A Tribute to Woman Peacemaker Joan Bernstein

. . WOMEN’S EQUALITY . .

An article by Sherry Zitter for Nonviolent Peaceforce

Joan Bernstein — advocate, activist, peacemaker and passionate organizer — was sadly struck with Multiple System Atrophy (a Parkinson-like disease) several years ago that cut short her life’s work of bringing peace to our nation and the world through Nonviolent Peaceforce. Joan died December 19, 2016 at 65 years old.


Joan was the heart and soul of the U.S. and Canadian chapters of NP for many years. She helped organize the founding conference for NP, and later the annual conference of North American chapters. She provided us with vision, inspiration, resources, skills — and the endless belief that we could rise to any challenge. In fact, one of her greatest skills was making us believe that her pet project was our own idea and at the top of our priority list!

I first met Joan when the Boston chapter of NP was in its childhood. We had coalesced around Elise Boulding‘s well-known workshop: “Imaging a World Without War,” which Elise suggested we change to “Imaging a World with Nonviolent Peaceforce Instead of War.” Firmly believing that a society cannot reach a goal until we have a clear vision of it, Elise, at 85, trained several of us to run her workshop under NP’s auspices.

Then Joan came along with a vision of her own: a community training model that would teach ordinary US citizens basic conflict resolution skills while they learned about NP’s work and became inspired to support it. Joan was not a trainer, and asked for volunteer trainers to help write the manual and run pilot workshops. I started out telling her I didn’t have time for this project and ended up spending more hours on it than any other over the next several years!

Joan’s vision of a self-duplicating model of trainings in the US to build support for global NP was smart, and it worked in many ways. Lack of consistent volunteer time and budget constraints slowed the progress of the trainings, but many hundreds of new adherents to NP bought Peace Bonds, contributed regularly, and were able to solve neighborhood or family conflicts better than before. Joan wholeheartedly gave technical and emotional / spiritual support to our cadre of trainers in a consistent and deeply devoted manner.

(Article continued in the right column)

Question for this article

Do women have a special role to play in the peace movement?

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Her vision of the Listening Project, where inner city voices were amplified by NP volunteers, was another example of Joan’s endless creativity — and how she got volunteers in many cities around the US to join her on this effort.

Joan’s life and peacework may have been cruelly shortened, but we all can carry it on!

I will long remember what she taught me, and will always miss her.

Joan’s Song

CHORUS:
A Woman of Peace, a fighter for change,
A powerful mind with a limitless range,
Holding a vision of the way things could be,
Joan, you leave us a rich legacy.

1. You could have used your brains toward money and power,
Instead you helped justice and equity flower…
Devoted your life to nonviolence and peace,
Our respect for you will never cease! (Chorus)

2. Your dedication to what’s right and true,
Was matched only by Don’s dedication to you,
With no words to guide him, through fatigue and despair,
So loving was his tender care! (Chorus)

3. Delegating to others was your asset so strong —
We thought the idea had been ours all along!
You brought out our best, ‘though I never knew how —
Bet you’ve organized Heaven by now! (Chorus)

4. Your last years were fraught with a sorrow so deep,
Your vital life’s vision you could not complete,
That damn illness silenced the fine work you do,
Now we all must carry on for you! (Chorus)

(Thank you to Janet Hudgins, the CPNN reporter for this article.)

North America, WOMEN'S EQUALITY

USA: “Day without a woman”

. . WOMEN’S EQUALITY . .

Compiled by CPNN from various media as indicated

In the United States, millions of women took part in a “Day without a woman” to mark International Women’s Day, March 8. It was organized by means of social media in the same way as the women’s demonstrations January 21 in which over 2 million protested the policies of the newly inaugurated President Trump.


Members of Congress, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., walk down the steps of the U.S. Capitol to observe “A Day Without a Woman” on Wednesday. Speakers discussed the importance of female workers to the economy and renewed a commitment to women’s equality and rights. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo

Here’s how it was portrayed on the website of the January women’s marches: “In the same spirit of love and liberation that inspired the Women’s March, we join together in making March 8th A Day Without a Woman, recognizing the enormous value that women of all backgrounds add to our socio-economic system–while receiving lower wages and experiencing greater inequities, vulnerability to discrimination, sexual harassment, and job insecurity. We recognize that trans and gender nonconforming people face heightened levels of discrimination, social oppression and political targeting. We believe in gender justice. Anyone, anywhere, can join by making March 8th A Day Without a Woman, in one or all of the following ways:

* Women take the day off, from paid and unpaid labor

* Avoid shopping for one day (with exceptions for small, women- and minority-owned businesses).

* Wear RED in solidarity with A Day Without A Woman”

(Article continued in the right column)

Question for this article

Do women have a special role to play in the peace movement?

(Article continued from the left column)

We have not found any way to measure how many women stayed away from work or to what extent their refusal to shop led to decreased sales, but there were many descriptions of the day in the mass media.

It was reported by United Press International that “schools in the Washington, D.C., suburb of Alexandria, Va., closed for the day because so many teachers opted to stay home. In Rhode Island, a municipal court was forced to close because several clerks and an administrator took the day off.” They also carried the above photo of Congress members leaving the capitol to mark the event.

