Category Archives: Mideast

Tunis: Strengthening the scientific partnership between Iran and the Arab countries

. . SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT . .

An article from Web Manager Center (translated by CPNN)

Arab and Iranian academics who attended the third international scientific congress of universities in Iran and the Arab world, held in Tunis on November 11-12, stressed the importance of strengthening the cultural and civilizational exchange between the countries of the Arab world to break the stereotypes created by politicians and the media that no longer fit the reality of today.

The conference culminated in the publication of a press release containing scientific recommendations, including the valorization of the fruitful scientific partnership between Arab and Iranian universities and the need to engage in in-depth dialogues to develop scientific strategies capable of strengthening academic relations between both parties for a better and promising future to the Arab-Persian academic partnership.

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

Question for this article:

How can we ensure that science contributes to peace and sustainable development?

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The recommendations also emphasized the importance of science as a human heritage that transcends ethnic conflict, calling for enhanced exchanges and the promotion of objective information and the culture of peace and tolerance.

The participants also called for a real debate among Muslims to better position Islam with other religions and to promote the common scientific heritage to educate young people with common civilizational foundations and spread the Arabic and Persian languages. They also stressed the importance of promoting the efforts of translation as a means of spreading the culture and science of the countries and the intensification of academic meetings and exchanges between Arab and Iranian students, professors and researchers.

It should be noted that this congress, organized under the supervision of the University of Manouba, saw the participation of presidents of Arab universities in Tunisia, Lebanon, Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Iraq and Tunisia. Syria in addition to the participation of 11 Iranian universities.

Conferences on the sidelines of this event focused on ways to strengthen the university partnership between the countries of the Arab world and Iran.

Mideast, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Jordan: Peace through science

. . SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT . .

An editorial from the Jordan Times

His Majesty King Abdullah inaugurated on Tuesday at the Dead Sea the World Science Forum 2017, which this year had “Science for peace” as its theme, a topic strongly supported by this distinguished meeting that normally seeks to highlight the role of science in building and fostering a culture of peace at all levels of society, and the potential of science to create mechanisms that promise peaceful opportunity.


Jordanian Princess Sumaya, chair of the World Science Forum 2017 and president of the Royal Scientific Society, speaks during the opening ceremony of the World Science Forum 2017 in Sweimeh, Jordan, on Nov. 7, 2017. Photo from Xinhua Net

The forum, first held in Hungary in 2003, was attended this year by visiting Hungary President János Ader, who joined some 3,000 scientists, policymakers, Nobel laureates, academics and investors from over 120 countries at this meeting held for the first time in the area.

The King honoured several prominent Jordanian scientists who made remarkable achievements in various fields and said, on the occasion, that knowledge can help realise stability and development for “our world and the future of our generations”.

With so much turmoil and fighting laying the Middle East to waste, it is no wonder that this year’s forum wishes to highlight the role of science in building and fostering peace.

But equally important to achieving peace is food, water and security, as highlighted by the Hungarian president who, mentioning the region’s rich historical lessons, pointed out the reasons this year’s forum focuses on these issues: “If we look at only its past 100 years, we can see that competition for natural resources — like arable land, water and energy — has almost always contributed to conflicts within and between countries. It is no accident that this year’s forum focuses on the issues of food security, water and energy. All three of these areas are fundamental to security.”

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Question for this article:

How can we ensure that science contributes to peace and sustainable development?

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They certainly are, particularly when knowing that, as the president said, 2 billion people have no access to safe drinking water, 4 billion have no access to adequate sanitation, in 36 countries, per capita water supplies have fallen to a critical level and around 80 per cent of waste water is dumped, untreated, into the biosphere, all problems with great potential to create instability or worse.

As such, HRH Princess Sumaya, chairperson of this year’s forum and president of the Royal Scientific Society, expressed hope that the “stark and shared” challenges and “critical needs of our world” can be addressed, “to create a future that is worthy of our human spirit”.

As she also aptly put it, “knowledge is the key to our future, and science and technology must be empowered to acknowledge those truths that are challenged today”.

Indeed, only through knowledge and daring pioneering work can mankind hope to better its lot, harness nature’s bounty and caprices, overcome petty instincts and avoid savage conduct; only thorough scientific knowledge can it understand the world around, live harmoniously and succeed in combating the scourges of our days: radicalism and terrorism.

