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
Climate change and conflict are two of the biggest challenges faced by our world. Yet, environmental work and peacebuilding efforts are rarely coordinated. By supporting local peacebuilders to reduce violence while caring for the environment, we’re determined to change this.
2020 was a year of unprecedented challenge and change. For Peace Direct and our partners, the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to quickly adapt and respond to the changing environment. Like many organisations around the world, we have continued to deliver our work in new and innovative ways. As we move forwards in 2021 and beyond, we’ve been reflecting on our successes last year. Here, we are pleased to share some of our highlights:
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
Despite the impact COVID-19 poses to civil society and our collective ability to respond to conflict, we are resolute in continuing support for those communities around the world who are most affected. The continued support from People’s Postcode Lottery players gives us the strength and hope to continue our important mission towards peace. With players … Continued
Nationwide protests are continuing in Nigeria after a video went viral, reportedly showing officers from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) shooting a young man dead.
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.
This is the story of Michael, a local hero who runs Peace Initiative Network, a peacebuilding organisation supporting young people in the city of Kano, Northern Nigeria. This video was produced by Zoomin.TV as part of their Local Heroes series. Fifteen years ago, Michael Femi Sodipo watched from a neighbour’s window as his house and … Continued
Through our new fund and grant-making programme, we will be able to support a larger number of locally-led atrocity prevention and response interventions in Myanmar and Nigeria.
. This is the story of Shehu, a local hero who runs a boxing club for vulnerable young people in the city of Kano, Northern Nigeria. This video was produced by Zoomin.TV as part of their Local Heroes series. Born into poverty in Kano, Shehu was recruited into a gang when he was just seven years old. … Continued