Peace Direct is excited to announce the formation of a new Global Advisory Council. The group is made up of activists, researchers, human rights defenders and community leaders who are committed to helping us achieve our mission of stopping war.
Looking back at 2019, I am continually impressed by the courage, commitment, and resilience of our partners and thousands of local peacebuilders around the world. As war and violence raged in many places, local people on the frontlines of conflict have saved lives, interrupted cycles of violence, and strengthened the foundations for lasting peace in their societies.
Overall in 2019, Peace Direct supported local peacebuilders in 12 countries to stop violent conflict. Our partners set up local Peace Courts in the Democratic Republic of Congo, helped children traumatized by Syria’s war and trained Filipino women in conflict resolution, among many other projects.
As the end of the year approaches, we take a moment to look back at some of the key moments in our work and the lives of our partners.
Updated on July 2, 2020: In Pakistan, an anti-terrorism court acquitted Gulalai Ismail and her parents of financing terrorism charges. “Thank you for standing up in this hard time with my family,” the Ismail sisters said.
Peace Direct and the Alliance for Peacebuilding can announce today that peace and human rights activist Gulalai Ismail is safe in the U.S. after facing threats and intimidation in her home country of Pakistan.
Since the arrest of Gulalai Ismail in Pakistan on 12th October, we have been deeply concerned and are continuing to call for no further interruption to her vital peacebuilding work.
This week, the Global Terrorism Index claimed the world needs more locally-led efforts to counter extremism and conflict in the world – the sort we support.
As the government of Pakistan sanctions its first drone strike on home territory, we ask if there is a better way to tackle violent extremism.
Aware Girls, our peacebuilding in Pakistan, was founded by two brave, young Pakistani sisters, Gulalai and Saba Ismail. Outlook, a BBC World Service show, interviewed Gulalai and Saba about why they became peacebuilders and what their work involves.
Last week, Pakistani peacebuilder Gulalai Ismail was interviewed on the BBC World Service flagship Outlook programme
Aware Girls, our partner in Pakistan, is working with young people to challenge extremism and create a positive future for Pakistan, in which the violence has diminished.