The website Deadline described actions at a number of media networks, including NBC, Netflix, A&E, Fusion TV and MTV, with the latter turning the “M” upside down on its logo to read “W”.

The website Hollywood Reporter described special editions and other actions by women’s publications, including Teen Vogue, Glamour, Jezebel, Who What Wear, Elle, The Cut (New York Magazine) and Marie Claire.

Adweek described how the following advertising agencies marked the day: 360i, Brand Union, Saatchi & Saatchi Wellness, Huge, Ogilvy, Goodby Silverstein & Partners, Heat, David&Goliath, Zambezi, ustwo, Eleven and SS+K.

The website Eater described actions at many restaurants, including some that closed completely to mark the day. They compared the results to those of the Day without immigrants on February 16 in which many immigrants stayed away from work in order to show their crucial importance for the American economy.

Several sources collected excerpts from social media to show how women throughout the country took part in actions to mark the day. These included the Huffington Post, Vocativ, Daily Caller, and Mother Jones . Gossipcop , Elle, and Indie Wire feaureed social media messages by celebrities.

North America, WOMEN'S EQUALITY

Amnesty: 8 women show us why International Women’s Day is the day to declare: We won’t wait for our rights!

…. HUMAN RIGHTS ….

An article by Shiromi Pinto for Amnesty International

People across the world are joining today’s Women’s Strike, demonstrating the consequences of A Day Without A Woman. Can we afford a day without women like these eight, whose refusal to wait is the key to reversing an increasingly regressive trend for women’s rights?


Photos of the 8 women described below in order upper left to lower right
(click on photo to enlarge)

If there’s one thing we’ve learned from January’s historic Women’s March, it’s that women are fed up of waiting. Today, that fervour hits the streets again in what looks set to be a historic women’s strike. Back at the beginning of 2017, more than 3 million people – of all genders – marched worldwide for women’s rights, and many intersecting rights besides. Those motivations remain true today – spurred by US President Donald Trump’s misogynistic remarks, discriminatory travel ban and directives that have far reaching and profoundly negative implications for migrants and other minorities. His policies also specifically put women’s health and lives at risk. But this is not unique to the USA, as demonstrated by the thousands of women worldwide who are striking today. They know that when it comes to the inequalities that still afflict so many women around the world, the statistics are undeniable.

The World Economic forum predicts it will take another 169 years for the gender pay gap to close. This is just one of many shocking figures showing how long we might have to wait before women and girls can achieve equality. Across the globe, some 225 million women are unable to choose whether or when to have children. Each year, about 47,000 women die, and another 5 million are disabled, as a result of unsafe abortions. An estimated 35% of women worldwide experience physical or sexual violence. More than 32 million girls around the world – compared with about 29 million boys – are not in primary school. And 700 million women alive today were married before they were 18 years old.

With so much left to be gained, women and girls around the world are saying enough is enough. Here are eight women who are battling on the frontline to claim their rights, refusing to wait in the face of injustice.

They won’t wait and neither will we.

How about you?

AFRICA

Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng – She won’t wait… while women are still denied abortions

A medical doctor in South Africa, Tlaleng is a force to be reckoned with. Not only is she a committed medical professional, but she also fearlessly advocates for sexual health as a radio presenter, spreading her message far and wide. “I won’t stop until ​the right of women to have an abortion is respected and provided for safely,” she says. “In South Africa, women die every year due to unsafe abortions, yet politicians think they can use women’s reproductive rights as a political ping pong ball.” Tlaleng is also challenging rape culture, and championing the drive to get health practitioners to treat patients with respect and without discrimination – a true human rights defender, like all the women featured here.

“The whole world thinks they have a right to tell women what to do with our vaginas and our uteruses. Women’s health seems to be a free-for-all for everyone to have an opinion on”.

AMERICAS

Connie Greyeyes – She won’t wait… for another sister to be stolen

Connie Greyeyes is an “accidental” activist. An Indigenous Cree woman living in the province of British Columbia in Western Canada, she realized that a shocking number of Indigenous women in her community had gone missing or had been murdered. She began organizing to support the families of these women and took the demand for a national inquiry to the Canadian capital in Ottawa. According to official figures, more than 1,000 Indigenous women have gone missing or been murdered in Canada in the last three decades. The efforts of Connie and many other Indigenous women across Canada have borne fruit, with the Canadian government finally announcing an inquiry in 2016.

“When we’re together, there’s so much strength. Being able to smile even after finding out that your loved one was murdered. How can you not be inspired by women who have been to hell and back over their children? You know, fighting, trying to find justice. How can you not be inspired and want to continue fighting?”

Karla Avelar – She won’t wait… while refugees are denied safety

Karla Avelar is a survivor. She’s made it through gang attacks, murder attempts and prison in El Salvador. Today, she heads Comcavis Trans, which supports Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) people, all of whom face threats and violence in El Salvador. Their situation is so tenuous in the country that many flee as refugees. Through Comcavis, Karla provides information and other support to help them on what is often a treacherous journey that normally takes them to the USA or Mexico. But the US’s hardline stance on refugees and migrants entering the country has thrown these LGBTI refugees into even greater jeopardy – something Karla is now tackling with energetic defiance.

