Calvary Church’s Post

The Peacebuilders' Manifesto Has five demands from local peacebuilders. #PeaceStartsHere is the global movement for local peacebuilders, co-created by 10 local peacebuilders. We want to change attitudes and behaviours in the peacebuilding sector.When we are supported by the wider international community we strengthen our local efforts, expanding and protecting the civic spaces we operate in. In consultation with other local peacebuilders, we call on international institutions, Global North governments and NGOs to implement these five tasks #PeaceStartsHere

As the Director of the Association for Participatory Community Development, effective communication with communities and local governments in Ukraine has become even more critical during the war. Local authorities are now handling greater responsibilities, but their capacities have not yet matched the increased demands. Despite various technical assistance projects and government programs, there is still a long way to go in terms of capacity building. Our work focuses on three key areas: 1. Civic Engagement – Strengthening participatory practices and ensuring citizens are involved in local governance. Even in challenging times, protecting democratic values remains a top priority for me and my team. 2. Social Cohesion – Empowering community members with leadership opportunities to encourage active involvement in strategic planning and local development. 3. Support for Vulnerable Groups – Through our humanitarian program, we provide education, shelter support, and psychosocial assistance to those in need. A positive development is the recent growth of our network, with four new communities joining us: Kremenchuk, Gradizhsk, Myrhorod (Poltava region), and Velykopysarivska (Sumy region). This expansion reflects the trust and support we continue to earn in our work. #CommunityDevelopment #CivicEngagement #SocialCohesion #HumanitarianSupport #Ukraine #LocalGovernance #ParticipatoryDemocracy #Leadership #CapacityBuilding

We would like to share with you the results of our joint efforts with 9 community committees over the past four months under the "Dialogue and Community Peace Committees " project. During this period, we successfully intervened to resolve 256 diverse disputes in the areas where these committees operate in rural Deir ez-Zor, ranging from the western town of Al-Kesrah to the eastern city of Al-Shafah. These disputes included violence, inheritance issues, financial disagreements, and disputes related to agricultural land boundaries, among others. The committees' efforts have resulted in bridging the gaps between the conflicting parties, allowing them to engage in constructive dialogues that led to resolving disputes and spreading goodwill instead of conflict and violence. At "Deirna," we firmly believe in the power of dialogue as a means to achieve peace. Through our partnerships with other organizations, we aim, via the "Dialogue and Community Peace Committees" project, to bring about real change in rejecting conflicts and disputes, and to develop mechanisms that facilitate peacebuilding and bridging viewpoints. We thank everyone who contributed to this success, and we look forward to achieving more milestones together. #Syria #North_East_Syria #deirnafordevelopment

To my fellow local peacebuilders, I am reaching out to invite you to join our movement dedicated to us, for us, and those who believe in us. Peace Starts Here is the global movement for local peacebuilders, co-created by yours truly with 9 local peacebuilders across the world Anna Ferreira, Celine Osukwu, Diana Ishaqat, Gatwal Yul, Grace Orao, Le Sen, Lida Minasyan, Luis Alvarado Bruzual, Nishchhal Kharal. We want to change attitudes and behaviours in the peacebuilding sector. The Peacebuilders’ Manifesto is a year-in-the-making document that has been developed by and in consultation with local peacebuilders themselves. The Peacebuilders’ Manifesto demands five changes:    1. Make space for local peacebuilders to lead.  2. Fund more local peacebuilding efforts.  3. Support and strengthen local peacebuilders.  4. Centre peacebuilding around local people.  5. Learn from local peacebuilders. Each demand has been developed by peacebuilders and recommends clear asks for international institutions, Global North governments and NGOs to follow. By supporting the manifesto, you are joining our call to center peacebuilding around local people. Let’s show the world that peace starts here!  Spread the word on social media, with friends and family, and through any other channels you have access to. The more voices we gather, the stronger our message becomes. If you have any questions or would like to join our movement, please reach out! Sign the manifesto here https://lnkd.in/gMk9axfy. Share the manifesto with your colleagues, networks and friends. Remember, peace starts with local peacebuilders and local peacebuilding. #PeaceStartsHere #peace #peacebuilders #peacebuilding #globalcampaign