Only through it can it hope to survive as a species and save this planet so aggressively exploited.

Theoretical physicist, best-selling author and renowned futurist Michio Kaku said it better: “The future belongs to the educated, dreamers and the curious young people… .”

The UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights is now considering articulating a “general comment” on the right to science as a means to upgrade human thinking and intellectual integrity, an issue on which the forum organisers might wish to collaborate with the UN.

Knowledge means power, progress and emancipation. Spreading it is the duty of all those who possess it. The forum is essential to that endeavour.

Mideast, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Qatar: DICID chief highlights role in spreading peace

. TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY .

An article from The Peninsula, Qatar’s Daily Newspaper

Chairman of the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID) Dr Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi highlighted the role of the centre in spreading the culture of peace and coexistence among diverse segments of society, in cooperation with leaders of various religions, during a meeting with a delegation of youth leaders from Europe and America yesterday.

Al Nuaimi noted that the DICID is the institution concerned with interreligious and intercultural dialogue and capacity building in the field of dialogue and culture of peace in Qatar, stressing the center’s great interest in the youth sector and its keenness on involving them in its various activities, both in its annual conferences and in roundtables. Al Nuaimi gave a brief presentation of the center’s various activities, notably its annual Interfaith Dialogue Conference, which brings together people interested in interfaith dialogue, as well as local community roundtables, publications and other activities.

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Question related to this article:
 

How can different faiths work together for understanding and harmony?

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For their part, the members of the youth delegation praised the center’s efforts in consolidating the values of coexistence and dialogue between religions and cultures.

The visit of the young leaders to the DICID comes as part of its activities and interactive programmes, which seek to establish communication and interaction with all cultures, religions and communities, especially with the youth.

The visit also comes as part of the activities of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Fellowship programme aimed at deepening the mutual understanding between the countries of Europe, America, Arab and Islamic countries.

Mideast, TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY

The Elders applaud Palestinian reconciliation; renew call for end to blockade of Gaza

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY .

A press release from The Elders

The Elders warmly welcomed the reconciliation agreement reached by Fatah and Hamas in Cairo last Thursday. The agreement is an essential step towards the full reunification of the West Bank and Gaza, and keeps alive prospects for the peaceful emergence of a Palestinian state.

After 10 years of internal conflict, and several previous failed attempts at reconciliation, the latest developments also hold out the prospect of an end to the blockade of Gaza. During this period, the lives of over two million Gazans have been blighted by three destructive wars and tight restrictions on the movement of people and goods in and out of the territory.

The Elders commended the crucial role played by the Egyptian Government in bringing about this latest – and most promising – reconciliation initiative.

Kofi Annan, Chair of The Elders and former UN Secretary-General, said:

“The restoration of a single authority throughout the occupied territories is long overdue. The feud between Hamas and Fatah has done no good to the Palestinian people and has seriously damaged prospects for the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state. Those in the international community who have rightly decried the absence of Palestinian unity must now seize this opening to push decisively for resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”

Lakhdar Brahimi, a member of The Elders and former Algerian Foreign Minister, commented:

“There are difficult challenges ahead before we can begin to speak of full unity having been restored to Palestinian ranks. Egypt’s constructive role will be needed over the coming weeks and months.”
Supporting a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, along the lines of the two-state solution, has been a key priority for The Elders since the organisation was founded by Nelson Mandela in 2007. Elders’ delegations have visited the region on four occasions, meeting Israeli and Palestinian leaders and supporting their civil societies. The Elders have also spoken out regularly on the urgent need to end the unjust Gaza blockade and restore Palestinian unity.

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

Question related to this article:
DISARMAMENT & SECURITY, Mideast

Caritas Jordan hosts Youth World Peace Forum

. TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY .

An article by Rula Samain from the Jordan Times

Caritas Jordan on Friday [September 22] launched the Youth World Peace Forum (YWPF) under the theme “Now is the time”, with the aim of empowering youth in peacemaking.

More than 400 young participants from 40 countries convened at the American University of Madaba for the two-day event to share their personal experiences and plan initiatives to contribute to a more peaceful world.


More than 400 young participants from 40 countries participated in the Youth World Peace Forum at the American University of Madaba (Photo by Rula Samain)

Caritas, a humanitarian charity that counts 160 members worldwide, is a nongovernmental organisation affiliated with the Catholic Church.