“The decisions Trump is making are affecting thousands of people, particularly LGBTI people who are victims of racism, discrimination and attacks. Instead of guaranteeing the human rights of migrant people, the government of the USA is stigmatizing and criminalizing them.”
(continued in right column)

(Click here for a Spanish version of this article or here for a French version)

Question for this article

Do women have a special role to play in the peace movement?

(continued from left column)

ASIA-PACIFIC

Su Changlan – She won’t wait … to reunite another child bride with her parents

Former school teacher Su Changlan’s story is not unique. One of her closest friends says that hers is the story of many women in China. She couldn’t stand by when she heard about girls trafficked as brides or parents whose children had gone missing. She did her best to help them and many others, her activism extending to land rights issues and support for pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. She did all this knowing that she might have to sacrifice her freedom in the process. Sadly, this is just what happened. She has been detained by the authorities since 2015.

“I hope that parents do not despair about searching for their missing children. We, civil society, should work together to help them reunite with their children. The government should also invest more in these efforts instead of hindering our work!”

Samira Hamidi – She won’t wait… while women are excluded from government

Since 2004, Samira Hamidi has been blazing a trail for women in Afghanistan. As Chairperson of the Afghan Women’s Network (AWN) she has actively tried to ensure that women’s voices and concerns are represented at the highest levels of government. At the same time, she is a staunch advocate in the international arena, reminding governments and potential aid donors that promoting and securing women’s rights in Afghanistan must be part of any conversation they may have with the country’s leaders. She faces a steep road, but she remains undaunted, championing other women human rights defenders, ensuring that their concerns are amplified.

“Women should be given an equal opportunity to make a better Afghanistan.”

EUROPE

Jeanette John Solstad Remø – She won’t wait… for the right to be recognized as a woman

Until recently, she was John Jeanette, her name signifying the dual identity she was forced to accept every day in Norway. Although this former submarine commander felt her future could only be female, Norwegian law did not allow her to change her legal gender without undergoing a compulsory “real sex conversion”. This would have involved having her reproductive organs removed, as well as a psychiatric diagnosis. She refused to put herself through any of this. As a result, her driving license, passport, medical prescriptions, even her library card, still referred to her as male. She campaigned hard against Norway’s abusive law and her actions, alongside those of her supporters – including Amnesty – scored a huge victory. In 2016, Norway finally adopted a new law on legal gender recognition, which allows transgender people to choose their gender. Today, in acknowledgement of this milestone, she has changed her name to Jeanette John.

“Everyone deserves the right to express their gender.”

MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

Loujain al-Hathloul – She won’t wait… for the right to drive a car

Fearless and formidable, Loujain defied Saudi Arabia’s driving ban and faced the consequences. In November 2014, she was detained for 73 days for live-tweeting herself driving into Saudi Arabia from the United Arab Emirates. Released in February 2015, she went on to stand for election in November that year – the first time women were allowed to both vote and stand in elections in the state. However, despite finally being recognized as a candidate, her name was never added to the ballot. Today, she continues her fight to create a better future for her fellow Saudis – one where women enjoy their rights as full citizens of their nation.

“I will win. Not immediately, but definitely.”

Narges Mohammadi – She won’t wait… for another woman to be disfigured in an acid attack

A passionate advocate for women’s rights in Iran, Narges actively protested against acid attacks on women. This was just one of many efforts she has made to defend human rights, including calling for the abolition of the death penalty. She has paid dearly for her work and is now serving a total of 22 years’ imprisonment for daring to speak out. The “evidence” used against her at trial included her meeting with the European Union’s former High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on International Women’s Day 2014. “In a land where being a woman, being a mother and being a human rights defender is difficult on their own, being all three is an unforgivable crime,” she recently wrote from prison. In 2016, Narges went on hunger strike because she was refused telephone calls with her two young children, who now live in France with their father. Today her children can speak to her once a week, but face the prospect of living without their mother for many years to come.

“I am, in my own homeland, convicted and imprisoned for the crime of being a human rights defender, a feminist and an opponent of the death penalty. [But] not only have my imprisonment and my recent 16-year sentence not made me feel any regret, they have actually strengthened my convictions and commitment to defending human rights more than ever before.”

(Thank you to Janet Hudgins, the CPNN reporter for this article.)

global, HUMAN RIGHTS

ICC: Meet the justice activists breaking the mold

. . WOMEN’S EQUALITY . .

An article from the Coalition for the International Criminal Court (abbreviated)

This International Women’s Day – 8 March 2017 – we join the UN in calling for gender balance in the work force. To provide just that inspiration we are celebrating the women leading the fight for global justice for the worst crimes. Be brave when you find gender perspectives are missing: countless of our civil society representatives from around the world have dared to break the mold – so can you. Read their stories and be inspired.


