International Alert

🚨 New policy paper: making #PeaceAtCOP a first-tier priority in international climate negotiations As COP29 approaches, we're calling for a crucial shift: #ClimateChange and conflict intertwine – it's time global decisions tackle both. 💡 There are ways to address these interdependent challenges simultaneously. 📃 Our latest policy paper, crafted with our partners in the Peace@COP collective, explains how exactly. 👇 We offer practical recommendations on 8 core issues for decision-makers at COP29, including: ✅ Channelling more high-quality climate finance to fragile countries and making it easier to access ✅ Ensuring the green energy transition is just and doesn’t fuel or aggravate conflicts ✅ Tracking and cutting down on military emissions ✅ Amplifying youth voices in climate and peace initiatives 🔗 Read our full recommendations and join us in building a more peaceful, climate-resilient world: https://lnkd.in/eP6CZThh International Alert is proud to be part of the Peace@COP collective. It brings together experts from over 300 organisations across the #peacebuilding, humanitarian and development sectors that are all convinced that the climate fight is a fight for #peace. **** Mercy Corps European Peacebuilding Liaison Office (EPLO) Concordis International UN Climate Change

At the #ABHRForum in Nairobi, we co-organised a session on advancing #peace 🕊️ through responsible business practices in conflict zones. We're honoured to have brought together fantastic experts to explore how businesses, governments, and communities can 🤝 collaborate for economic development and #HumanRights. 📣 Our key message: stronger human rights due diligence benefits everyone. ⬇️ Let's take a closer look at what this means in practice. ➡️ Consider businesses' impact on conflict dynamics and their role in peace processes. As Dorina Prech stressed: "We cannot afford NOT to have conversations around peace in the context of business and human rights, especially when 1️⃣ in 4️⃣ people on the planet are living in fragile and conflict-affected settings." ➡️ If in doubt, carry it out. Human rights due diligence should be a standard business practice in conflict settings. ➡️ Due diligence is cost-effective, ↗️ enhances social licence to operate, and can boost 📈 profits through inclusive community engagement. Chioma Sylvia Inyama shared that "getting human rights due diligence right from the onset makes many conversations easier for companies in high-risk zones." ➡️ Government leadership is essential to monitoring and enforcing responsible business practices. National Action Plans on Business and #HumanRights 🔎 outline strategies to address these challenges holistically. Ethiopia's efforts to develop its own plan set a ✅ positive example for the region. AWEL SULTAN (Abu Mahi) ➡️ #Collaboration is key. Businesses and governments must engage with communities inclusively, but communities should also mobilise their efforts and engage constructively. ➡️ What can companies do right now to ensure their business practices respect human rights? The UN Guiding Principles and International Alert's guidance on conflict-sensitive business offer practical, step-by-step recommendations 👇 that can be implemented immediately. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/en5d7snG 🔗 https://lnkd.in/ekMuJjAm We're grateful to all participants, speakers, partners and Forum organisers. A special thank you goes to UNDP United Nations Global Compact UNDP B+HR and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. As strategic partners of this Forum, we're committed to furthering business and human rights discussions in conflict-affected areas.

Today is #WorldMentalHealthDay, an occasion to remember the crucial role mental health support plays in #peacebuilding efforts. Escalating violence leaves the lives – and minds – of thousands of people shattered. But 🤲 supporting the mental health of affected communities can help them heal from trauma and reconcile across divides without 🔂 relapsing into more violence. 💡 Our "Peace of Mind" report, launched a year ago, remains more relevant than ever in today's volatile landscape. It takes a deep dive into how #MentalHealth interventions can contribute to lasting peace. 🔎 Through our partners, we embedded approaches such as group therapy and healing sessions into our work in Rwanda and Tajikistan to address conflict-related trauma. The outcome? 🤝 Trust and solidarity between people significantly improved. 🕊️ When communities with different points of view (sometimes even a legacy of intense confrontations) came together to talk through their experiences and feelings, it fostered a shared sense of identity and #collaboration on peaceful resolutions. 🗣️ Reduced mental health stigma enabled open and honest conversations about conflict impacts. By integrating mental health support into peacebuilding, we can develop 💪 stronger strategies that address the often-overlooked psychological toll of violence. ➡️ Learn more in our report: https://lnkd.in/ebVjfzb7 💭 Living in peace is also about finding peace of mind. Would you agree and why? Let us know in the comments! #WMHD2024

