Archive: July, 2010

From the field The Importance of IDP Organisations in Colombia

In a country with more than 4 million IDPs and many violations of Human Rights, International Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law organisations represent the best way to demand juridical action on the application of constitutional guarantees. Read more >>>

Uganda Hosts AU Summit Amidst Terrorist Scare on the Continent

Concerns over renewed terrorist threats in the African continent appear to have overshadowed the ongoing African Union (AU) delegates’ conference taking place in Kampala, Uganda. Despite the original themes of combating child and maternal mortality, the summit began with more of a focus on security issues within the continent. Barely a week before the summit [...] Read more >>>

From the field Peace Exchange in Goma, DR Congo

Last week was a very exciting one for Insight on Conflict, as for the first time we organised an event to bring together local peacebuilding organisations featured on this site. The ‘Peace Exchange’ took place in Goma in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo from July 19-21, with more than 20 organisations in attendance, from four different provinces of DRC (North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri (Orientale) and Maniema). Read more >>>

Commentary Uganda Section Added

We have now added the Uganda to the regions covered on Insight on Conflict. Uganda has an important role to play in ensuring peace and security in the Great Lakes region. Bordered by Kenya, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Sudan, violence generated within Uganda has often affected its neighbours and vice versa. The work of local peacebuilding organisations within the country is therefore tremendously important. We also welcome our newest local correspondent, Stephen Oola, who has already added almost 20 Ugandan organisation profiles, with stories soon to follow. Read more >>>

Interview Interview with Ashima Kaul

The Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs at Georgetown University has a discussion with Ashima Kaul, local peacebuilder and local correspondent for Kashmir, in which she talks about her work, and what motivated to dedicate her life to peacebuilding. Read more >>>

From the field International Court of Justice to rule on Kosovo

On Thursday 22nd July, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will finally issue its long-awaited and increasingly anticipated advisory, non-binding opinion on the legality of Kosovo’s declaration of independence. Though speculation suggests that, given the complexity and contentiousness of the issue at hand, the ICJ will likely refrain from ruling decisively in favour of either one side or the other, it will have important implications for the future of the disputed territory. Read more >>>

From the field Confused Political Situation in Burundi

Armand Giramahro, from the Amahoro Youth Club in Burundi, has provided the following update on the situation in his country: Read more >>>

Interview Peace in Kashmir: the work of PFP in AJ&K

Press for Peace (PFP), a non-governmental humanitarian organisation is the brainchild of Zafar Iqbal. This organisation was established in 1999 in Muzaffarabad-the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, commonly known as Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K). The protection and promotion of human rights, conflict resolution, peace and security, interfaith harmony, community cohesion, gender empowerment and sustainable development have been major areas of focus of this organisation. Read more >>>

From the field New Strategies for Peace ahead of Elections in Liberia

The Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (JPC) say it has began the process of designing new strategies ahead of upcoming General and Presidential elections in Liberia, due to take place in October 2011. Although the elections are still more than a year away, the JPC believes in the need to start their planning well in advance. The strategies of the JPC include massive voter and civic education, monitoring of the electoral campaigns and ensuring that the elections are free and fair. Read more >>>

From the field Nepal Peace Process at a Standstill

‘Resignation of the Prime Minister’ – the much awaited demand of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (UCPN-Maoist) was finally fulfilled on June 30, when Prime Minister Madhev Kumar Nepal submitted his resignation letter to the President, Ram Baran Yadav. The President in turn provided his consent to the resignation letter on the very same day, and asked the political parties to form a consensus government within seven days. Today is the last day for formation of the new government; and yet none of the political parties have yet reached for agreement on the consensus government. Read more >>>