of the country. We can here provide a couple of ‘on the ground’ updates on the Sudanese elections from local peacebuilders, one from Juba, one from Jonglei Read more >>>
From the field ‘People’s Resolution’ in Pakistan
We’ve just posted some information on a ‘People’s Resolution’ in Pakistan, that calls for a shift from a security state to a welfare state, a stronger representative democracy, provincial autonomy, accountability and an independent foreign policy. The resolution was based on dialogue formulated from 90 People’s Assemblies held across Pakistan in March. The dialogue was facilitated by the group Aman Ittehad. Read more >>>
Pakistan Initiates A People’s Resolution for Change
Despite the threat from further terrorist attacks, people have stepped out all over Pakistan and have begun to take responsibility for change. On the eve of Pakistan Day, and the 70th anniversary of the historic 1940 Lahore resolution, thousands of Pakistanis passed a People’s Resolution. Read more >>>
INCORE Peacebuilding Summer School
INCORE, the peacebuilding research centre in the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland, are still accepting applications for their 11th annual summer school, which this year will take place June 7th-11th. Three modules will run as part of the course. Read more >>>
From the field Kashmir: Building democracy, building peace
Dr. Muzaffar’s fellow activists, almost 20 of them from different villages, sitting with him in a circle in Citizen Council’s room in Chadoora, District Badgam almost an hour’s drive from the capital city Srinagar, agree with him. “When the oppressed and poor will get their rights, militancy will automatically go away”, they opine, which may not be accepted by all but clearly for the people who have joined the movement, they are convinced that RTI is the answer for social justice , good governance, accountability and transparency which in turn will bring peace. “Yahi hatiyar yahan aman layega (this weapon alone will bring peace here)”, they raise their hands and shout in unison. Read more >>>
