IJAB - Fachstelle für Internationale Jugendarbeit der Bundesrepublik Deutschland e.V.’s Post

If you have been wondering why I have been posting so many articles on themes unrelated to my specialisms, this brief article will, I hope, explain my reasoning and give you some suggestions of how you too can support the global peace movement if you are not doing it already. #peace #peacebuilding #volunteering #humanrights #youth #lifestory #motivation #EU #Europe #freedom #UDHR

🤝 Despite the recognized importance of involving a diverse range of people in peacebuilding, it remains a pressing issue that many segments of society find themselves on the sidelines of conflict resolution efforts. Notably, youth, often the largest demographic in conflict-affected areas, are frequently overlooked in these crucial processes. 🌱 In our latest #Essential, our expert Dorothea Schiewer explains how youth participation can be improved and implemented in peacebuilding activities. 💙Special thanks to all organizations who participated in the consultations for this Essential and openly shared their approaches to and experiences with youth participation in peacebuilding: Basel Peace Office, Coexistences, Fondation Hirondelle, Helvetas, Interpeace, Mission21, The feminist peace organization Frieda, terre des hommes schweiz, World Vision, Pestalozzi Children's Village, Swiss UN Youth Representatives, and UNOY Peacebuilders💙. 📺 Watch the video below to dive into the topic, and read the full publication here: 👇 https://t.ly/vYoq5

OIDHACO, The International Office for Human Rights Action on Colombia welcomes the appointment of the Adrianus Koetsenruijter as the new European Union Special Envoy for the #Peace Process in #Colombia We hope that Mr Adrianus Koetsenruijter, like his predecessor Mr Gilmore, will continue to foster the EU's commitment to the comprehensive implementation of the ithe 2016 peace agreement, and support the negotiations taking place in Colombia within the framework of the "Total Peace" policy being developed by the current government of Colombia. The EU's political and financial support has been crucial to the progress of peace in Colombia. At the moment, however, civil society organisations are concerned about the disappearance of the European Trust Fund for Peace in Colombia (EUTF). We hope that the new European Union Special Envoy to Peace Process in Colombia can help identify and define new funding mechanisms for peace support, as without them, there are risks of creating a vacuum in the Colombian people's peace efforts that have been supported by the EU. We also hope that the new #EuropeanUnion Special Envoy to the Peace Process in Colombia will continue to pay close attention to the #gender and #ethnic provisions of the 2016 Peace Agreement. We also hope that the Special Envoy's mandate will be strengthened and that consideration is given to the importance of counting on civil society organisations in fulfilling his mandate, especially in his visits to #Colombia. Unión Europea en Colombia, Council of the European Union Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2024

➡ The recently published Essential "From Policy to Practice - Meaningful Youth Participation in Peacebuilding" is a practical guide to help organizations facilitate and improve youth participation in peacebuilding practice. 💡 The publication puts a focus on the implementation of the participation pillar of the UN Security Council resolution 2250, the UN Youth, Peace and Security Agenda (YPS), asking how international NGOs can contribute to the implementation of this pillar through their peacebuilding activities. ⚡ It is based on a series of interviews with 12 different international non-governmental organizations and their partner organizations, nine member organizations of the Swiss Platform for Peacebuilding KOFF and three organizations external to the platform 📖 Have a read: https://lnkd.in/dGfaGsYK Thanks to Basel Peace Office, Coexistences, Fondation Hirondelle, ONG STUDIO SIFAKA, Helvetas, Interpeace, Mission 21, the feminist peace organization Frieda, terre des hommes schweiz, World Vision Switzerland and Liechtenstein, Pestalozzi Children's Village, Swiss UN Youth Representatives, and United Network of Young Peacebuilders.

Today, on October 24, 2024, we join the international community in celebrating United Nations Day, making the anniversary of the UN Charter coming into force in 1945. This day is a reminder of our shared commitment to peace, dignity, and equality for all. Today also acts as a reminder of the centuries-long fight for Indigenous Peoples to claim their spot within the international system. In July of 1923, Haudenosaunee Hereditary Chief, Deskaheh, travelled to Geneva, Switzerland to speak before the League of Nations to obtain international recognition of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy as a sovereign Indigenous Nation. The League of Nations refused to hear his petition, and the recognition of Indigenous Peoples right to self-determination continues to be an uphill battle. When the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was adopted in 2007, it was guided by the principles of the UN Charter, reiterating that “Indigenous Peoples are equal to all other peoples.” The Métis National Council continues to advocate for the protection and promotion of the rights outlined in UNDRIP both within Canada, and internationally. Additionally, MNC remains dedicated to the fight for Enhanced Participation of Indigenous Peoples within the United Nations, and continues to actively participate in dialogues to secure the Métis Nation a spot at the table. Pictured: Métis Nation representatives attending UNPFII23 in New York in April 2024. This year's theme was "Enhancing Indigenous Peoples’ right to self-determination in the context of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: emphasizing the voices of Indigenous youth.” #UnitedNationsDay #MétisNationalCouncil #UNDRIP #IndigenousRights #UNDA