Wael Suleiman, general director of Caritas Jordan, told The Jordan Times that the invitation was a “continuation” of the peace initiative launched by Pope Francis last year, who called all Caritas organisations around the world to spread the message of world peace.

He added that the youth are taught the values of true peace by listening and respecting each other, which also helps them to understand the importance of sharing.

For Suleiman, the message of peace can also be conveyed through art: “Most of the activities involved art, singing, music, dancing, where participants expressed themselves as well as their agonies”.

Suleiman noted that a few days before the forum was held, a special camp was established where participants spent time with Syrian and Iraqi refugees, helping fix some of their houses and organising special programmes for the children.

“This is the beauty of the conference: it served as a platform for all peace initiatives by the young generations so that all, whether Christians and Muslims, can share their experiences”, Suleiman added.

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Question related to this article:
 
Youth initiatives for a culture of peace, How can we ensure they get the attention and funding they deserve?

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The two-day event saw the participation of the YWPF and the Italian project “Non Dalla Guerra”.

YWPF President Carlos Dario said that Jordan was the “right place” to host such an event because of its visible efforts in promoting peace.

He told the Jordan Times that the youth represent “the future” and that adults’ role is to guide and encourage them to work for peace, adding that focusing on proper education was essential.

Giovanni Zambon, founder of Non Dalla Guerra, said that Jordan’s effort in hosting refugees constituted a “model to follow” for other countries.

He added that his organisation, which translates into “not through war”, was born in Jordan three years ago when he visited the Zaatari camp.

“I learnt that donating money is important to help refugees but giving one’s time is even more valuable. Being with the refugees, listening to them and sharing with them taught me a lot about peace. I realised that it starts from within the person itself. Giving is not only about money, time has more of a value,” he explained.

During the event, several institutes held workshops to spread awareness on the value of peace and “spread the seeds of love”.

Among them was the Royal Institute for Interfaith Studies (RIIFS), a nongovernmental organisation that provides a venue for the interdisciplinary study of intercultural and interreligious issues, with the aim of defusing tensions and promoting peace regionally and globally, according to its website.

RIIFS Academic Adviser Amer Alhafi told The Jordan Times that peace is “the essence” of the three Abrahamic religions, and stressed the importance to emulate actions of peace and kindness in our daily lives.

Among the participants was Samer Ishaq, 33, from Syria, Khdija Akjabri, 18, from Oman and Srushti Vasani, 17, from India.

The three agreed that the moments they shared together were extremely valuable, and that even though the path to peace making is not easy, it is not impossible, and they are determined to achieve it.

Mideast, TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY

Arab and Middle Eastern States: International Day of Peace

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

A survey by CPNN

The following 28 events in 21 Arab and Middle Eastern countries were listed in “Google News” during the week of September 21-28 under the key words “International day of peace” and اليوم الدولي للسلام. This also includes some events listed on the websites of the Global Feast for Peace, and event map for the International Day of Peace..


Here are excerpts from the articles.

DJIBOUTI : Under the leadership of Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed, the Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training, in partnership with the City of Djibouti and UNESCO, celebrated International Day of Peace 2017. Members of the government and parliamentarians as well as numerous civilian and military figures took part in the event that took place at the People’s Palace. . . . The Minister of National Education and Vocational Training, Mr. Moustapha Mohamed Mahamoud, spoke “with regard to of all these Yemenites, all these families forced to leave their country after the outbreak of a fratricidal and atrocious war and come to take refuge with us in Obock and in the capital. ” Mr. Moustapha Mohamed Mahamoud added a reference “to the refugees of the camps of Ali-Addé cantoned for almost three decades on the Djiboutian soil”. “With respect to these unfortunate nationals of neighboring countries and towards all the refugees throughout the world, we must give respect, dignity and security.” (translated from the French)

KÉNITRA, MOROCCO : A portfolio of the artistic productions of students from Groupe Scholare Balzac of KÉNITRA to celbrate the International Day of Peace.