When we train and empower community members and establish peace peacebuilding platforms we also commit to providing them with all the necessary support for sustainability for lasting impact. Search and its partners, SDN and Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta - PIND and Academic and Associate Peaceworks are currently implementing the Community Centered Approach to Transforming Criminality and Violence in the Niger Delta project in Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta States funded by the European Union in Nigeria #betternigerdelta #EU

How to Include Displaced People in Government Decision-Making: Case Study from Ukraine This case study from Ukraine explores strategies for integrating internally displaced persons (IDPs) into local decision-making through participatory programs. Amidst the ongoing conflict, over 5 million IDPs in Ukraine are now a key focus of community participation efforts. Learn how Ukraine’s Association for Community Participatory Development (ACPD) adapted their approach to foster inclusion, empower local authorities, and build social cohesion during the war. #ParticipatoryDemocracy #IDPs #Ukraine #CivicEngagement /lnkd.in/gne8dBiV

At Strategies for Northern Development (SND), peace is more than just a word—it is a vital pillar of our mission. In the pastoralist communities we serve, peacebuilding and good governance are the foundations upon which sustainable livelihoods and resilience are built. Through our Peace Building and Governance pillar, we work tirelessly to strengthen community cohesion, resolve conflicts, and promote inclusive governance. Our initiatives have empowered local leaders, women, and youth to be active agents of peace, ensuring that disputes are settled peacefully and that communities can thrive together. On this International Day of Peace, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering peace in the Horn of Africa. Let’s continue to work hand-in-hand to create a future where harmony, understanding, and unity prevail. Together, we can build a more peaceful world. ✌️ #InternationalDayOfPeace #SNDforPeace #PastoralistCommunities #PeaceAndGovernance #CommunityCohesion #ResilienceInAction #TogetherForPeace

The Peacebuilders' Manifesto Has five demands from local peacebuilders. #PeaceStartsHere is the global movement for local peacebuilders, co-created by 10 local peacebuilders. We want to change attitudes and behaviours in the peacebuilding sector.When we are supported by the wider international community we strengthen our local efforts, expanding and protecting the civic spaces we operate in. In consultation with other local peacebuilders, we call on international institutions, Global North governments and NGOs to implement these five asks #PeaceStartsHere

Save the date! Sign up for FREE and join us for this VIRTUAL event featuring a screening of our film “The Neighborhood Storyteller,” followed by an insightful panel discussion that examines the fundamental causes of war and displacement. https://lnkd.in/dDPbPK8e Our expert panel will discuss a range of important topics, including the underlying reasons for the refugee crisis, the mechanisms of dehumanisation, the enduring effects of colonization, the pressing need to end oppression, and the systemic barriers that sustain these injustices. Asmaa Rashed, Samar M. Alzeer GMBPsS, Rana Dajani, Hasan Almossa

BRIDGING ETHNIC DIVIDES: HOW SHALOM-SCCRR’S GRASSROOTS INITIATIVES FOSTERED PEACE BETWEEN TURKANA AND POKOT COMMUNITIES By: Austin Macharia. “For years, we lived in fear and distrust. Now, we sit together, plan, and resolve our issues without violence. Shalom- SCCRR has given us the skills and knowledge to forge a peaceful path jointly for future generations.” These words from John Ekaru, an elder from the Turkana community, highlight the profound transformation from fear and distrust to peaceful coexistence. They underscore the potential for change and the hope that Shalom-SCCRR’s work brings in promoting sustainable peace and cooperation between the Turkana and Pokot communities. He observed that Shalom-SCCRR interventions had significantly impacted the two communities. “#Ethnicmistrust and #violentconflicts were largely replaced by community-led #conflictresolution resulting in reconciliation and peaceful coexistence,” he remarks. #PeaceBuilding #ConflictResolution #ShalomSCCRR #CommunityTransformation #SustainablePeace #TurkanaAndPokot #EthnicHarmony #GrassrootsEmpowerment #Reconciliation #CommunityLeadership. Click on the following link to read the article.