Decolonizing U.S. Aid and Foreign Policy
By Elana Aquino and Shannon Paige
Category: Advocacy
Dear USAID; let’s make sure that “local” really means “local”
This blog was originally posted by Bond. . The international humanitarian, development and peacebuilding sectors are brimming with initiatives that promise to shift power and resources to local actors in the Global South. Take #ShiftThePower, for example, which is evolving into a genuine movement or, closer to home, Bond’s own sector catalyst initiative and … Continued
9/11: Twenty Years On
Lessons from Peacebuilding Twenty years ago, I walked into the offices opposite the UN Headquarters in Manhattan as the first plane struck the World Trade Center. Soon after, diplomats from every corner of the world streamed out of the UN building in a mass evacuation as news of the terrorist attacks shook the world. Later … Continued
Time is now for the U.S. to include, empower, and resource young peacebuilders globally
Peace Direct applauds the re-introduction of the Youth, Peace & Security Act of 2021 in the U.S. Earlier this year, we called on US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to announce measures to support the fundamental human rights of young people. Today, we commend the introduction of bi-partisan legislation in the U.S. Congress that … Continued
COVID-19 has shown us how to decolonize international development
We recently passed the year mark since the COVID-19 pandemic forced most of us to retreat to our homes. In that time, those of us working in international development, aid and peacebuilding have been confronted with a number of hard truths about ourselves.
“More support for youth” open letter from peacebuilding organizations
In an open letter, we call on US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to announce both short and long-term measures to support the fundamental human rights of young people. We ask that the importance of young people’s contributions to peace and security be recognized and supported through meaningful policy change. It is estimated that 408 million young people live in areas affected by armed conflict or organized violence – that is roughly one in four. Many young people take on important roles such as community mobilizers, … Continued
Bipartisan bill would strengthen U.S. support of young peacebuilders
The world’s youth population tops 1.8 billion, and many of those young people are living with violent conflict. Youth populations have long led grassroots efforts for peace and justice, yet they remain underrepresented in policy decisions. This legislation seeks to address the problem.
Pathways to Peace in Yemen
Peace Direct, Search for Common Ground and Mercy Corps present “Pathways to Peace”, an art exhibit showing the face of conflict and hope in Yemen.
We Stand with Gulalai Ismail
Peace Direct condemns the recent charges brought against Gulalai Ismail by the Pakistani government Peace Direct expresses our full solidarity with Gulalai Ismail, and we condemn the recent charges brought against her by the Pakistani government after she spoke out at a protest following a horrific crime committed against a 10-year-old girl. On 22 May … Continued
New US Policy Initiatives Recognize the Importance of Local Peacebuilding
Updated on Dec. 20: The inclusion of local civil society in peacebuilding initiatives is vital to building sustainable peace. The U.S. Congress passed a new policy initiative called the Global Fragility Act that will take local voices into consideration. The act demonstrates significant progress toward international recognition of the critical role played by local people. The initiative brings the United States closer to a more focused, high-level policy response to address violence and instability in the world’s toughest places — one that helps put locally led peacebuilding at the forefront.