NOUAKCHOTT, MAURITANIA : Festival Nouakchott Jazz Plus: 18th to 23rd of September 2017. This festival is intended to be “a great meeting of intercultural exchanges between Mauritanian musicians and those of the sub-region, Europe and the United States. It is part of the promotion of jazz music as a vector of peace, freedom of expression and unity: It carries a message of tolerance and openness to others, for a perfect social cohesion . ”

(Note: From this point on, the events are translated by CPNN from the Arabic original)

ISMAILLIA, EGYPT : The National Council for Women (NWC) will organize a celebration of the International Day of Peace on Wednesday under the patronage of Lieutenant General Mehab Memish, head of the Suez Canal Authority and General Yasin Taher, governor of Ismailia. They will launch a balloon carrying messages “Together against terrorism and extremism” from one of the locomotives of the Suez Canal Authority, in addition to taking part in a cultural celebration at the General Library of Egypt, Sheikh Zayed.

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, EGYPT :The Central Administration of Pioneers in the Ministry of Youth and Sports, under the patronage of the Minister of Youth Eng. Khaled Abdulaziz, carried out the activities of the International Day of Peace in Sharm El-Sheikh under the slogan “Art as the Way of Peace”. Participating in the popular arts exhibition, in the courtyard of the Sahaba mosque in Sharm el-Sheikh, were artists from the departments of youth and sports, in the governorates of Alexandria, Port Said, Ismailia, Minya and Marsa Matruh.

GHARBIA, EGYPT : The National Council for Women in Gharbia Governorate organized a conference in the conference hall of the governorate’s General Directorate entitled “Women Who Make Peace Together against Extremism and Terrorism”, on the occasion of the International Day of Peace. The aim of the conference was to consolidate the role of women in establishing a culture of peace, fighting extremism, stirring brotherly spirit among the people of the homeland, rejecting hate speech, rejecting the other and consolidating the role of women in dealing with the effects of terrorist events and restoring national balance.

AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES : On Thursday, September 21, students of various nationalities from the United Arab Emirates University, through social media, invited the public to participate in the “International Peace Day.”

BAGHDAD, IRAQ : International Day of Peace in the National Theater of Baghdad – video of event.

DOHA, QATAR : Qatar Academy, the world-class baccalaureate school operating under Qatar’s pre-university education, celebrated World Peace Day on September 21 as part of an event that brought together students, faculty, families and board members.

MANAMA, BAHRAIN : Under the patronage of the Minister of Labor and Social Development Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, the United Nations in Bahrain and the Baha’i Social Society organized an evening on the occasion of the International Day of Peace to promote and consolidate the concept of peace, coexistence and human values ​​in support of unity and brotherhood for peace”.

BEIRUT, LEBANON : Under the auspices of the United Nations Information Center in Beirut and the Baddan Cultural Social Club, Media for Peace-MAP will honor the International Day of Peace at a ceremony to showcase young artistic talents on Friday, 29 September from 17:30 to 20:00 : 30 pm, at the Baddan Cultural Social Club, Aley. The event will be held in partnership with the Dafi Charitable Society and the Youth Path, and will be entitled “Join us to convey a message of openness and peace from Lebanon to the world.” The Youth Artistic Talent Show aims to celebrate the International Day of Peace through arts of all kinds. The event is attended by talented young people who sing, dance and play music.

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Question for this article

What has happened this year (2017) for the International Day of Peace?

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ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA : Strengthening the capacity of young people to maintain African peace, improve the economy and promote political participation is important. This was the message of the celebration of the International Day of Peace under the theme “Engaging youth in peacebuilding ” today in the African Union Hall. International organizations, diplomats, human rights defenders and relevant institutions participated in the event. “This slogan has been celebrated to highlight the role of young people in achieving peace and development,” said AU Commissioner for Peace and Security Ismail Shragine.

MADABA, JORDAN : The World Youth Forum at the American University in Madaba started on Friday evening, organized by the Jordanian Caritas Association and the participation of youth delegations from 30 Arab and foreign countries. The opening ceremony was attended by Patriarch Fouad Twal, the Charge d’Affaires of the Papal Embassy in Amman, the Archbishop Mauro Li, the President of the American University in Madaba, Professor Nabil Ayoub, and a number of religious, diplomatic and official figures. . . . . The two-day forum will provide expertise, technical testimonies and paragraphs on peace and various workshops. It is expected that at the end of the conference, the appeal of the world youth for world peace will be issued to participants.