Photos of the 8 women described below in order upper left to lower right
(click on photo to enlarge)

Adriana Maria Benjumea Rúa, Director – Corporación Humanas Colombia

Adriana Maria Benjumea Rúa is a lawyer, researcher and feminist whose work with Humanas, including on the issue of gender and political influence, has led to the organization becoming a leading advocate of inclusive perspectives in the Colombian peace process.

Adriana is the director of Corporación Humanas Colombia. As a lawyer, researcher and feminist working on the issue of gender and political influence, Adriana’s work includes the important work of monitoring public policies around care for victims and ensuring that they are not implemented without a gender perspective.

Adriana’s extensive socio-legal research on gender justice and violence against women in armed conflicts as well as her strategic litigation work in cases of sexual violence in transitional justice frameworks have contributed to the leading role of Humanas among civil society engaging in the Colombia peace talks. . .

Nancy Lopez – Lawyer – Comisión Mexicana de Defensa y Promoción de los Derechos Humanos

Together with a team of committed men and women from the Mexican Commission for the Defense and Promotion of Human Rights, as well as victims and their families, Nancy Lopez confronts issues of justice denied in Mexico, exploring possibilities for international justice before mechanisms like the ICC.

With the Comisión Mexicana de Defensa y Promoción de los Derechos Humanos, Nancy plays a critical role within Mexican civil society by bringing into focus the country’s need for the global fight against impunity – to ensure the non-repetition of international crimes like enforced displacement, enforced disappearance, torture, executions and sexual crimes in the country; but also to lay groundwork for solutions to many of Mexico’s social issues.

With the Comisión Mexicana coordinating Mexican civil society activities around the ICC, Nancy advocates for the Mexican government to honor its commitment to ensure that international justice is respected and enforced, and that the state abides by its obligations as an ICC member state. Such advocacy has included pushing Mexico to implement the Rome Statute, including its pivotal state cooperation provisions. . .

Rebecca Lozada – National Coordinator – Philippine National Coalition for the ICC

A year after Rebecca Lozada took the helm of the Philippines National Coalition for the ICC, the Philippines became the 117th ICC member state. Setting an example for the majority of states in Southeast Asia, with Rebecca’s coordination Philippines civil society has been mobilizing to ensure a framework is in place to deliver those who commit the most egregious international crimes to justice.

Under Rebecca’s leadership, the Philippines national Coalition for the ICC (PCICC) has been working to ensure individual perpetrators of the most heinous crimes – genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity – are brought to justice. In 2010, one year after Rebecca took up the position of National Coordinator of the PCICC, the Philippines government ratified the Rome Statute to become the 117th ICC member state. . .

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Question for this article

Do women have a special role to play in the peace movement?

(Article continued from the left column)

Brigitte Chelebian – Executive Director – Justice Without Frontiers

Brigitte Chelebian is an Attorney at Law and the Executive Director/Founder of the organization Justice Without Frontiers (JWF), which works towards the advancement of international criminal justice– the first organization of its kind in Lebanon. In a part of the world with little support for the Rome Statute system, JWF campaigns for the ratification and implementation of the Statute within national laws, including promotion of the rights of women who are victims of armed conflict and sexual violence.

As Founder of Justicie Without Frontiers, Brigitte has led pioneering work in Lebanon and the wider Middle East to promote the rights of atrocity victims, including women and children affected by sexual violence in conflict, build stronger national and regional institutions to protect against these crimes, and create access to legal support for victims. . . .

Tetiana Pechonchyk – Chairperson – Human Rights Information Center

Tetiana Pechonchyk is a leading advocate for international justice in her home country, Ukraine, where her and her organization’s first-of-its-kind work from 2014-2016 documenting crimes in both occupied and government-controlled territories continue to make the global fight against impunity a reality in Ukraine.

As Chairperson of the Human Rights Information Centre (HRIC), Tetiana conducts one-of-a-kind work to raise awareness and seek justice for victims throughout Ukraine’s conflict-affected areas. Despite political challenges to her organization’s work, Tetiana and HRIC continue to fight for justice both on occupied and government-controlled territories of Ukraine. . . .

Brigid Inder – Executive Director – Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice

. . .Brigid Inder, OBE, is the Executive Director of the Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice (WIGJ). Among her many efforts with the Women’s Initiatives, Brigid’s influential advocacy with the International Criminal Court (ICC) since 2004 has been applauded for helping to establish the investigation and prosecution of sexual and gender-based crimes as a substantive priority within the work of the OTP.

As the Prosecutor’s Special Advisor on Gender from 2012-2016, Brigid co-wrote the Policy on Sexual and Gender-based Crimes with the Office of the Prosecutor, the first such policy developed by an international court or tribunal. Through WIGJ’s advocacy on the ICC’s substantive work, along with its focus on the integration of women within legal proceedings as well as the institutional development of the ICC with respect to gender and geographical diversity amongst elected officials and senior managers, Brigid supports the ICC in becoming an institution capable of delivering on its mandate and ensuring women and gender issues are included within the Court’s structures and its justice outcomes. . .

Mama Koité Doumbia – President – Malian National Coalition for the ICC and Board Member – Trust Fund for Victims

Mama Koité Doumbia has made an impressive career in promoting women’s rights and gender-justice related issues. She continues to fight tirelessly in multiple capacities to reinforce women’s access to justice and empowerment within her home country of Mali, across the African continent and in many supranational organizations.