🌍 Emile Foundation at the G20 Social Summit: for Ukrainian children illegally and forcibly deported to Russia🇧🇷 This week, our CEO, @mariam_lambert, represented Emile Foundation at the #g20 Social Summit in #Brazil, alongside 𝑵𝒐𝒃𝒆𝒍 𝑷𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒛𝒆 𝒍𝒂𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒔 Oleksandra Matviichuk, Founder of the Center for Civil Liberties, and 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐤𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐤𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐯, former Chairman of the Human Rights Center "Memorial" (liquidated by Russian authorities). Together, they carried the voices of those who cannot speak from Russian captivity or occupied cities. 💬 During the summit, Oleksandra Matviichuk participated in a panel featuring the Chief of Staff of Brazil’s President Lula, where the focus was on advocating for the rights of those impacted by the ongoing conflict and highlighting the need for global and international reform. At Emile Foundation, our mission is clear: to return forcibly deported Ukrainian children to their families and to provide the care, support, and justice they deserve. The stories shared at the G20 Social Summit reminded world leaders of the conflict and the urgent need for accountability. ✈️ During the summit, the delegation met with Brazilian government officials and engaged with local and international media to advocate for immediate action. 🤝 We continue to fight for every child’s right to safety, for the return of Ukrainian children, and for a future where justice prevails. 💙 Join us in this mission, because peace is impossible without justice. We are very much thankful to our donors who made this mission possible 🇧🇷 📢 Help us support forcibly deported children and bring them home. Amplify their voices by sharing this post so the world knows about them. #EmileFoundation #G20Summit #g20 #StandWithUkraine #ChildRights #HumanitarianAid #JusticeForUkraine #HumanRights #HopeAndResilience

Excerpt from my statement at the International Conference on Peace, Women and Security (Oct 28-30, Philippines): Around the world, and particularly in regions scarred by conflict, women have emerged as powerful peacebuilders. From Southeast Asia to the Middle East, Africa, and beyond,  women have been instrumental in bridging divides, rebuilding communities, and fostering resilience. From the jungles of Mindanao in the Philippines to the streets of Palestine, women have shown that their engagement is not just advantageous—it is essential for sustainable peace. Governments have a key role in this process, but they must actively engage with civil society, particularly women, to ensure that peace agreements are not merely political documents but living realities. Civil society organizations have worked in harmony with government initiatives. We have long advocated for peace in Mindanao, bringing together diverse voices from local communities, women, religious leaders, academe and more to promote democratic values, peaceful co-existence, and women's participation in the peace process. We have seen the power of women in fostering peacebuilding, advocating for governance reforms, and contributing to the Bangsamoro peace process. Women’s work has been instrumental in ensuring that peace in Mindanao is inclusive and sustainable. ... This brings me to the heart of our message: the importance of linking women peacebuilders across regions, for instance from Southeast Asia to their counterparts in the Middle East and Africa regions. This is at the core of our Special Forum, which will be on October 30, from 830 to 12 at Rizal Hall. We urge you all to join us.  Although the contexts may vary, the challenges faced by women in these regions are remarkably similar. Women from Mindanao, who played a pivotal role in the Bangsamoro peace process, have valuable insights to share with women navigating the complexities of peacebuilding in Yemen, Syria, and Iraq. At the same time, the experiences of MENA women—in dealing with violent extremism to community healing—can inspire new strategies for peacebuilding in Southeast Asia. We are not isolated from one another. We are part of a global ecosystem where the wisdom of one group of women can illuminate the paths of others. By fostering deeper connections between regions, we can create a dynamic network that transcends borders—one that shares strategies, supports each other’s efforts, and strengthens our collective voice on the global stage. Peacebuilding is not a linear journey. It requires ongoing dialogue, innovation, and solidarity. We urge our governments, international organizations and all to support us and help establish bridges, linking civil society and women leaders across regions. By doing so, we can advance the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda and ensure that peace is inclusive, durable, and reflective of the diverse societies we seek to build.

"The failure to include women is stunting the potential for peace, and the international community is partially to blame. International powers that have long promoted women’s inclusion in peace processes are failing to push warring parties to live up to their commitments and are also failing to promote women leaders within their own ranks. This worldwide crisis in the underrepresentation of women is sustaining conflict, and damaging prospects for peace." #peaceandconflict #womeninpeace #conflictresolution https://lnkd.in/gixTWe6n

I address you from my native country of Soouth Africa, and I'm honoured to share afew words with you on behalf of my elders. As we know, it has been 23 years since the UN security council passed resolution 1325, which set forth a framework mandating women's meaningful inclusion in peace process. And yet over two decades later, women are still shockingly in a small minority at negotiating tables world wide. This is despite the verwhelming evidence which demostrate that women participitation is key to ending violence as the success and longevity of peace process. Aswe convene today, we see conflict and war raging around the world: from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, to the brutal Israel occupation of Palestineand horrific siege on Gaza, to civil atrike in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Myanmar, to name but a few words. Escalating arms faces, increased investments in military expenditure and war mangering naratives are dominating politics on a global scale, all this alongside a deepening of toxic patrriarchal norms and reversal of generational gains msde in women's ights- with gender- base violence, military aggression, and militarised respnses to political problems on the rise. With so many seeds of destruction being sown the world over, it may feel as though we are headed for complete destruction as a human family. There is a silver lining, however; women and youth are an untapped rsevoir as powerful agents for change and peace. They are effective force as mediators, negotiators, and peace builders we need. A more inclusive approach to peace making and peace building must be made a priority by world leaders if we are ever to stand a chance of advancing as a human family. Maria Nhlapho