The Peace Corner Podcast

In this final episode of Season 7, Rhea Mahanta, founder of The Peacebuilding Project, shares her story. She describes how climate change affects her work as a peace activist and reflects on new multidisciplinary strategies to address the climate-peace nexus. "I feel that not only should issues of economic growth, political and social inequality be dealt with simultaneously, but we also need a radical change in strategy of our current models of growth." The Peace Corner Podcast is a joint initiative of interns at GPPAC, UNOY & CSPPS

私たちのアイデンティティとコミュニティが、活動家としてどのような意味を形作るのでしょうか？創造的な手段や日常生活の中でどのように平和構築者となれるのでしょうか？環境悪化の影響を不均衡に受けながらも、世界中の若い先住民族は、創造的な実践を通じて自らの文化再生と環境保護のために指導的役割を果たしています。 このエピソードでは、日本と世界中でアイヌ文化普及に取り組むアイヌの活動家である関根摩耶（まや）さんと、ハワイパシフィック大学社会福祉学科助教授であり、このエピソードの翻訳をサポートしたヴィンス岡田博士が参加します。摩耶さんの活動のいきさつやアイヌ文化教育者としての考え、地元知識の共有と伝承を通じた世代間のパートナーシップ、そしてアイヌにおける相互尊重である「ウアイヌコㇿ」の重要性について探求します。このエピソードは英語または日本語でお楽しみいただけます。Peace Corner Podcastは、GPPAC、CSPPS、UNOY Peacebuildersのイニシアチブです。 日本語でお聞きの皆様に向けての注釈となりますが、このエピソードではまず、摩耶さんに、アイヌの実践と知識を広めるための有用なツールとしてのYouTubeチャンネルとオンラインプラットフォームの役割についてお聞きします。次に、アイヌのアイデンティティが彼女の活動のアプローチにどのように影響を与えたか、世代間の対話の役割や地域レベルでの知識保護と気候変動への対処、先住民族と地域の活動の役割について探求します。また、歴史的な同化政策がアイヌのコミュニティにどのように影響を与えたか、それらの不正義がどう解決されるべきかについても議論します。最後に、摩耶さんが、気候変動活動に取り組みたい若者やアイヌ文化を学びたい人々に対して、活動を始めるためのアドバイスを提供します。

How do our identity and community shape what it means to be an activist? How can we be peacebuilders in creative ways and in daily life? Despite disproportionately facing the effects of environmental degradation, young indigenous people from across the world are leading the way in advocating for the revitalisation of their heritage and environmental protection through creative practices. In this episode, we are joined by Maya Sekine, an activist of Ainu heritage who works to promote Ainu culture in Japan and around the world, as well as Dr. Vince Okada, Assistant Professor of Social Work at the Hawai'i Pacific University, who assisted with translation for the episode. We explore Maya's journey to becoming an advocate and teacher of Ainu culture, her reflections on her identity, intergenerational partnership through sharing and passing down local knowledge, as well as the importance of mutual respect, or uaynukor in Ainu. You can tune in to this episode either in English or in Japanese.

What do we know about interlinkages between Climate Change and conflicts? Surprisingly, academic research shows that proving that Climate Change triggers conflicts is often challenging. In the newest episode of the #PeaceCornerPodcast, CSPPS intern Victor interviews Clionadh Raleigh, political violence and geography professor and president of the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) Project. They discuss the necessity of considering political factors when thinking about conflicts in the Global South. Tune in to learn more about the deep roots of the herder-farmer conflicts in the Sahel - including land property issues - and how to deal with climate change in conflict-affected settings. The Peace Corner Podcast is an initiative of UNOY, CSPPS & GPPAC

The climate crisis is impacting the whole world, but not everyone is affected in the same way. Indigenous communities are at the forefront of the battle against climate change, trying to make their voices heard by institutions and decision-making bodies. In this new episode of The Peace Corner Podcast, UNOY Communications Officer Francesca Paniccia talks to Dayana Blanco Quiroga, Project Coordinator at Pueblos de Montaña Foundation, Aymara indigenous organisation about their efforts to find sustainable solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change. Based in Oruro, Bolivia, the organisation combines indigenous and scientific knowledge to help the community overcome the consequences of climate events. The Peace Corner Podcast is an initiative of GPPAC, CSPPS & UNOY Peacebuilders

From the Sahel to the Arctic, the impact of climate change is being felt around the world. But how is it linked to violent conflict? Understanding the connection between the two is more important now than ever. Join UNOY Fundraising Officer Sumaiya Tanim as she chats with Katongo Seyuba, a young researcher on Climate Change, Development & Sustainability on the latest episode of Peace Corner Podcast to learn about his research on the link between climate change and conflict, and the policy implications for peacebuilding efforts. Katongo Seyuba is currently working as a Research Assistant with the Climate Change and Risk Program at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The Peace Corner Podcast is an initiative of GPPAC, CSPPS & UNOY Peacebuilders