📢 Economic activity in conflict-affected settings can generate 📈 revenue for companies and governments AND support #Peace and #HumanRights in local communities. 💡 We will unpack how this can be achieved at the 3rd African Business and Human Rights Forum tomorrow. At our session, a great panel of experts will explore how greater human rights due diligence in challenging contexts can create 🤝 win-win situations for all. 📅 Thursday, 10 October ⌚ 9:15 AM EAT (GMT+3) | 7:15 AM UK time 🔗 Register now: https://lnkd.in/eCip6FGG 👇 We’ll also talk about: 🔹 The impact of corporations’ activity on communities in conflict and high-risk zones 🔹 Examples of effective solutions that mitigated harm to individuals and communities 🔹 Benefits of conflict-sensitive business operations 🔹 Best practices in conflict-sensitive human rights due diligence and community participation 🔹 Pathways for collaboration between companies, governments and communities International Alert is proud to be among the strategic partners of the #ABHRForum. This session is brought to you by International Alert, UNDP and United Nations Global Compact with the generous support of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. UNDP B+HR

🔍 The missing link in effective action against #ClimateChange: addressing conflict. The climate crisis isn't just about rising 🌡️ temperatures and 🌀 extreme weather. It's fuelling a dangerous feedback loop 🔁 with global conflict that is both worsening and being worsened by it. Did you know? 🏭 Climate change has influenced up to 20% of armed conflict risk in the last century. 🚀 This figure is set to skyrocket in the coming years. ⚠️ Armed conflicts devastate the #environment: destroying ecosystems, limiting agriculture, and increasing greenhouse gas emissions. 🌍 The impact: ❗ Fragile communities face increased insecurity and conflict risks. ❗ Resource competition, weak governance, and inequality intensify. ❗ Our collective ability to adapt to climate change is severely undermined. But there's hope. At #COP29, we have a critical opportunity to break this cycle. The recent COP28 Declaration on Climate, Relief, Recovery and Peace - signed by over 90 countries - shows we can act 🤲 collectively. ⏳ Now is the time to take it one step further and consider #peace and conflict dimensions in all COP29 decisions. 👉 What’s your take – can we solve the global climate crisis without tackling conflict? Why or why not? #PeaceAtCOP #ClimateAction

✨ Join us next week at the 3rd 🌍 African Business and Human Rights Forum in Nairobi, Kenya, where we'll share expert insights on how businesses can be a force for #peace. In today's global landscape, conflict-affected regions offer 🚀untapped markets and 📈 growth opportunities. However, success in these areas hinges on understanding the local context and working with local communities. 🙌 We believe in win-win solutions. That's why we're partnering with UNDP and United Nations Global Compact to host a hybrid discussion exploring: ➡️ How businesses can balance commercial goals with positive community impact in challenging contexts,  ➡️ In what ways responsible business operations can mitigate risks and increase co-benefits for companies, governments and communities,  ➡️ What effective #HumanRights due diligence looks like and why it needs to be conflict-sensitive. 🎤 Our own Veronica Stratford-Tuke and Dorina Prech from Alert’s Kenya team will join community leaders, business executives, government officials, and UN experts in this crucial conversation. They will also share insights from our Business and Human Rights project, funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. 📅 Mark your calendars: Thursday, 10 October 2024, at 9:15 AM EAT / 7:15 AM UK time. 💻 Want to join virtually? Register now to secure your spot (INDICO account required):  https://lnkd.in/eCip6FGG Team Finland Kenya

❔ What does living with dignity mean to you? To women we're supporting in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, it's about simple things: 🔸 being treated with respect and dignity, 🔸 sustaining their families financially and 🔸 living without fear of violence from their partner or families. 🙆 Our 'Living with Dignity' project empowers women economically but also tackles deeply rooted oppressive patriarchal norms and attitudes towards women within the family and in the wider society. 👉 Here's how it works in practice: ✔️ We work with selected families from both small villages in rural areas and urban settings. ✔️ We engage not only women but also 👫 their husbands and in-laws they're usually moving in with after marriage – because positive change is holistic. ✔️ We provide women with economic opportunities: new practical skills (e.g.🧵sewing or 🌾 farming) and needed resources to start their small businesses, supported by other family members. ✔️ We organise dialogue and non-violent 🤲 communication sessions to help families and broader communities (e.g. local and religious leaders) understand how women's economic activity benefits them all and build respectful relationships. ✔️ We also invite them to reflect on traditional ♂️ ♀️ gender roles (e.g. form a healthier understanding of masculinity that doesn't imply using violence against women). ✔️ We offer #MentalHealth support to help heal trauma caused by violence and abuse. 💡 Result: according to our participants, incidents of violence have dropped 📉 substantially, their mental health considerably 💪 improved, and their financial and food security significantly enhanced. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/etiBbE7K 💭 What do you think is crucial for reducing gender-based violence? Share your thoughts in the comments 👇 #SGBV #WomenEmpowerment

🌐 Webinar alert: Uniting climate, peace and humanitarian efforts Climate, #peacebuilding and humanitarian organisations need each other to effectively tackle the threats posed by 🏭 #ClimateChange. This Thursday, our Climate and Peace Advocacy Advisor Harriet Mackaill-Hill will join colleagues from The Climate and Environment Charter for Humanitarian Organizations, Climate Action Network International, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - IFRC and Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) at a webinar to discuss: 👉 how breaking down silos between different sectors strengthens climate action, 👉 why #COP29’s success depends on collaborative solutions, and 👉 what those might look like Join Harriet and other speakers for this insightful conversation: 📅 3 October 2024 🕛 13:00 - 14:30 UK time / 14:00 - 15:30 CET / 08:00 - 09:30 EST 🔗 Secure your spot here (open to all upon registration): https://lnkd.in/e6KvRxHy 🔎 Context: ◼️ 70% of countries that are most vulnerable to climate change are affected by or at risk of conflict ◼️ Pressures caused by the climate crisis can worsen existing tensions ◼️ In turn, conflict can slow down and hinder climate initiatives. Breaking ❌ this cycle is crucial for achieving COP’s ambitious goals. At the webinar, Harriet will also explore: 📌 Current initiatives the peacebuilding community is engaged in at the intersection of conflict, peace and climate 📌 Steps to advance the COP Declaration on Climate, Relief, Recovery and Peace /with Jacobo Ocharan Alice Baillat Kirsten Hagon

Peaceful and prosperous communities are those where 👩 👩🏾 👵🏻 🧕👧🏽 women can thrive. However, many of them are still far from fulfilling their potential because of gender-based violence. #SGBV Harmful gender norms, #inequality and economic insecurity are among the key reasons its 🔄 cycle continues. When men struggle to find 💼 jobs, working women are often the ones to pay the price, accused of transgressing #gender norms or neglecting their domestic duties. ❌ But it doesn’t have to be this way. In Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, participants in our Living with Dignity project demonstrate that reducing 📉 financial stress on families and promoting peaceful conversations about gender norms and stereotypes can make a huge difference. 👉 Read more to discover how we managed to reduce incidents of violence against women and girls: https://lnkd.in/gHmcPCMS

🙅♀️ 1 in 3 women globally have experienced physical or sexual violence. The situation is even more dire for younger women and those in conflict-affected areas. 🔎 Understanding what triggers this spiral of violence is key to putting an end to it. At International Alert, we’re working to address the linkages between conflict and gender. ❔ What do you believe is the underlying cause of violence against women and girls? 🔹 Is it about socioeconomic disparities, limited access to employment for women, and financial dependence on male family members? 🔹 Or patriarchal attitudes, gender stereotypes and social norms that devalue women and justify and excuse violence as a means of resolving conflicts? 🔹 Does it have to do with a lack of awareness about women's rights and the harmful effects of violence that allows abusive behaviours to continue unchallenged? 🔹 Maybe the reason lies in weak legal frameworks and inadequate law enforcement that leaves perpetrators unpunished and undermines women’s trust in the system? 🔹 Is it all of the above - or none of the above? Tell us your thoughts in the comments 👇