Blog Archives - Peace Direct

Category: Blog

Three years on from George Floyd’s murder. What have we learned?

Today marks three years since the murder of George Floyd. The slow-motion killing of a black man at the hands of a white police officer shook the world, and for good reason. What was unexpected was how the event catalysed a long-overdue conversation about racism in so many parts of the world and across so … Continued

The Case for Flexible Funding

When the earthquake hit Türkiye and Syria, social media was inundated with emergency appeals from international NGOs and donors that shifted their priorities to provide emergency and early recovery support for those who have been affected. But in Northwest Syria, one of the areas most critically impacted, 12 years of war and geopolitical interests have … Continued

Reflecting on a year of work to decolonise peacebuilding

It’s been a year since we launched the collaboratively developed* report, Race, Power and Peacebuilding. It collated the insights and experiences of over 160 practitioners – shared through a global consultation on Platform4Dialogue – to expose the systemic racism underpinning the peacebuilding sector. The consultation participants identified many ways peacebuilding is affected by racism – … Continued

Hommage à Flory

C’est avec une grande tristesse que nous partageons la nouvelle que l’ami et collègue de Peace Direct, le pasteur Floribert (Flory) Kazingufu, est décédé le 2 mars 2023 à Bujumbura, au Burundi. Il était âgé de 55 ans. Flory était le coordinateur de la Fondation Chirezi (FOCHI), une organisation qu’il a cofondée en 2002 basée … Continued

Remembering Flory

It is with great sadness that we share the news that Peace Direct’s friend and colleague, Pastor Floribert (Flory) Kazingufu, passed away on 2 March 2023 in Bujumbura, Burundi. He was 55 years old. Flory was the Coordinator of Fondation Chirezi (FOCHI), an organisation he co-founded in 2002, based in South-Kivu, eastern Democratic Republic of … Continued

Kaltumi’s Story: Championing Women’s Rights in Nigeria

Kaltumi Abdulazeez is a young female peacebuilder in Nigeria. She is the Founder of the Ladies Empowerment Goals and Support Initiative (LEGASI). She has been working with survivors and families of violent conflict since 2016. Motivated by her childhood, she is committed to peacebuilding and supporting women’s rights. Here is her story: My Journey and … Continued

Russia’s invasion 1 year on: Portraits from the War in Ukraine

“When this day came, everything went upside down.” When war came to Ukraine on 24 February 2022, Makarii was asleep. Iliena was on her way to work. Liiana woke up to a call from her friend, and 10 minutes later, she heard the first explosion. They would all soon be forced to flee their homes … Continued

Mining for Peace in the DRC

The Democratic Republic of Congo has seen decades of violent conflict. Gold reserves have often been considered a driver of these conflicts, particularly in the Ituri province of eastern DRC. With over 160 armed groups active in eastern DRC, this is a widespread threat to peace in the region. The majority of mines in Ituri … Continued

Bridging Syria’s Education Gap

War often prevents children from receiving education. During conflict, school acts as a place of safety for children. In Syria, many children have been forced out of school as a result of the war, denying them their right to education. March 2023 marks 12 years since the start of the war in Syria. During this … Continued

Séraphin’s story: an ex-combatant

The region of South Kivu in DRC has been the scene of clashes for many years. Instability has led to economic chaos, and many young people have become unemployed, and some have even joined armed groups. Last year, local organisation Cadre de Concertation Intercommunautaire (CCI) was selected as one of the grantees in our Youth … Continued