In this new episode, we learn from Nishanie Jayamaha, who brings a humanitarian perspective to the discussion. Are you curious to hear about how the different sectors are inter-connected? Are you interested in learning more about the implications of connecting climate change as a direct driver to conflict? Tune in to hear more ! Nishanie Jayamaha is the Learning and Climate Change Coordinator at ICVA and has over 20 years of experience working in the humanitarian and conflict fields in complex emergency contexts. Bringing into light the challenges of conflict, climate change, displacement, food insecurity, she highlights the need for a change and working together across sectors. The Peace Corner Podcast is an initiative of GPPAC, CSPPS & UNOY Peacebuilders

In this episode, Beatrice talks to Marion Akiteng from CECORE Uganda, who shares her experience in developing and piloting the GPPAC Step-by-Step Guide to document, assess, and address climate security challenges at the local level. What for? To design strategies for mitigating and adapting to climate risks. Hear from Marion how communities develop local indicators and find out more about their value in addressing climate risks. Marion also talks about the crucial role local women and young people play in driving local climate action. Tune in for more! The Peace Corner Podcast is an initiative of GPPAC, CSPPS & UNOY Peacebuilders

Join Aziza and Ali Joma in the latest episode of the #PeaceCorner Podcast to explore the impacts of climate change on the community in Afghanistan, and how young climate activists are contributing to climate action and change. Ali Joma Raeesi is a young climate activist who has been working on climate change issues since his university days. He is the CEO of Avisar organization for research and water resource management in Afghanistan. In this episode, he discusses how climate change has affected Afghanistan's vulnerable community; 80% of the country's population depends on subsistence agriculture and the country's population is also currently facing a dire economic and political situation. Don't miss this insightful conversation on the intersection of water resource management, climate change, and youth activism. Tune in to the #PeaceCorner Podcast now! The Peace Corner Podcast is an initiative of GPPAC, CSPPS & UNOY Peacebuilders

Generation climate: What is the impact of conflict and climate change on vulnerable communities in Yemen? What is the role of youth in building community resilience to changing climate patterns? Tune in to join the discussion of Charis and Olla Alsakkaf and deep dive into the role of youth mediators as valuable contributors to climate-action. Olla Alsakkaf is a peace and climate activist from Yemen, and chairperson of Peace Environment organisation. Having witnessed first-hand the implications of the on-going crisis in Yemen, she describes the importance of adequately addressing the intersection between conflict and climate change, while giving young people the opportunity to take the lead and be at the forefront of change.

Climate action must be channelled through feminist and civil society networks who have the local expertise on climate peace and security. Sharon Bhagwan-Rolls has over 30 years of experience in feminist movements. She is part of the #ShiftingThePowerCoalition - a feminist alliance of pacific women-led organisations driving climate justice and humanitarian action. Peacebuilding should not just be regarded as a project of development partners. To sustain their support they have to ensure localised peacebuilding and ask: “How do we get more money to our partners on the ground?” Tune into this episode to learn from Sharon about the shared vision of feminist grassroots peacebuilders for climate justice in the Pacific Island Countries. The Peace Corner Podcast is an initiative of GPPAC, CSPPS & UNOY Peacebuilders

It is quite evident that climate change is very much a global issue. How we live and work together in communities and cities can have a huge impact in tackling climate change. Some believe that small scale projects do not positively combat the effects of climate change, others believe that solutions suited to the local context is one of the best ways forward. Join us in discussing this topic with Nepalese climate youth activist Lakshmi Sapkota, where we delve deeper into the role of community level interventions in Nepal and how climate change is conceptualised and understood within the South Asian region. The Peace Corner Podcast is an initiative of GPPAC, CSPPS & UNOY Peacebuilders

La région de l'Extrême Nord du Cameroun est la région plus touchée par le changement climatique, la plus pauvre et la moins scolarisée du pays. C'est aussi la région dans laquelle Marthe Wandou a concentré ses efforts depuis les années 1990 avec son association ALDEPA (Action locale pour un développement participatif et autogéré). Les activités de l'association ont évolué avec le contexte sécuritaire, en raison de l'expansion de Boko Haram dans la région du lac Tchad depuis 2013 et du conflit anglophone qui a débuté il y a plus de cinq ans. Dans cet épisode, Marthe nous raconte comment elle lutte chaque jour depuis plus de 20 ans pour faire évoluer les mentalités sur les questions de genre en adoptant une vision holistique qui intègre tous les pans de la société camerounaise: les victimes de violences basées sur le genre, les familles, les leaders communautaires et religieux, les jeunes… ALDEPA a ainsi développé des outils innovants et basés sur la communauté dans laquelle ils sont implantés, afin de créer des mécanismes communautaires de prévention de l'extrémisme violent et de protection contre les violences faites aux femmes et filles qui vivent en situations de conflit. Écoutez cet épisode pour en savoir plus sur le contexte camerounais et les activités de Marthe, lauréate 2021 du Right Livelihood Award! *** Community Strength Against Gender-Based Violence: The Example of ALDEPA in Cameroon The Far North region of Cameroon is the region with the highest levels of poverty and the lowest levels of education in the country. It is also the region in which Marthe Wandou has concentrated her efforts since the 1990s with her association ALDEPA (Action locale pour un développement participatif et autogéré). The association's activities have evolved with the security context, due to the expansion of Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region since 2013 and the Anglophone conflict that started more than five years ago. In this episode, Marthe tells us how she has been fighting every day for more than 20 years to change mentalities on gender issues by adopting a holistic vision that integrates all parts of Cameroonian society: victims of gender-based violence, families, community and religious leaders, young people... ALDEPA has thus developed innovative tools based on the community in which they are implemented, in order to create community mechanisms for the prevention of violent extremism and protection from violence against women and girls living in conflict-affected settings. Listen to this episode to learn more about the Cameroonian context and the activities of Marthe, the 2021 Right Livelihood Award winner! Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

Peace is personal; part of demystifying peacebuilding is recognising the agency of young people who are building and sustaining peace in their communities, and speaking up against injustices and acknowledging their role as peacebuilders. In this episode of the Peace Corner, Freya from UNOY Peacebuilders sat down with Anbid Zaman, LGBTQIA+ human rights activist, and discussed intersectionality, stereotypes and moving beyond binary gender identities in peacebuilding. Peace, just like conflict, is highly gendered. Assumptions about who is peaceful and who is violent rely on stereotypes. Young peacebuilders come from different backgrounds, work on different issues, and have intersectional identities. Stereotypical assumptions about young people lead to the exclusion and discrimination of youth. In order to ensure their participation, we need to be aware of the structures that lead to their exclusion, open up spaces, and unite in solidarity with young people who cannot be in the room. Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

After years of confrontation and diplomatic tensions, Ukraine was invaded by Russia on 24 February 2022. The war has severely impacted social cohesion, community security, and the resilience of local communities, especially women and girls. This episode is structured in two interrelated parts: the first part is designed to highlight the role of women in peacebuilding, while the second part, more intimate, focuses on women's daily lives and perceptions during the current crisis. The podcast traces the life of a woman peacebuilder, who is committed to youth in Ukraine through local and international projects. The promotion of democratic and human rights, which was at the heart of her daily work in 2011; from 2014 onwards, due to the deteriorating security situation in Ukraine, Yuliya's work turned to conflict transformation and the better inclusion of young people in peacebuilding initiatives. The episode addresses the harsh psychological reality of war and the place of women as well as mothers in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. In sum, Yuliya describes the suffering of women and children from the violence of the conflict and the taboo of sexual violences as a weapon of war. Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com. * Après des années de confrontation et de tensions diplomatiques, l'Ukraine a été envahie par la Russie le 24 février 2022. La guerre a donc gravement affecté la cohésion sociale, la sécurité des communautés et la résilience des communautés locales, en particulier des femmes et des filles. Cet épisode est structuré en deux parties interdépendantes : la première partie vise à mettre en lumière le rôle des femmes dans la consolidation de la paix, tandis que la seconde partie, plus intime, se concentre sur le quotidien et les perceptions des femmes durant la crise actuelle. En effet, le podcast retrace la vie d'une femme bâtisseuse de paix qui a décidé de s'engager auprès des jeunes en Ukraine à travers des projets locaux et internationaux. La promotion des droits démocratiques et humains, qui était au cœur de son travail quotidien en 2011, s'est soudainement tournée vers la transformation des conflits et la meilleure inclusion des jeunes dans les initiatives de construction de la paix à partir de 2014, en raison de la détérioration de la situation sécuritaire en Ukraine. Enfin, l'entretien aborde la dure réalité psychologique de la guerre et la place des femmes, ainsi que des mères, dans le conflit russo-ukrainien. Globalement, elle décrit la souffrance des femmes et des enfants face à la violence des combats et le tabou des violences sexuelles comme arme de guerre.

Part of demystifying peacebuilding is recognising the agency of young people, who are building and sustaining peace in their communities, and speaking up against injustices. In this episode, Shreya from UNOY Peacebuilders sat down with Ufra Mir, a peace psychologist from Kashmir, to discuss the nexus between mental health, decolonising peacebuilding, and Ufra's experiences as a woman peacebuilder in Kashmir. Kashmir has increasingly come to be a militarised and patriarchal conflict zone, where the word ‘peace' has become a privilege given the context. In such situations, peacebuilding often needs to start from scratch, rebuilding communities socially, economically, as well as mentally and physically, and where a gender-inclusive mental health lens is crucial. Moreover, especially in the context of South Asia, it is important to understand that decolonising peacebuilding spaces is also equally important to consider when we talk about peace psychology. Peace is a process, not a product, and narratives should be centred around bringing to light the importance of doing psycho-social conflict resolution and peacebuilding work in places such as Kashmir. Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

Despite the wealth of evidence highlighting the benefits that investing in women and youth can bring in terms of conflict prevention, crisis response, and peace, the failure to allocate sufficient resources and funds has been perhaps the most serious and persistent obstacle to the implementation of the WPS and YPS agendas. Moreover, research shows a consistent, striking disparity between policy commitments to gender equality and women's empowerment, and the financial allocations to achieve them. Saumya is the co-founder and CEO of Youth for Peace International, a youth-led peacebuilding organisation in India. As a social entrepreneur, peacebuilder, and international trainer, Saumya has been working towards building a peaceful world by empowering young individuals and creating a sustainable society. In this episode, we discuss Saumya's experiences accessing resources as a young peacebuilder; she shares what needs to change in the donor community to ensure an enabling environment for young women peacebuilders, and an ideal future where all members of society have equal opportunities to achieve and sustain peace. Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

In January 2020, the Mexican government announced that it would implement a Feminist Foreign Policy and in January 2021 Mexico presented its first National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace and Security (WPS). Both documents claim to put women and marginalised communities at the centre of their approach to international affairs and security. In this episode, Dinorah sat down with Ana and Daniela—all Mexican women—to discuss the implications and contradictions of these first attempts of Mexico to implement the WPS Agenda in a country where more than 10 women are lethally killed every day and with extreme levels of violence against journalists, LGBTQ+, afro descendants, and other marginalised identities. Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

Rwanda leads the world with the largest share of women in the national legislature; it's arguably the number one country for women in politics. This has led me to wonder whether and how traditional gender roles are challenged and/or transformed in times of (post-)conflict. This is a relevant question as times are changing, and with that, there is also a need for the transformation of traditional and outdated roles that have been imposed on us by generations that do not exist anymore. The expectations of gender roles are not limited to the experiences of women, but also to men and gender diverse people, who are often overlooked in the gender discourse. Can gender roles transform and how? In this episode, Sara Sadrizadeh sits down with Dorsa Babaei—Co-Director of PeaceMentors, a youth-led initiative that raises awareness and trains young people in peacebuilding, intercultural and interfaith dialogue, social inclusion, and conflict resolution—to explore how she got into peacebuilding, and how her gender has influenced her career. Moreover, she shares her experience working with people in a post-conflict society and sheds light on the traditional expectations set out for all genders. This episode shows that even though traditional gender roles can remain intact, there is also space for change and transformation, which individuals can shape to their own liking. Tune in to hear Dorsa and I share our thoughts on today's topic. For more on the Ted Talk mentioned throughout this episode, visit: https://www.ted.com/talks/deepa_narayan_7_beliefs_that_can_silence_women_and_how_to_unlearn_them. Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

We see gender relations play out everyday in our own contexts and societies: how the military is considered masculine; how care jobs are considered feminine; how we expect something else from fathers than we do from mothers; how positions of power are often held by men, but the consequences are often felt by women and gender diverse people. Every day we learn about gender relations and how they form us and our society. We become gender experts by looking at those gender relations we have always considered to be natural or logical, and to scrutinise them. In this episode of the Peace Corner Podcast, Yvet Voppen and Henri Myrttinen talk about how local peacebuilders are those gender experts that we need to listen to if we want to create meaningful and sustainable peace, for everyone, regardless of gender. And while gender is often associated with girls and women, in this episode we shine a light on masculinity and diverse sexual orientations and gender identities in relation to peacebuilding. Learn how to listen to your own expertise on gender in your own context and how this relates to the bigger peacebuilding sector. Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

In South Sudan, harmful cultural practices lock women and girls into roles where they are expected to have certain responsibilities. They face many challenges and are deprived of basic human rights, which they are not even aware of. There is an urgent need to raise awareness and create a safe space for women to be able to speak up on the many challenges they face and how they wish to see change happen in their communities. This includes their participation in decision-making and peacebuilding processes. Nyachangkuoth Tai—peace activist, human rights defender, and co-founder of The Mother Care Organization, and Gender and Social Justice Manager at Assistance Mission for Africa (AMA)—sees gender equality and peace as a right, not a privilege. Women's inclusion is absolutely necessary if peace is to be reached. Nyachangkuoth has been advocating for the inclusion and conducting training on mentorship programs, for women to understand their rights and capabilities and thus educate the coming generations. In her work, she has also been reaching out to men and boys to educate them on gender issues and on power relations for them to understand that empowering women does not reduce men's rights. Tune in to learn more about her initiatives. Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

In Yemen, the violence of the war tearing the country apart since late 2014 has amplified the already deeply entrenched gender inequalities. Child marriage and domestic violence cases are recorded in climbing numbers. In spite of this, women on the ground are showing us the power of advocacy to challenge discriminatory practices in their country. Alaa Al-Eryani is a prominent Yemeni gender equality activist, raising awareness on the need for more equal rights and opportunities for women in Yemen. In this episode, Clémentine Dupont from UNOY sits down with Alaa Al-Eryani, the founder of the first Yemeni feminist online platform, to discuss the power of feminist advocacy to challenge norms, the intersections of gender with peace and security issues, and the contributions of art to peace. Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

While gender and climate change are often viewed as independent fields with isolated challenges, the relationship between them are in fact more deeply intertwined than ever before. With the acceleration of climate change, the rise of climate-induced conflict and environmental insecurity have also begun to rear their heads. It's no secret that conflict, scarcity, and instability often more heavily affect women and marginalised communities. Now, with the urgency of climate change, how are the threads of gender dynamics woven throughout this pressing global crisis? Cambria Khayat is a young advocate for the reversal of climate change and is currently a student of economics, international studies, and peace and conflict studies. In this episode, Cambria breaks down the straightforward yet multifaceted ways in which gender and climate change intersect, using highly relevant examples to show that these challenges are not separate fights but instead two sides of the same coin. Cambria speaks of how climate change impact can pose threats to peace and security, and classifies climate change as a form of invisible violence with a generational impact that worsens over time. This episode shows us that the time for change is now, and that, if already existing forms of resistance, resilience, and climate mitigation strategies are harnessed, we can turn this crisis around! Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

After a tumultuous decade, marked by two civil wars, a permanent ceasefire was signed in Libya in October 2020. In early 2021, the UN-led Libyan Political Dialogue Forum assigned a new interim government, the Government of National Unity, in an attempt to stabilise the political scene and to organise parliamentary and presidential elections on the 24th December 2021. In preparation for the elections, we sat down with Inas Miloud, an indigenous feminist activist from the Amazigh community in Libya. Inas is the co-founder and currently Co-Executive Director of Tamazight Women's Movement, an intersectional organization that works to address gender, youth and indigenous people's inequalities in Libya. Her work has been particularly focused on gender, peace and security, militarization, indigenous issues, and intersectionality. In this episode, we discuss how Inas became involved in peacebuilding and what needs to be demystified in this field. We hear about Inas' stories as an indigenous activist, her work with the Tamazight Women's Movement, and her hopes for the future of Libya. Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

Five years after the historic adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR)2250 on Youth, Peace and Security (YPS), where are we on the implementation of the agenda? In this pod, Gwedolyn Myers discusses the Liberian youth-led initiatives and the work of Messengers of Peace-Liberia to generate conducive environments for youth inclusion at the local level, as well as the challenges they have been facing. Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

[English text below!] Le maintien de la sécurité environnementale et de la paix est le plus important défi auquel l'humanité n'a jamais fait face. Or, ils sont tous deux inextricablement liés. Cette double conjoncture aggrave les difficultés de manière quotidienne dans la région du Sahel. Les changements climatiques sont l'une des causes de la Guerre du Sahel ainsi que de la recrudescence du terrorisme. Ils provoquent aussi des conflits autour de ressources naturelles, génèrent des maladies tuant des milliers de personnes chaque année, affectent de manière critique la sécurité nutritionnelle, la pauvreté et les sources d'énergie. Au milieu de cette situation très complexe, l'ONG Espaces Verts du Sahel (EVS - du Tchad, mais aussi au Cameroun, Burkina Faso, Mali et Niger) a accompli un impressionnant travail de formation de centaines de (très) jeunes-experts à répondre de manière proactive aux problématiques environnementales. Avec eux, l'ONG a réussi à conduire d'impressionnants efforts de plaidoyer auprès de hautes sphères politiques nationales et internationales, stimulant du changement vers la préservation de l'environnement et une paix durable. Joël Yodoyman, coordinateur de l'ONG et membre de l'Équipe-Pays de la CSPPS au Tchad, souhaite vous parler, auditeurs du Podcast, alors écoutez cet épisode pour recevoir son important message ! PS : Nous sommes heureux de présenter un premier épisode en français, pour un Peace Corner Podcast plus inclusif ! *** Environment and Peace Relations in the Sahel: Youth Leading Change The safeguarding of environmental security and peace is the greatest challenge humanity has ever faced. More importantly, they are inextricably bound together. This dual predicament intensifies the struggle in the Sahel region daily. Climate change is one of the causes of both the Sahel War as well as a surge in terrorism. It also causes conflicts over natural resources, generates disease outbreaks, which kill thousands of people every year and critically affects nutritional security, poverty and access to energy. Amid this highly challenging situation, the NGO Espaces Verts du Sahel (EVS - based in Chad, but also in Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger) has accomplished the outstanding work of training hundreds of (very) young experts to respond proactively to environmental challenges. The NGO has succeeded in conducting impressive advocacy efforts at the highest national and international political levels, stimulating change towards a sustainable environment and peace. Joel Yodoyman, coordinator of the NGO and member of the CSPPS Country Team in Chad, is looking forward to talking to you, so tune in to catch his powerful message! P.S.: We are happy to present this first French-speaking episode in a bid to diversify towards the Peace Corner Podcast! Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

For centuries, the transgender community across India has been battling for basic livelihood, dignity and social acceptance. In 2014, the Supreme Court of India finally recognised the transgender community's civil rights in the country. Kalki Subramaniam was one of the most prominent activists behind this milestone. In this episode of the Peace Corner Podcast, Mori Plaschinski from UNOY sits down with transgender activist and artist Kalki Subramaniam to discuss how art can help to advocate for gender diversity and trans rights in India and worldwide. Through Kalki's “artivism” we learn about the role of trans people as changemakers and their journeys to achieving equality, safety, peace and well-being for their communities. Tune in to discover how performance and art have been key pieces for LGBT+ peacebuilding in Tamilnadu-India, and beyond! Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

We know the same-old story. A violent conflict breaks out and international interveners come rushing to support peace in the country. But oftentimes, this leads to a short term ‘fix' and even more chaos returns with monstrous damage to the people. What we often tend to forget, is that locals know best. Local peacebuilders and ordinary citizens know best what the root causes and solutions are to the violence that is affecting them. But why then are they systematically pushed aside in offering solutions? And why do youth and women have to try so hard to reach the decision-making level in spite of seemingly global consensus on the importance of their voices? In this live launch episode of a fresh Peace Corner season, we are starting our journey with award-winning peacebuilding author and researcher, Séverine Autesserre, and powerhouse changemaker, Shadi Rouhshahbaz. Make sure to tune in and subscribe! Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

Strong gender stereotypes plague the participation of Jordanian women in daily life. Not only strongly ingrained cultural perceptions, but infrastructure and legislative measures limit women's ability to fully contribute to society. The lack of gender-friendly facilities and child care outside of the capital, prevent women from even stepping into the workplace. How can meaningful economic and political participation be achieved when so many face these barriers? Fatema of GPPAC sat down with peacebuilder Sanaa Albanawi of the Jordanian National Commission of Women to discuss women's participation in the Middle East and North Africa. Great improvements can be seen, but what can help to break these cultural barriers? Tune in to hear how for instance interactive theatre can raise awareness for women's issues and bring Jordan one step closer towards equality. Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

Colombia has always been an interesting case-study in the peacebuilding field. Since 2016, a lot of optimism exists after having reached a peace agreement with the FARC. However, the fragile peace faces many challenges. The COVID-19 outbreak has deepened the already existing problems, affecting disproportionately the rural areas. In the midst of a crisis, there are always opportunities. La Paz Querida is a group of citizens convinced that a peaceful future is possible for Colombia. In this episode, Carlos from UNOY Peacebuilders sat with Dr. Carlos Lemoine and Dr. Gabriel Murillo, members of LPQ, to discuss their work in promoting a culture of peace and a new ethic based on human dignity. They are making this happen by promoting dialogue and advocating for sustainable social policies to protect the most vulnerable. Tune in to listen to their stories and learn about their efforts to build a culture of peace in Colombia.

Sierra Leone only has 2,028 cases of COVID-19. The experience of the Ebola epidemic in 2014-2016, shaped how the West African nation approaches the virus. The same is true for the brutal civil war, which has led to many people wanting to maintain a culture of peace and stability in the country. In both cases, youth has been at the forefront of change. Young people have taken the lead in sensitising people on the measures to prevent COVID-19 and have brought peacebuilding and humanitarian support together. But what does this look like? On the Peace Corner podcast, Caitríona from GPPAC sat down with Marius Kargbo, from Young Leaders Sierra Leone Network, to learn about the role they have played in helping their communities in countering fake news, accessing proper prevention information and how COVID-19 can become an opportunity to build a more peaceful world. Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

In Uganda, the marginalised, such as youth and women, are feeling the effects of the pandemic the most. Many people are facing hunger, as they solely depend on the informal sector to earn their keep and provide for their families. As a result, domestic violence has soared and the risk of increased armed violence is looming. Natalie of GPPAC sat down with returning guest Patrick Bwire, a project officer at CECORE in Uganda. Whilst the pandemic has seriously affected his work, he has been able to give a voice to the marginalised. In this pod, Patrick dives into the intersectionality between peace and development. He argues that peace shouldn't be left behind, because it is the bedrock for positive changes to happen in Uganda. Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

In 2018, Colombia had over 7 million internally displaced people. With lockdowns all over the world, it is the most vulnerable and marginalised communities that are the most affected. This is the case in Colombia. How can we change that to build a diverse and equality society for all? Alessia from UNOY wanted to find out, so she sat down with Diego Garzon, the co-founder and project leader of Multicultural. Through his work at Multicultural, he focuses on empowering young people from marginalised communities in Colombia through educational, social and cultural activities. In this episode of the Peace Corner podcast, we discuss how empowering young people is key to creating a culture of peace in Colombia. Beyond that, we take a deep dive into the problems faced by IDPs and other marginalised communities as well as the challenges they face during this pandemic. Check out some of the music videos from Multicultural: https://youtu.be/7Vsi6vYtt0o, https://youtu.be/ayKbKh-gkh0 , https://youtu.be/xpO7g8jCvOA Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

With over 349,300 cases of COVID-19 and 39,485 related deaths, Mexico has felt the harsh reality and impact of this pandemic. In Mexico, just like in other places across the globe, vulnerable communities are disproportionately impacted by this deadly virus. Not only are they at high risk, but they are not given the space to voice these concerns. How are indigenous communities impacted in Mexico? What are their predefined roles in society and how can this be changed? Young peacebuilders Daniel Martín and Maria Francisca Garcés Ocampo of Centro de Colaboración Cívica (CCC) in Mexico dialed in to discuss giving a voice to ethnic minorities, the presence of racism in Mexico and how spaces can be build for change. Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

The 25th May 2020 is a date that will go down in history. The tragic death of George Floyd at the hands of the police, marked the beginning of a call for racial justice and an end to police brutality. Despite the threat posed by COVID-19, protestors took to the streets in over 4,000 cities worldwide. United in their message, they continue their mission for change. But what does this movement mean for the future? What do we as societies need to feel safe? For the Peace Corner podcast, Zander of +Peace sat down with peacebuilder and human security expert Jon Rudy to discuss how we can transform societies to prioritise human security and to eradicate structural violence. Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

Over 70% of the Zimbabwean population are youth. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government imposed lockdown saw the closure of the informal sector. With the majority of the youth in Zimbabwe employed here, and without savings, the daily struggle to feed their families intensified. Tensions in their densely populated living spaces grew. Extortionate prices of mobile data heightened the risk of contracting COVID-19 as access to information and guidance on social distancing could not be obtained. But how can civil society organisations help to reach these vulnerable populations? How can previously active youth peacebuilders continue their fundamental work? Young peacebuilder Nqobile Moyo, the director of Voices In the Vision for Africa (VIVA), dialed into the podcast to lay his cards on the table. Tune in to hear how his personal journey and pledge to support the youth in the COVID-19 response is playing out in Zimbabwe. Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

7 decades of civil war and military oppression have swept Myanmar. Suppression of the Rohingya, a stateless ethnic minority, has been so severe, they are one of the most persecuted minorities in the world. During the COVID-19 pandemic, despite calls for a nationwide ceasefire, clashes between the military and the Rohingya have continued. On the 10th of May, the government set their own ceasefire, but what did this entail? Increased vulnerabilities have further exacerbated conditions for previously displaced refugees. 15,000 Rohingya face quarantine in already crowded camps. With the suppression of human rights activists and the media, how can these issues be heard and, most importantly, resolved? Giving a voice to those who are silenced and suppressed, we are joined by peace activists Khin Ohmar, Chair of the Board of Progressive Voice Myanmar, and Marc Batac from Initiatives for International Dialogue for a new episode of the Peace Corner podcast. Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

There are 1.8 billion young people between the ages of 15 and 29 in the world today. Youth are often overlooked and pushed aside, yet, are one of the most active agents for peace and security. Young people are often key figures in political or social movements. However, this leadership rarely translates into being able to actively represent themselves at the decision making level. Five years after the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security, how are young people continuing to push beyond policy and what are the challenges and opportunities ahead of us? What kind of opportunities and challenges has COVID-19 created for young peacebuilders around the world? Zander at +Peace sat down with Jordan Stevenson at STAND: the Student-Led movement to end mass atrocities & Mena Ayazi at Search for Common Ground. On today's episode, we dive deeper into Jordan & Mena's work on US Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) legislation and working in the peacebuilding field. Interested in more on YPS? Dive into: US YPS Act: https://www.sfcg.org/youth-peace-security-act/ STAND: https://standnow.org/2020/03/10/yps-act/ A Budding Bill to Support Youth: www.spokesman.com/stories/2020/mar/15/budding-bill-support-youth/%3famp-content=amp Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

Whilst COVID-19 rapidly spreads across the globe, misinformation is filling up millions of feeds and web pages. A dangerous trend that is also often seen in conflicts. Accurate information informs decisions and creates a space for learning. So, how can we break through the deafening noise of fake news and the overload of information? How can readily available information empower youth and women to create peace in their societies? Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

Promises of peace followed 50 years of armed conflict in Colombia. However whispers of rearmament scuttle through the streets. Not only is the reality of conflict faced in Colombia, but also the existence of massive social injustices. Within Latin America, second only to Haiti, Colombians face the most significant inequalities. Discussion of pension reforms at Congress sparked mass protests in November 2018. Called by unions and student groups, large numbers of youth took to the streets. The FARCs removal from the conflict created space for the youth to reflect on social inequities and come forward, together, for this cause. But how have the youth of Colombia been affected by the peace agreement and have their needs been met? Juan Manuel Martinez, Founder and Partner of Umain, a consultancy group for transitional justice, joined the podcast to shed some light on these events. Juan tells us how the youth in rural areas were most significantly impacted by the events in Colombia. But hope and positive action prevails! Juan praises the overwhelming support of the youth and how this pushed the peace agreement across the line. With youth raising issues surrounding their rights, what is the Colombia's response? To find out, tune in here! Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

Everyday, we are reminded of the war and violent conflict that surrounds us. Televisions, radios and newspapers flood us with the daily reality of humanity at war. But what remains largely invisible are those at the forefront of conflict -peacebuilders, striving for peace. For many it is easier to name warlords than peacebuilders. It is time to move peacebuilding out of the shadows and into the spotlight. We need to highlight its use as a far better alternative to never-ending wars. But how do we change the narrative surrounding peace? How do we widen its scope of reach? Madeline Rose, the Director of +Peace, a new collective action campaign platform housed at the Alliance for Peacebuilding, dropped in to discuss opening up the space of peacebuilding and building a louder peacebuilding movements through the +Peace coalition. Born in the US, Madeline was influenced in her path towards peace by stand out events such as the invasion of Iraq. Through observing violence, she was drawn towards creating peace. With violent conflict at a 30 year high and hate and polarisation consuming societies, the time to act is now. Madeline delves into how the +Peace coalition is moving towards changing the world of peacebuilding. Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

2013 was a significant year in Ukraine. On 21st November 2013, a student-led protest broke out in response to Ukraine's former President Viktor Yanukovych's decision to end talks on a Ukraine-European Union Association Agreement. Referred to as ‘Euromaidan', it began peacefully, however, as this march gained traction, it was met with violence from the police. Older generations began to join the students, expanding the civil resistance against the use of authoritarian power. Tensions erupted again on the 20th February 2014, which would later be known as ‘the Revolution of Dignity'. Scenes of street clashes, petrol bombs and the shooting of protesters flooded television screens and newspapers. To shed some light on these events and the role that peace education played, we sat down with Roman Koval, Founder and Head of Board at the Institute for Peace and Common Ground. Roman highlights how education in schools can shape and form the lives of peacebuilders. He shares personal stories of training those who went on to negotiate and mitigate violent conflict in the Maidan protests. To find out how Roman helped to shift mediation from the classroom to the streets of Ukraine, tune in here! Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

Despite the existence of many indigenous communities in Libya, they are often marginalised. Eight months of protests and revolution beginning in 2011 called for Muammar Al-Gaddafi to step down after his 42 years of reign. The end of rule placed people in a space where they could more freely express themselves, however, society was used to the norm of one culture, one language and one religion. The struggle for recognition and rights for the indigenous people continued. But what can be done to achieve inclusion? To find out more, we sat down with Lamis Ben Aiyad, project manager at Tamazight Women's Movement. Lamis gave us an insight into the struggles faced by indigenous peoples living in Libya today. Through the work Lamis does, problems such as gender-based violence and lack of political participation for Tamazight women are brought to the table. She strongly believes that inclusion stems from the involvement of everyone. Gender-based violence and marginalisation is something faced by both women and men. Through projects such as the creation of art exhibitions and videos, Lamis helps indigenous communities move forward in the path towards achieving inclusion. Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

In conflict, youth are either seen as victim or perpetrator. Why is this the case and what impact does this have on the potential for achieving peace? Youth are often left to defend themselves during times of conflict, having to take survival into their own hands. These difficult situations have led to the negative portrayal of youth in conflict. How can we change the role and vision of youth? Are agency and participation really the answer to achieving peace? Can we move children from being leaders in war to leaders in peace? To find out more, we sat down with Anne de Graaf, Professor for Human Rights and Human Security and Chief Diversity Officer at the University of Amsterdam. Anne used personal experiences ranging from Liberia to Sierra Leone, to show us how the youth can create sustainable peace. But first, they need to be included. In Anne's words, “inclusion is not about being invited to the party, it's about being able to organise the party”. Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

With tensions mounting in Bolivia, violent protests sparked the end of Morales' reign as president. Shadowed by controversy for his position in power lasting more than a decade, he was the first Indigenous president that Bolivia had seen. Surely this marked a move towards inclusion? To find out whether this was the case, we sat down with Theo Roncken, a peacebuilder of Accion Andina in Bolivia. Theo shared his personal experience with coca farmers. Some faced the harsh reality of crop eradication. Others were given the support of Morales, news which did not reach media publication. Theo tackles the issue of a one size fits all drugs policy in Bolivia, sharing the stories of consumers who are failed by the current legislative approach. Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

In 2001, only two terrorist organisations existed in Afghanistan. Eighteen years later, the number stands at twenty. Does the road towards peace need to be rewritten? What role can youth and women play in ending conflict? Does the international lens towards Afghanistan need to be changed? To answer our burning questions on this escalating situation, we sat down with human rights activist Najeebullah Azad. Najeeb spoke to us about how the youth are the future of the country's prospects for peace and how women should contribute to peacebuilding. However, women in Afghanistan are still very restricted and currently cannot engage within this role. Najeeb shatters our tunnelled vision of Afghanistan created by the international media and gives us a real insight into both the struggles and the scope of a bright and prosperous future, free of conflict. Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

Images of young children, armed with guns, forced to fight for rebels are often depicted in the news. But we do not hear about what happens next. Once they are saved, what is the next step? How can these children be accepted back into the community after all the violence? In Uganda, this is the harsh reality faced by many children and communities. So, how can those whose childhoods were stolen be given a brighter future? To find out more about creating cohesion within these communities, we sat down with peacebuilder Patrick Bwire of the Center of Conflict Resolution in Uganda. Patrick shares some heart warming stories of successful reintegration. