Archive: May, 2010
Interview IPRI: a think-tank encouraging dialogue on peacebuilding
Farhat Akram works for IPRI, a Pakistan-based think-tank. She says that think-tanks have an important contribution to make to peacebuilding in Pakistan, by encouraging research and dialogue on policy-related issues. “Think tanks in Pakistan have a long history of providing evaluations and commenting on policies that are implemented or are going to be implemented by incumbent governments. The role for the think-tank can be less direct and not necessarily that of taking bold practical and concrete initiatives; that I believe is the role of NGOs. NGOs can facilitate the process once it has been suggested by a scholar from these think tanks. Think tanks provide intellectual power to formulate the strategies for peacebuilding options. There is need for collaboration from both sides; links between think-tanks and NGO have often been stressed and they do cooperate often to support each other on peace studies”. Read more >>>
Commentary Uncertainty and fear in Thailand
Smoke rises from central Bangkok after a night of violence, tears, and death. The Thai government claims success in dealing with the Red Shirt challenge while at the same time a movie theater, a mall, and several banks burn. Fear and uncertainty about the future are one of the few feelings shared by both sides of the socio-political divide. Read more >>>
From the field An Insight into the Peacebuilding Initiatives of PAIMAN
“From the platform of PAIMAN, I have formed women and youth peace groups in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and a few conflict prone districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (formerly known as the North West Frontier Province) and I have built their capacities in conflict transformation, peacebuilding and leadership. So far through PAIMAN we have been able to reach out to 65,000 people across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA through these peace groups. Through the same platform we help radicalized youth to be rehabilitated and re-integrated in society through psycho-social therapy, non-formal and formal education, skill building and true Islamic Education”. These were some initial views of the founder and the executive director of PAIMAN Alumni Trust, Mossarat Qadeem, when she granted me an exclusive interview about PAIMAN’s peacebuilding projects. Read more >>>
From the field Hope of peace in Sri Lanka
The armed conflict in Sri Lanka is over, but still the government has not given a satisfactory political solution for the Tamils who live in North and East Sri Lanka. After 30 years, people have to face and deal with so many new things – such as a new governing system and a new laws. The post-war period of Sri Lanka is complicated, primarily because people do not have any support to overcome their sadness, loss, tension and frustrations from the conflict. Read more >>>
From the field Two conflicts, One Village: The Case of Kasika
The village of Kasika is infamous throughout DR Congo for the massacre which took place there in 1998 during the war with the RCD armed group. I have wanted to visit the village in the past, but have never have not been able to visit until now, when I heard that the village had begun important peacebuilding efforts. The location of Kasika is rather dangerous but the chance to see this important peacebuilding and reconciliation work made me determined to visit. Read more >>>
Commentary Discussion on the ethics of peace education in Muslim countries
We recently posted a link to PRIO’s new website, ‘PeacE – the Forum for Peacebuilding Ethics’. This week, the site is featuring a great contribution from our own Local Correspondent for Pakistan, Zahid Shahab Ahmed. Zahid’s post is entitled ‘Peace Education in the Muslim Context: the Case of Pakistan’. It’s an excellent exploration of a complex issue and we encourage you to check it out! Read more >>>
From the field Human Rights Watch Representative Asked to Leave Burundi
The Burundian government has canceled work permit of Neela Ghoshal, Human Right Watch’s representative in Burundi and asked her to leave the country by the 5th of June. This decision follows the publication of a HRW’s report on pre-electoral violence last week describing violent clashes between rival youth wings, including the ruling party CNDD-FDD and former rebel group FNL. The report urged the government to take strong measures to combat political violence and ensure peaceful conditions in this electoral period. Read more >>>
From the field Facebook and YouTube Blocked in Pakistan
On the morning of 19 May 2010, internet users in Pakistan found themselves unable to access either the Facebook or Youtube websites. This turned out to be as a result of a government crackdown on websites publishing un-Islamic content. Read more >>>
From the field Burundi Bikers Mobilise
16 volunteers from the Amahoro Youth Club lead a peace parade of over 100 bikers across the city of Bujumbura. The bikers, on cycles and motorbikes, are the taxi drivers of the city, young men who in previous years have been used as pawns in outbreaks of political violence. Read more >>>
Interview “Creating a peaceful and prosperous civil society” with the CSP
The Community Support Programme (CSP) was established by a group of like-minded young professionals who aspired to bold initiatives in creating awareness about the socio-economic and political condition in the country at grassroots level. CSP adopts a participatory approach, believing in the importance of community self-help; they work with volunteer groups in remote rural areas of Pakistan. CSP has set up a collaborative network of 500 Community Based Organisations (CBOs) across Pakistan to assist in the implementation of different projects and capacity building programmes. The reach of the CSP at the grassroots level makes it unique in Pakistan, and I was therefore very keen to find out more. The Director of the CSP, Muhammad Asif Noor, granted me an interview to explain more of how they operate. Read more >>>
