During a siege in Eastern Ghouta, Syria, bombs blasted, the sounds of shelling filled the air, and cries were heard. Amal’s three children were scared. She did what she could to protect them – trying to distract them from the conflict going on around them with games and toys.
Peace Direct calls for open talks between local groups, communities and future leaders. Following the resignation of Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita yesterday, we call on the country to begin to reconnect with its people to avoid escalating tensions, rising conflict and a potential health emergency brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.
COVID-19 has compelled millions of us to take our everyday activities online – hosting meetings virtually and using tech to catch up with family and friends. Technology for peace, known as ‘peacetech’, has also increased, with local peacebuilders using social media, data and a host of other tech advancement to drive for peace and tackle insecurity.
In Uvira, a city in the South Kivu province of DR Congo, we work with our local partner the Fondation Chirezi (FOCHI), to support those affected by war and instability to rebuild their communities.
June 19 was Juneteenth. It commemorates the proclamation of the end of slavery in the U.S. reaching the last Confederate State (Texas – two years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation). Previously, Juneteenth was written off as another human interest topic whose relevancy rises and falls in its passing (like why we need Daylight Savings Time). But with the latest wave of … Continued
This post was originally shared on Breathe. The ancient yogic practice of Surya Namaskar, or Sun Salutation as it’s more commonly known, serves as a great sequence to energise the body of a morning or to warm up the muscles and mind ahead of a yoga session. Slowed down, it can also be used to centre awareness … Continued
The murder of George Floyd has rightly prompted outrage across the U.S. and in cities around the world. As protestors took to the streets last weekend, our CEO, Dylan Mathews, shared this reflection.
Peace Direct stands in solidarity and mourning with the thousands of peaceful protesters who have taken to the streets across the United States and in cities around the globe to denounce the horrific police killing of George Floyd. We join their call for urgent and transformative action to address the legacies of racism, white supremacy, and militarized violence that pervade U.S. society and much of our world. We express our grief and deep condolences to the family and loved ones of George Floyd, and to all those who have lost loved ones at the hands of racialized violence.
Since the elections in Burundi on 20th May, we have been in touch with our local contacts to hear what they think this important event means for the country. Here, we share reactions to the run up and aftermath of the elections, and recommendations for the new leader.
This story is part of our ‘piece of the puzzle’ mini-series that shares the important work that our partners the Beni Peace Forum are doing on the ground in Eastern DR Congo: Negotiating the Release of Hostages “Beni Territory, like many other parts of Eastern Congo, is plagued by local and foreign militia groups. Sometimes, local … Continued