Archive: August, 2010

From the field Goma Peace Exchange

In July 2010, Insight on Conflict organised an event to bring together a selection of peacebuilding organisations in DR Congo that we feature on the site. The event was planned by Flory Kazingufu, who is both our Local Correspondent for Insight on Conflict and a member of the Chirezi Foundation. He was very keen to bring together the groups in from our DRC section, arguing that such an event would be an opportunity that groups in this area would not normally receive. The minimal aim of the event was to give the groups an opportunity to share their knowledge and experiences, whilst we also felt that there may be opportunities for collaboration amongst the groups. The Peace Exchange took place from July 19-21 in Goma, DRC and turned out to be extremely successful on both counts. Read more >>>

Enriching Democratic Practice in South Asia

The Foundation for Universal Responsibility of HH The Dalai Lama invites applications for a South Asian Peacebuilding Workshop Read more >>>

From the field Pakistan: Appeal for Donations

As you might know that roughly 20 million people have been affected by recent floods in Pakistan, therefore at the South Asia Centre for Peace we are collecting donations to expand the scope of our relief efforts in the country. Read more >>>

Interview Combining Modern and Traditional Justice Techniques: The Jirga in Pakistan

Different life experiences guided Ali Gohar into the field of peacebuilding, as he shared in an exclusive interview for the Insight on Conflict. “My family was involved in enmities, which affected my childhood so much that I promised to do something against the traditions of revenge, honour killing, shame factors, and cruelties by the name of honour. I also worked for 13 years as an Additional Commissioner social welfare for Afghan Refugees where I saw more violence, destruction, kidnapping, murder, displacement and refuge. Miseries of the people motivated me to further work for non-violence and conflict transformation. In 2001, I was selected as a Fulbright fellow for conflict transformation degree at the Eastern Mennonite University VA, USA. After the 9/11 incident I decided to work for peace. Coming back to Pakistan in 2003 I started with Just Peace International (JPI)”. Read more >>>

From the field Why Don’t Ugandans get the Services they Need?

The New Vision on Sunday 15 August 2010 published results of its nation-wide survey on what most Ugandans demand from their governments and aspiring political leaders come 2011 (See What Ugandans Demand, Sunday Vision 15 August 2010 ). The result of the survey reveals that most Ugandans consider health, transport, education, children and employment as their most pressing issues. Read more >>>

From the field PM Election in Nepal – A Neverending Story?

Following the three-point agreement signed by the major three political parties – Nepali Congress (NC), Communist Party of Nepal (CPN-UML) and Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (UCPN-M) on the midnight of 28 May 2010, PM Madhav Kumar Nepal resigned from the post of the PM a few weeks ago. The president has asked to Mr. Nepal to run a caretaker government until the new government is formed. According to the interim constitution of Nepal, the President called on the political parties to form a consensus government within a week. The political parties were unable to form the consensus government, even after being given an extended five days to do so. After the efforts to form the consensus government had failed, the president called for the formation of a majority government through voting in the parliament, based on the other provision in the interim constitution. Read more >>>

Interview ORE: Peacebuilding through dialogue

We believe that in a civilized society the only way to settle conflict is through dialogue. We cannot eliminate the differences because they are natural and according to the divine scheme. We have to know the art of living with differences. The Qur’an says “……If Allah had so willed, He would have made you a single people, but [His plan is] to test you in what He hath given you: so strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to Allah. It is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which ye dispute; (5:48).We should appreciate this divine wisdom. These were the initial remarks of Khurshid Nadeem, the executive director of the Organization for Research & Education (ORE), when I interviewed him with reference to the ORE Dialogue Forums. Read more >>>

From the field Darfur: The Story of a Mediator

In 2008, a conflict erupted between pastoralists and farmers in the district of Rabbah Nairah (west of Shangil Toobai and south of Tabat). Ten camels entered into a farm, and three of them were killed by the farm owner. This led to armed skirmishes between the pastoralists and farmers that almost triggered a war. Abdullah Mohamd Jumaah, an elderly mediator with experience and wisdom, approached the two parties in an attempt to reach a solution acceptable to all. Read more >>>

From the field Why do former LRA rebels support Museveni and his NRM party?

There are many contradictions in Uganda’s political landscape. But, one is especially intriguing. Former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) fighters including senior commanders and collaborators who only a few years ago vowed to kill Museveni and overthrow his government, now speak very favourably of him. Some have even joined his ruling NRM party. Read more >>>

Commentary Internet For Peace

Here at Insight on Conflict we’re naturally big believers in the importance of the internet for spreading information on the work of peacebuilders. The more people can come together to discuss peacebuilding and conflict resolution, the better our chances for a peaceful world. Therefore, we’re very happy to join the campaign for the internet to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Read more >>>