Archive: June, 2010
From the field Radio for Peacebuilding (R4PB): Search for Common Ground (SFCG) in Pakistan
Search For Common Ground (SFCG) have just launched a new peacebuilding initiative in Pakistan. Through Radio for Peacebuilding (R4PB), SFCG is helping to develop the skills of radio broadcasters from almost 50 percent of FM radio channels in Pakistan so as to facilitate constructive and culturally sensitive dialogue on critical issues facing the country. Read more >>>
From the field Citizen Power in Kashmir
Ashima Kaul of Insight on Conflict travels with activists of the Right to Information Movement in Jammu and Kashmir as they visit a village to campaign. Read more >>>
From the field Combatants for Peace tour of the UK (July 2010)
The peacebuilding organisation Combatants for Peace will be taking part in a number of public events in the UK from July 24-30. The Combatants for Peace movement was started in 2005 by Palestinians who had been part of the violent struggle against the occupation and Israelis who had fought in the Israeli army. Read more >>>
From the field A period of uncertainty in Burundi
Burundians are living in fear since the announced victory of CNDD-FDD in local polls in late May; the result has been contested by the opposition, who say that the vote had been rigged. Several grenade attacks have targeted bars, residences and public areas in the recent days. It is reported that 6 people have died and more that fifty others have been injured. Read more >>>
The Grand Jirga in Mingora, Pakistan
An interesting development in support of sustainable peace happened recently in the Swat Valley region of Pakistan, with a ‘Grand Jirga’ in Mingora. Traditionally, Jirgas have served as a mechanism for resolving communal and tribal conflicts in Afghanistan and the tribal areas of Pakistan. Jirga members are often notable and local power-holders whose decisions are respected and thus accepted by the people. Read more >>>
Interview Research, Radicalization and Religious Extremism: The work of PIPS in Pakistan
Since 2007, The Pak Institute for Peace Studies have been developing an impressive programme to counter radicalization and religious extremism. I spoke to their Director Muhammad Amir Rana to find out more. Read more >>>
Interview Looking ahead to 2018 with OneVoice
One Voice describe themselves as “an international grassroots movement that amplifies the voice of mainstream Israelis and Palestinians, empowering them to propel their elected representatives toward a two-state solution”. Over 650,000 people, with close to equal numbers of Israelis and Palestinians, have pledged their support to their work. Read more >>>
Interview Multiple ways of promoting peace: the IFT in Pakistan
Up until 1998, the main activities of the Insan Foundation Trust (IFT) were based around combating extremism and nationalism in Pakistani young people. But the successful nuclear test carried out by India and Pakistan that year forced IFT to change its focus, and expand its activities around peace. The projects of IFT have many interesting and innovative features, and to give Insight on Conflict readers more of an idea of their work, I interviewed Kishwar Sultana, Executive Director of IFT. Read more >>>
From the field Presidential elections in Colombia: More of the same?
Colombian voters will elect a new President this month; the controversial reign of Álvaro Uribe will come to an end. The first round of voting took place at the end of May and the two remaining candidates will learn their fate as voters once again take to the urns. In one corner is the close Uribe ally and ex-Minister of Defence Juan Manuel Santos. In the rival corner is the surprise phenomenon, the ex-Mayor of Bogotá, Antanas Mockus. Read more >>>
From the field Update on Minorities National Councils elections in Serbia
Last week, I posted about the preparations for elections for the Minorities National Councils (MNC) in Serbia. These elections have now taken place, and around 54% (some 240,000) of those registered to vote took part; with the Greek minority registering the highest turnout (77%); the Ashkali the lowest (39%). Read more >>>