Among her many roles and experiences, Mama Koité is well known nationally and internationally as a union leader, teacher and determined activist in finding ways to reinforce the capacities of women’s NGOs. She fights passionately against social injustice and violence. Mama Koité has worked with the Women’s Coordination of Mali, and she was President of the African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET) in Nairobi, Kenya, from 2003 to 2010. From 2005-2014 she also chaired the Gender and Related Issues Cluster and vice-chaired the Economic and Social Council of the African Union. Mama Koité also worked as a member of the Réseau Paix et Sécurité de l’Espace CEDEAO/Mali. She is a founding member of the Réseau Mondial Francophone Egalité Femmes Hommes.

Urantsooj Gombosuren – Chairperson – Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)

As chairperson for FORUM-ASIA, Urantsooj works towards the strengthening of human rights and gender-equality in Asia.

Based in Bangkok, Thailand, FORUM-ASIA has worked alongside human rights defenders and other civil society organizations in Asia for over 25 years promoting and protecting human rights in the region. FORUM-ASIA works to enable a sustainable environment of peace, justice, and gender-equality based on collaboration, advocacy, and cooperation. They conduct their work throughout Asia and across the globe. . .

(Thank you to Janet Hudgins, the CPNN reporter for this article.)

global, WOMEN'S EQUALITY

France: The farmers who bought an old Lidl supermarket

. . SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT . .

An article from Jeunes Agriculteurs

Coeur paysan (literally farmer’s heart) is the name of an ambitious project of 35 farmers who have joined toegher to sell their products directly. Their store is in Colmar, in an old Lidl supermarket. A real symbol.


Colmar, December 6, 2016. The persistent mist accentuates the cold of winter that is already biting. But the occupants of the 82-84 Neuf-Brisach Road are not cold. In this former Lidl, supermarket, closed more than two years ago ,people are busy and in good humor. We cut meat, we place cheeses in the showcases, we stick on the last labels … These are the 35 producers who have invested in these walls to market their products directly. The opening preview is scheduled for 3:00.

The old Lidl is transformed to Coeur Paysan. A rea; symbol! Colmar, wotj ots 70,000 inhabitants, finally has its market of local producers. The locals can buy fruits and vegetables, cheeses, dairy products, meat, bread, etc. The farmers themselves sell the product, working in the store half day per week. A classic operation for a grocery store. What is less important is the size of the project, which required 1.5 M € of investment. This was necessary to renovate the premises, to buy equipment (showcases, boxes, etc.), to invest in communication. As soon as it opened, the store employed six people.

Better valuation. With 35 farms, Coeur Paysan offers a range of products ranging from wild game to teas, snails and smoked trout. These are an asset to achieve the ambitious objective set by the group: to achieve a turnover of 2.5 M € per year. “The hard core of the group is a team of entrepreneurs,” says Nicolas Guibert, tasting his organic goat cheese produced in Linthal, 35km away. “The hardest part is finding a team,” he says jovially. The group met and worked very quickly: the project was completed in eight months, compared to the usual two years preparation for this type of store.

Thirty of the suppliers are now shareholders of SAS Cœur Paysan, which manages the point of sale. The investment – financial and time (sales) – varies according to the turnover expected by each producer. Six of the shareholders bought the building, via an SCI. “We wanted to be independent,” says Denis Digel, President of SAS Cœur Paysan. It is up to us to take our destiny in hand. “As initiator of the project, he is also president of the cooperative of market gardeners of Sélestat. It was “the desire for proximity with consumers” that guided this union leader. A rapprochement synonymous with better valorisation, because “we, the producers, do not draw our chestnuts from the fire!”, he insists.

(Article continued on the right column)

(Click here for a version of this article in French)

Question for this article:

What is the relation between movements for food sovereignty and the global movement for a culture of peace?

(Article continued from the left column)

Battle of the image. Between the riesling of the Domaine Rieflé and the beer of the brewery Saint-Alphonse, a poster proclaims: “Behind every product, there is a producer.” For, beyond the valorization of products, there is a battle of images. In this struggle, farmers have the key cards: “Consumers want to see and touch the producer,” says Denis Digel. Distributors like Intermarché, have understood this, as they claim to be a “producer-trader”. With Cœur Paysan, the farmers have responded in their own way. Modern and rustic, the visual identity of Cœur Paysan, developed by a communication agency, is widely available in the store, on the clothes of sellers and on the Internet. Upon entering the store, customers come across a large sign presenting all the producers.

Inevitably, some people are disturbed. To those who accuse him of overshadowing supermarkets, Denis Digel replies: “We are responding to a new demand that retailers are unable to satisfy.” We fill a need in Alsace. “The proof with Fabien Barre. This young farmer, newly installed in 2014, was looking for a new and secure outlet for his organic goat cheeses. For this farmer, the store has the advantage of “not competing with the goat farmers already on the market”. And it corresponded to his wish to “offer local products directly to the consumers at a correct price.”

