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News bulletin winter 2009
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Conciliation Resources takes part in Mindanao peace process
The Philippines government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have invited us to join the newly formed International Contact Group for their peace talks. The group includes the UK, Japanese and Turkish governments and three other international non-governmental organizations. Its role is to monitor the Malaysian led-negotiations, which resumed on 8 December in Kuala Lumpur.
Georgia: understanding the past, facing the future
We recently began an EU-funded project with Saferworld, working with Georgian, Abkhaz and South Ossetian civil society organizations. A key aim is to improve peoples’ access to information on these conflicts and to debate the causes and ways of resolving them. One new partner, Go Group, has set up an interactive ‘Eyewitness Studio’ website to promote wider public discussion and awareness of conflict-related issues, with real life stories documented by professional and citizen journalists in short films, photos and articles.
New partners in West Africa
In November we started working with the Liberia Democratic Institute (LDI) and Actions for Genuine Democratic Change (AGENDA), two established NGOs working on governance issues. They are carrying out research and local governance surveys in Liberia’s Grand Cape Mount and Lofa counties to help improve government accountability in border communities.
Accord Somalia launch event at UK parliament
On 15 December we will launch our latest Accord publication and policy brief on Somali peace processes at an event hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Conflict Issues. Speakers will include leading academic Ken Menkhaus, British-Somali researcher Khadra Elmi and Accord issue editors Mark Bradbury and Sally Healy. The publication includes over 30 articles and interviews with Somali and international experts and practitioners involved in peace processes in Somaliland, Puntland, south central Somalia and nationally.
Conference for indigenous peoples affected by conflict
In November we held a ‘Comparative Learning Conference of Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines’, focusing on lessons learned from responding to armed conflict. Forty-five people from more than 20 tribes attended. Our keynote speaker was Luz Mery Vanegas, a Colombian indigenous woman and member of the National Movement of Women Against War. She shared her experiences of resisting conflict and armed actors in Colombia, and highlighted the specific role of indigenous women in building peace.
Policy brief on improving public participation in peace processes
This updated Accord policy brief argues for more inclusive and democratic peacemaking that goes beyond ‘elite’ pacts between governments and armed groups. It outlines several approaches for participation and key considerations for supporting such processes. It will also soon be available online in French, Spanish and Russian.
Translated policy briefs
Our recently updated policy brief Choosing to engage: armed groups in peace processes is now available in Spanish and Russian.
New funding
We would like to thank the Belgian government and the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for funding our work to support civil-society led peacebuilding in areas affected by the Lord's Resistance Army conflict in east and central Africa. The Norwegian Ministry has also extended its support for our work in Colombia and the Philippines to promote learning from peace processes. We are also grateful to the Eleanor Rathbone Charitable Trust for a kind donation towards the making of a film on security challenges for border communities in West Africa. http://www.c-r.org/about/funding.php
CR joins forces with European peacebuilders
We are now a member of the European Peacebuilding Liaison Office. EPLO is a platform of European NGOs, networks and think tanks that share an interest in promoting sustainable peacebuilding policies among decision makers in the European Union. One of our first collaborations will be a launch event in January in Brussels for our Accord publication on Somali peace processes.
Consider CR this festive season
A donation can contribute to local peace initiatives in many important ways. Your help can make a real difference to people affected by armed conflict. Please give what you can.
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