ADEN, YEMEN : The Foundation for Human Rights established an open community meeting on the occasion of World Peace Day at the Victoria Park in Al-Tawhiyyah under the slogan “Peace is our identity … Peace is our culture … Peace is our humanity …”. . . .The youth group of the Foundation for Human Security presented a silent play aimed at supporting the creation of a pro-peace figure to confront the problems and issues in the society of child recruitment, regionalism, hatred, carrying weapons, racism, drugs and other negative phenomena. The events also included the launch of youth messages to the world through the platform of social networking sites to disseminate and promote the culture of peace among young people in the world.

IBB, YEMEN : Students of the Department of Sociology and Social Service at the University of Ibb organized today a speech, artistic and theater event on the occasion of the International Day of Peace under the theme “Strengthening the role of youth in spreading the principle of peace”. The Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Dr. Aref Al-Ra’awi, stressed the importance of this occasion in light of the continuation of the aggression in Yemen. He called it a victory for the blood of the martyrs who were targeted by the aggression. For his part, the head of the meeting, Dr. Abdul Salam al-Faqih stressed the necessity of activating the role of youth in spreading the culture of peace and promoting cohesion among all members of society. The ceremony included artistic and musical passages, songs from the province’s schools, and poems about the importance of peace.

MUKALLA, YEMEN : On the occasion of the International Day of Peace, the city of Mukalla, capital of Hadramout province, on Saturday, 23 September, launched a campaign to promote a culture of peace and renounce extremism. The campaign activities include field visits to schools, institutes and residential areas, artistic presentations and educational lectures aimed at shedding light on the importance of civil peace and rejection of intolerance. “The goal is to spread the culture of love and peace, to promote the values ​​of civil peace in society, reconciliation and tolerance among people,” said Khalil al-Nubi, peace ambassador for the Arabi organization, which organizes the campaign.

SABA, YEMEN : The capital’s secretariat will witness Sunday’s “Peace Yemen 2017” marathon organized by a movement on the occasion of World Peace Day “September 24”. The marathon, which is held under the slogan “Stop the war on Yemen and lift the siege,” includes various age groups, including the elderly, as well as people with special needs, the head of the Save the Prophet Noura al-Jarawi told Yemen News Agency. She said that the race starts from field 17 and ends at the stadium in Al-Dharafi area of ​​downtown SANA’A. She expected the participation of more than a thousand participants from various bodies such as clubs, sports federations, schools, government institutions, civil society organizations and activists.

BENGHAZI, LIBYA : The Libyan Women’s Forum for Peace on the occasion of International Day of Peace presented the documentary “The Hidden Enemy,” which highlights the deadly threat of mines left by armed groups in the residential neighborhoods of Benghazi, Libya’s second largest city. Elements of military engineering for demining. . . . The Libyan Women’s Forum for Peace published a press statement to the media on its website stating that “the problem of mines is a fundamental problem.”

BETHLEHEM, PALESTINE : The Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the Supreme Council of Palestinian Youth and Sports, the Teacher Creativity Center and the Right to Play Foundation have revived the events of the International Day of Peace. It included artistic and sports events and the launching of balloons into the skies of Bethlehem. The students carried banners urging “to promote the values ​​of peace, freedom, justice and salvation from the occupation, stressing their right to live and education in an environment of peace and security.”

AL-ZAATARI REFUGEE CAMP, SYRIA : On the occasion of the International Day of Peace, Khaled Al-Awad, a supervisor and volunteer in Za’tari camp, said: “We are now in Al-Zaatari camp. We are carrying out these activities and activities for world peace and for the children of the world and to stop all that is happening to children and the world from killing and destruction. “We marched on the streets of the camp and raised banners and slogans calling for” peace and love in the world to promote the spirit of brotherhood and peace” . . . . For his part, the Syrian refugee “Ahmed Harb” coordinator of Syria’s technical team tomorrow in Zaatari expressed his joy in this participation and organization of this event in the camp, said: “Syria’s team had a great role tomorrow to revive the occasion by presenting drawings, phrases and banners raised in the march and presenting plays that tell the suffering of the Syrians and the rejection of violence in the world. ”

In addition to the above events, there are a number of events in Latin America and the Caribbean listed on the event map for the International Day of Peace. One is the “Peace Ball” project of ELAZIG, TURKEY which works to get game balls to community leaders, people, foundation, company around the world to help street children and refugee children to play.
Another is “Songs for Peace” from MUSCAT, OMAN which will celebrate the International Day of Peace with a range of songs and readings centred around the theme of peace.

Many cities and communities are members of the International Peace Cities network and the following are listed on the Global Feast Map as celebrating a feast to mark the International Day of Peace. They include TUNIS (TUNISIA), ADDIS ABABA (ETHIOPIA), BENGHAZI (LIBYA), DUBAI (UAE), HARGEISA and MOGADISHU (SOMALIA) and JUBA and NYALA DARFUR in SOUTH SUDAN.

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, Mideast

Mauritania: Festival Nouakchott Jazz Plus: 18th to 23rd of September 2017

… EDUCATION FOR PEACE …

An article from Le Reflet (translated by CPNN)

In order to better know the jazz music in Mauritania, the association “Les Echos du Sahel” has organized this year the jazz festival in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Crafts, the French Institute (IfM) , the Embassy of France, the Embassy of Spain and the Embassy of the United States, also with the support of other associations and economic institutions.

This festival is intended to be “a great meeting of intercultural exchanges between Mauritanian musicians and those of the sub-region, Europe and the United States. It is part of the promotion of jazz music as a vector of peace, freedom of expression and unity: It carries a message of tolerance and openness to others, for a perfect social cohesion . ”

The challenge is also to “create and develop time and space for exchange between cultures through discovery workshops, sharing experiences with professional musicians from Mauritania and abroad. To introduce Mauritian musicians and young people to the practice of jazz, to promote the culture of peace and tolerance in the subregion, in the countries of the Sahel and in the world through the jazz festival and to perpetuate the jazz festival in Mauritania” according to Babi Sarr, secretary general of the” Echos du Sahel “and initiator of the festival of jazz in Mauritania.

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(Click here for a French version of this article)

 

Question related to this article:

What place does music have in the peace movement?

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The program includes: Concerts by Mauritanian and foreign artists, educational workshops between foreign and Mauritanian musicians, an exhibition, lectures and debates, screenings of jazz films and a vibrant tribute to the late Saidou Bâ Banbaado, traditional guitarist, by his son Cheikhou Bâ and the musician Steve Shehan from France.

Among those invited to this cultural event: Kahil El’Zabar and David Murray (USA), Samy Thiébault (France), Steve Shehan (France), Jerez – Texas (Spain), Noura Seymaly (Mauritania), Walfadjiri Orchestra (Mauritania).

As a reminder, the launch of this edition is scheduled for September 18 at 8 pm at the Echos du Sahel. A press conference of the Nouakchott Jazz PLUS Festival 2017 will take place Tuesday, September 19 at 10 am at the Hotel Monotel.

The event will be marked in particular by a concert by Samy Thiebault, on September 19th at the IfM (1,000um / 500 um for the members) at 8 pm, on 21 September a concert at the Ifm at 8 pm with Noura Seymali, Dental Orchestra (Mauritania), Jerez Texas, David Murray and Kahil El’Zabar (USA) (free entry). A dinner concert is scheduled on Friday, September 22 at the Hotel Monotel at 8 pm entrance 10,000 um.

A restitution of the educational workshops with David Murray & Kahil El’Zabar and Mauritanian trainee musicians will be offered on Saturday 23rd September at 8pm at the Echos du Sahel (free admission), the public will also vibrate during this evening to the rhythm of the duo Steve Shehan and Cheikhou Ba to the Echoes of the Sahel.

EDUCATION FOR PEACE, Mideast

Egypt: Women’s Conference in Gharbia organizes “Women’s Peacemaker” conference

. . WOMEN’S EQUALITY . .

An article from Soutalomma (Google translation from original Arabic)

The National Council for Women in Gharbia Governorate organized a conference in the conference hall of the governorate’s General Directorate entitled “Women Who Make Peace Together against Extremism and Terrorism”, on the occasion of the International Day of Peace, in the presence of Mr. Ahmed Saqer, Governor of Al Gharbia, Major General Ahmed Saqr, Governor of Al Gharbia, Dr. Saad Al-Zant, Director of the Center for Strategic Studies and Communication Ethics, and Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim, Dean of the Faculty of Law Tanta University, Dr. Zeinab Abu El Fadl, Professor of Jurisprudence at the Faculty of Arts, Dr. Yasser Qansouh, Professor of Political Philosophy at the Faculty of Arts, and Dr. Rania El Kilani, Assistant Professor of Sociology at the Faculty of Arts and a number of executive leaders at the government level.


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Question for this article

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

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The aim of the conference was to consolidate the role of women in establishing a culture of peace, fighting extremism, stirring brotherly spirit among the people of the homeland, rejecting hate speech, rejecting the other and consolidating the role of women in dealing with the effects of terrorist events and restoring national balance.

Al-Gharbi stressed in his speech the pivotal role of women in consolidating culture of peace and eradicating terrorism and extremism through educating children especially in light of the circumstances and challenges faced by the country, pointing out the need to observe the behavior of children and work on their evaluation.

The Governor of Gharbia praised the role of Dr. Safaa Mara’i, Rapporteur of the National Council for Women in the West Branch in supporting the role of women through continuing courses to raise awareness of women in all fields and to identify the problems of rural women and to present them to the officials to solve them. During the conference, Al-Gharbia in supporting the role of women in Gharbia province and thanked him for his interest in the activities of the Council, pointing out the role of women in society and facing terrorism through proper education.

Mideast, WOMEN'S EQUALITY

Center for Justice and Peacebuilding partners with UNDP and Iraqi youth to build culture of peace

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY .

An article by Lauren Jefferson for the Augusta Free Press

In an Iraqi mall on Valentine’s Day, shoppers were treated to a unique sight. Twenty-eight young people wearing traditional dress from the many cultures in the country congregated to sing, dance, and hand out flowers and balloons with messages of love and co-existence. The event, one of 42 created and implemented by Iraqi youth across Iraq, was to promote peaceful coexistence and tolerance among Iraqi communities struggling through a divisive political climate.

The project brings together Eastern Mennonite University’s Center for Justice and Peacebuilding and the Iraqi al-Amal Association in a multi-phase project that focuses on youth and academics to build a culture of peace in the country.

As key stakeholders in Iraqi social fabric, youth and academics are “seen as instrumental in strengthening social cohesion and promoting civil society initiatives and dialogue between various ethnic and religious groups,” according to the project grant, which is funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Five EMU faculty and alumni are involved: Dr. Alma Abdul-hadi Jadallah, president and managing director of Kommon Denominator, and CJP adjunct faculty; Aala Ali MA ’14, UNDP development officer; Cynthia Nassif MA ’14 of Lebanon , and Najla El Mangoush MA ’15 of Libya, both doctoral students at George Mason University; and Ahmed Tarik MA ’16, of Iraq. Nassif, Mangoush and Tarik designed workshops on conflict resolution in Arabic for both youths and academics. Jadallah provided the first training for youth in October 2016, followed by two others for youth and three for academics from Iraqi universities. While the academic trainings will lead to a peace building curricula that would be shared by universities across Iraq, the youth trainings culminated in a series of community peacebuilding project proposals.

Mangoush appreciated the opportunity to work together with CJP alumni on one project, “practicing our beliefs and skills as peacebuilders from different Arabic countries to assist peace in Iraq.” An important aspect of the project, she adds, is “acknowledging the need to promote peace from a local perspective and through religious tolerance.”

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Question related to this article:

A culture of peace in Iraq, Is it possible?

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More than 563 youth from Najaf, Nineveh and Baghdad applied to participate in the trainings. Seventy-two were selected, with criteria including age, potential, experience, connections, responsibility, diversity and vision.

After the trainings, participants created project proposals that employed sports, arts, social media, listening and dialogue to address a variety of topics: women’s rights, children’s education, displaced persons and host community engagement, interfaith dialogue and conflict resolution workshops, according to Nassif. El Mangoush and Nassif evaluated and selected proposals for funding.

Muntather Hassan, youth program coordinator for the Iraqi al-Amal Association, has attended each training, worked with youth on their proposals, and watched selected projects come to fruition.

A Facebook page that provides a space for artworks created on the theme of peace. Five artists started this project, and they’ve been joined by 50 others.Besides the Valentine’s Day project, other funded projects include:

Visitation programs in Erbil, where Muslim activists visited internally displaced Christian children in Erbil, and in Baghdad, where both Christian and Muslim activists visited Muslim children.

Though Iraq is full of problems, Hassan says young people see a chance to make a difference and to address issues “the older generation can’t see.” They are motivated, he said, by the desire to live a normal life without fear, “ordinary needs that give them motivation.”

“A journey like this comes once a life,” wrote one participant. Another shared that he felt “loved, respected, supported and listened to.” Yet another learned not all Muslims are ISIS.”

“Mohammed came back from Erbil as a different person, a better one,” said one participant’s parents.

About the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding

Eastern Mennonite University’s Center for Justice and Peacebuilding offers graduate programs in restorative justice (the first program of its kind in North America) and conflict transformation, as well as professional development and training for global peacebuilders through several programs: the Summer Peacebuilding Institute, Women’s Peacebuilding Leadership Program, Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience (STAR), and the Zehr Institute for Restorative Justice. CJP’s vision is to prepare, transform, and sustain leaders to create a more just and peaceful world.

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY, Mideast

Members of Parliament from Middle East find innovative solutions to regional water issues

.. DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION ..

Two articles from the The Inter-Parliamentary Union

Members of Parliament from the Middle East, including Israel and Palestine, have declared that access to clean water should not be politicized and should not be used as a weapon in regional conflicts. In a second roundtable, organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s (IPU) Committee on Middle East Questions, MPs from Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, Palestine and the United Arab Emirates have also agreed concrete measures to tackle the water crisis that threatens to further aggravate regional instability.


Members of the IPU Committee on Middle East Questions gathered in Geneva on 6-7 July to find innovative solutions to regional water issues. ©IPU/Jorky

The areas earmarked for action include: mapping those communities most threatened by water scarcity, establishing a regional parliamentary network on water governance and supporting MPs’ on shaping equitable and sustainable legislation on water management.

The roundtable meeting, which took place from 6-7 July, was one of a series of events intended to bring together MPs from the Middle East with water management experts in a bid to help meet the challenge set out in Sustainable Development Goal 6, which calls for viable management of water and sanitation.

Experts from the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), the development organization WaterLex and Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East (SESAME), a Jordan-based group that brings scientists together from across the region, worked with the MPs to identify technological solutions to water safety, availability, accessibility and affordability.

“The Middle East is one of the most water-stressed regions in the world. This is a major contributing factor to the conflicts here. Our aim is to use our joint expertise in technology and policymaking to help relieve a major source of tension and, hopefully, create an environment where peace-building can move ahead,” said Committee President Denise Pascal Allende.

The outcomes of this second round table will be presented to IPU Members at its October Assembly with clear steps for on-the-ground implementation.

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Questions for this article:

How can parliamentarians promote a culture of peace?

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“This round table is the latest effort by IPU to build trust and transform elements that can potentially cause or exacerbate conflict into reasons for co-existence,” said IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong. “The constructive non-political discussions between MPs and experts that occurred throughout this meeting show that regional solutions can be found to regional problems; and, most importantly, that, by uniting different experts and communities through the neutral lens of science, peace can move from an aspiration to concrete reality.”

IPU welcomes new water-sharing deal between Israel and the Palestinian Authority

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) applauds the new agreement between Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Jordan to deliver water to drought-stricken Palestinian communities in the West Bank and Gaza. We acknowledge the contributions of all participating governments, including the US, to address this longstanding humanitarian issue.

The five-year pipeline project will move water from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea. It will deliver 22 million cubic metres of water to the occupied West Bank, and some 10 million will go to Gaza. This agreement builds on the 2013 memorandum of understanding between Israel, Jordan and the Palestinians to construct a water desalination plant at the Red Sea.

This recent water-sharing deal comes on the heels of the Second Roundtable on water organized by IPU’s Committee on Middle East Questions. Areas designated for action following the roundtable include: increasing regional water supply through science and technology, mapping communities most threatened by water scarcity, establishing a regional parliamentary network on water governance and supporting MPs’ on shaping equitable and sustainable legislation on water management.

“As we stated during our Roundtable, water should not be used as a weapon in regional conflicts,” explained IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong. “By depoliticizing access to safe water, we hope that this new deal reinforces other peace-building initiatives such as the one we are leading at the IPU. Together we can reach our common goal to transform factors of conflict into elements of co-existence, cooperation, reconciliation and prosperity.”

DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION, Mideast