Installed in the village of Soultzeren, Fabien transforms into cheeses the whole milk produced by his 60 goats, which allows him to fix his own prices. His goal ? “10 to 20% of my turnover to Cœur Paysan would not be bad. The shop could thus take over from one of the three markets where I am now selling. “Between the cheese-making and its sale,” I have less time with my goats,” he regrets. This is why he is considering to hire someone to help “A project like this comes only once in a lifetime; I don’t want to waste the opportunity.

(Thank you to Kiki Chauvin, the CPNN reporter for this article.)O

Europe, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Nuevo León, Mexico: The State Commission on Human Rights seeks to foster peace in schools through workshops

EDUCATION FOR PEACE .

An article from Hora Cero Web

The State Commission on Human Rights (ECHR) seeks through a series of workshops to promote a culture of peace in schools at all levels of education. It consists of the Seminar on Education for Peace and Human Rights, which began last February 20 and concludes this Tuesday [February 28], which seeks to promote a culture of peace through activities that combat school violence.


Click on photo to enlarge

About 56 teachers from all levels of education, mainly primary, participated in this activity and were taught by activist Frans Limpens.

According to Limpens, this workshop is based on coexistence and conflict resolution without the need for violence, so that teachers can transmit these behaviors to students through the dynamics that involve them. “With these games we build a series of skills and potentialities to work.”

For her part, Sofía Velasco, president of the Commission, expressed her desire that this activity be implemented in all schools of the State. “It depends on the decision of the Ministry of Education, if we are able to continue to give this workshop course,” she said.

(Click here for the original version of this article in Spanish)

Question for this article:
EDUCATION FOR PEACE, Latin America

Burkina Faso: Dialogue of religions and cultures: prospects for the Ouagadougou symposium

, TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY .

An article from Fasozine

On the eve of the opening of the international symposium on the dialogue of religions and cultures in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, the two main initiators of the meeting, Filippe Sawadogo* and Lazare Ki-Zerbo*, discuss in this interview the substance and the highlights of this important meeting on education for the culture of peace.


Lazare Ki-Zerbo* and Filippe Savadogo*

Fasozine.com: Ouagadougou is hosting an international symposium on the dialogue between religions and cultures from 3 to 7 March. Does this mean that the dialogue does not yet exist?

Lazare Ki-Zerbo: It is simply that the situation today invites us to remobilize the mechanisms of dialogue that exist and that have always existed. The Burkinabe people like to stand up to fight against injustices, andviolations. But there are times when we must also know how to fight for peace and for national cohesion. In the light of current events, you will agree that we must really mobilize to preserve and anticipate. We can not sit idly by while our neighboring countries deteriorate and disintegrate.

The initiative aims to strengthen the culture of peace in Burkina Faso and in Africa. What do you think are the ingredients of this culture of peace?

Filippe Savadogo: First of all, peaceful coexistence, which we express through living together. And this is reflected in several mechanisms and sources. By considering our traditional endogenous values, we observe, for example, that joking alliances – which we call “sinagouya” or “rakire” – have been able to temper many concerns during certain crises. Moreover, Africa has always been a continent where the culture of dialogue is a constant part of the education of young people from early childhood: respect for others, initiation to values, etc., and we must revisit all these questions in a world where challenges are only multiplying.

Finally, we also have external supports, such as democracy, good governance, human relations … which we can cultivate by adding new dimensions to build the African man of the new century, a century in which culture becomes engagement and contribution on several horizons towards a better future.

In the face of growing incivility, what place do you give to civic education in this process?

Lazare Ki-Zerbo: The growing incivility reflects the fact that there is a break in the intergenerational bond. In response, our initiative promotes education for peace, a process that should begin at school from a very young age. This is where the mechanisms of living together are learned. The roots of incivility, intolerance and violence must therefore be attacked by an intensive dissemination of the principles of peaceful cohabitation and acceptance of the other. These are the real mechanisms. The problem can not be solved by coercion and brutality.

How would you describe the level of coexistence among different religions in Burkina Faso at the present time?

Filippe Savadogo: In Burkina Faso, the recognition of religious pluralism is a reality. There are also consultations between religious leaders. A good example is the association “faitiere” which is presided by his majesty the Mogho Naaba and which initiates searches of endogenous solutions when there is crisis or misunderstanding.

However, we can also say that nothing should be taken for granted. We must therefore continue to cultivate respect and to understand that the acceptance of difference is an added value. Burkina Faso, a country in the heart of West Africa, has always been a crossroads for dialogue, peaceful cohesion, welcoming and learning about the positive values ​​of other peoples.

Faced with the extremist and terrorist threats, what answers does the Ouagadougou symposium intend to bring?

Lazare Ki-Zerbo: Burkina Faso, is, in effect, at the head of the great old Sahel – the Niger loop, the great empires. To the south we are in relation with the coastal countries, to the west we have this long Border with the Mandingo world … I think that’s what makes us rich. A bit like Cameroon, Burkina is also an Africa in miniature and that is our strength. The fact that we have been at the center of all these great influences has allowed us to take advantage of their contributions and to become stronger.

The message of the symposium is thus: consolidate this capital, which is at the same time social, cultural, historical. A capital that is our wealth and can be a bulwark against the forces of division and separation.

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(Click here for the original French version of this article)

Question related to this article:
 
How can different faiths work together for understanding and harmony?

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Several well-known personalities take part in this meeting. What do you expect from their participation?

Filippe Savadogo: I believe that the presence of those who gained experience in the generation of independence, as well as scholars and scholars from several disciplines, reflects the fact that we want to put at the center of this symposium a framework of reflections that can lay the foundation for an action plan for the years to come. That is why we are thinking first of all of the major groups in our region, including personalities from ECOWAS countries (Sahelian countries) and the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) West African Economic and Monetary Union. We will have many high-ranking personalities from these countries who will share their experiences.

The symposium welcomes, among others, a professor who comes from Central Africa, a country emerging from a crisis, which is now better, and who should share his experience with the participants. We can also mention the presence of the former President of the Transition in Burkina Faso, Michel Kafando, a great witness of his time, who will explain, from the first day of the symposium, the sources and resources that allowed the transition to overcome its obstacles.

Finally, the presence of the Secretary General of the International Organization of the Francophonie, Michaëlle Jean – who is staying in Burkina Faso as part of a visit – brings us the helpful dimension of the Fez process. Indeed, the question of interreligious and intercultural dialogue is a concern for all of the Francophonie. And at the last summit, heads of state and government still encouraged this kind of symposium …

So, are there bridges to be established between the “Libres ensemble” of La Francophonie and this symposium?

Absolutely! To the extent that everything leads to good governance, to democracy, but also to living together, which is a segment of being “free together” with the help of youth and women. Unesco also plays a significant role, since it has a tradition of researching the culture of peace. We also have Isesco with Dr. Cheikh Boubacar Doukouré, who has participated in the Baku process of the Alliance of Civilizations, as well as many others who will share their experiences with stakeholders from across our subregion. The press is also included because we have a large theme of “Media and Society”.

What do you think of the recent measure taken by the Beninese authorities to prohibit any religious grouping in public spaces? Is it, in your opinion, desirable? Exportable?

I think that a dialogue has been established on this issue with a pause for better reflection. But in another dimension, we can talk about the secularity of our states and the organization of all these issues. So we can find a solution in time, knowing that history is also a projection of the future.

Following the symposium of Cotonou, of which this is the continuation, how will you judge whether the symposium of Ouagadougou is successful or redundant?

Lazare Ki-Zerbo: We received a mandate from the Cotonou symposium to hold the national meeting in Burkina Faso because we know we have our own specificities. We will do it with local players, knowing that very often our human wealth is not sufficiently valued.

Thus, as an example, Cheikh Boubacar Doukouré, who is the president of Isesco’s executive committee (Unesco for the Muslim world), is also the president of the assembly of African ulemas, created recently in Morocco. He is a reference in this field, taking part in this symposium, which is also honored by the presence of Mr. Halidou Ouédraogo, President of the Human Rights Foundation. There is therefore considerable knowledge and know-how related to Burkina that will be highlighted in the symposium.

And all this will contribute to the drafting of the action plan …

Absolutely! The main thrusts of a plan for a peace education will emerge from the debates. We already have some ideas with the media and the researchers, so that we can arrive at an action plan. Its implementation will be supervised by a follow-up committee.

* Filippe Savadogo

Former Minister of Culture, Tourism and Communication, Filippe Savadogo, 63, is the coordinator of a French-speaking platform called Continental Horizon. He has served as the ambassador from Burkina Faso in France and then permanent representative of La Francophonie to the United Nations in New York. He was awarded the “Visionary Award” at the Pan-African Film Festival in 2013 in Los Angeles. The Burkina Faso diplomat is also the coordinator for Burkina Faso of the African Initiative for Education for Peace and Development through Inter-religious and Intercultural Dialogue.

* Lazare Ki-Zerbo

Author and actor in the Pan-African Movement and member of several civil society organizations – Manifesto for Freedom – Movement of Intellectuals, Joseph Ki-Zerbo International Committee for Africa and its Diaspora (Cijkad), Bandung Spirit Network – Lazare Ki -Zerbo was special advisor to the promoter of the African Initiative for Education for Peace and Development through Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue led by Albert Tévoèdjrè. A graduate of the Institute of Federalism of Freiburg and the Austrian Center for Peace and Conflict Resolution of Burg Schlaining, he was also a program specialist at the Organization internationale de la francophonie from 2004 to 2014.

Africa, TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY

Education for Culture of Peace in Cyprus: Sharing Best Practices

… EDUCATION FOR PEACE …

An announcement from the Global Campaign for Peace Education

As part of the project Education for a Culture of Peace as a Vehicle for Reconciliation in Cyprus, Education for a Culture of Peace is organising an International Conference entitled “Education for Culture of Peace: Sharing Best Practices” on 24th and 25th February 2017 at Fulbright Center in Ledra Palace Buffer Zone in Nicosia.


On 24th of February, Friday from 4.00pm to 8.00pm, there will be a conference session examining best practices in Peace Education in two panel discussions. The first panel entitled “Local Practices on Education for a Culture of Peace” will feature representatives of the Scientific Committee of the project who will present the practices of critical education and schooling in Cyprus.

The second panel entitled “Alternative Education: Methodology and Teaching or Different Pedagogical Approaches and Schooling?” will feature international experts who will talk about the methodologies, principles and practices of literacy for peace culture and the actualisation of peace education.

On 25th of February, Saturday, there will be three parallel workshops to be held all day from 9.30am until 5.00pm at three different venues in the Buffer zone. These two-hour workshops will be limited to a group of 20 educators each and will be facilitated by the academic guest experts.

Limited seats available on first come first serve basis. RSVP at +3922276843 or +357 97743074 or at postresearchinstitute@gmail.com or info@postri.org by 20th February, Monday.

For the details of the conference, please visit the event page on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/269974243435439/ – Education For a Culture of Peace (E4CP) and also the websites of the project: www.e4cp.org and/or postri.org.

Questions for this article:
EDUCATION FOR PEACE, Europe

Vatican: PCID and WCC to draw up document on Education for Peace

, TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY .

An article from Vatican Radio

Educating for peace is the theme of a proposed joint document to be drawn up by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and the World Council of Churches’ Office of Interreligious Dialogue and Cooperation.

The proposal was the main subject under discussion at a meeting of staff members of the Pontifical Council and colleagues from the WCC office this week. During the encounter in the Vatican on Monday and Tuesday, participants also discussed recent and future activities, underlining the urgency of interfaith dialogue “in today’s global context”.

Below please find the full statement:

The staff-members of the Office of Interreligious Dialogue and Cooperation (IRDC) of the World Council of Churches (WCC) as well as their colleagues from the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue (PCID), held their annual meeting at the PCID Offices on 30th-31st January 2017.

Both the delegations expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to meet a few days after the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. They gave thanks to God for their friendship and fruitful cooperation in promoting constructive relations with individuals and communities belonging to other religious traditions.

The principle agenda of the meeting was to discuss and to deliberate upon a proposed joint document on Education for Peace, following similar joint projects in the past.

It was followed by the exchange of news and views on their respective activities over the past year and planned activities.

Both the PCID and the IRDC agreed to continue their collaboration, in particular, the work relating to the joint document on Education for Peace, given the urgency of the matter in today’s global context.

(Thank you to the Newsletter of the Global Campaign for Peace Education for bringing this article to our attention.)

Question related to this article:
Europe, TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY

Rwanda: Peace Education Added to National Curriculum

EDUCATION FOR PEACE .

An article from KT Press

Twenty three years ago, Rwanda was at the extreme of destruction – a million lives were lost in a genocide against Tutsi. However, when the Rwanda Patriotic Front stopped the genocide and defeated government army, it embarked on a battle to build a peaceful country.

Next year, students in Primary, secondary and university will begin studying ‘peace building’ as part of their curriculum. Students are considered important change agents including; educators, decision makers and researchers. Government has found it necessary to integrate Peace education into the National Education Curriculum under a new program ‘Education for Sustainable Peace in Rwanda(ESPR)’.


Fidele Ndayisaba, the Executive Secretary of the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission
Click on photo to enlarge

ESPR program was launched today by the Ministry of Education during a three day Peace Education conference that is taking place in Kigali from February 20-22.

Over 100 local and international peace building experts, researchers, are holding panel discussions exchanging through existing tools , methodology and content contributing to a stronger base for peace education.

Based on the genocide history, Rwanda is taken as a good example that peace education can have a great impact.

“Rwanda has a lot to share on peace education but also in other areas of progress,” said Johan Debar, in charge of Affairs of the Kingdom of Belgium Embassy to Rwanda, also one of speakers.

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Question for this article:

Peace Studies in School Curricula, What would it take to make it happen around the world?

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Kenny Osborne, Deputy Head of Department For International Development in Rwanda and also one speakers said that Rwanda continues to invest in basic education to take these lessons to regional level.

Isaac Munyakazi, the Minister of State in charge of primary and secondary education told participants that he was confident the program would achieve its aim – by catalysing pluralistic and constructive exchange.

“We need to equip our teachers to make sure the program will be implemented,” Munyakazi said.

The Rwanda Peace Education Program(RPEP) was launched through collaborative efforts between Aegis, Institute of Research and Dialogue for Peace, Radio La Benevolencia and USC Shoah Foundation.

Under RPEP, 7500 students and 300 teachers were across the country trained.

“Through this program we saw successful integration of peace and values. Lessons from RPEP will be taught to students in a every class in the country,” Munyakazi told participants.

Fidele Ndayisaba, the Executive Secretary of the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission told participants, “intergeneration transmission and trauma are still issues to deal with; however reconciliation is a continuous process.”

The Peace Education Conference was for the first time organised by Aegis Trust – that campaigns to prevent genocide worldwide; with the support of the UK, Sweden and US governments.

(Thank you to the Newsletter of the Global Campaign for Peace Education for bringing this article to our attention.)

Africa, EDUCATION FOR PEACE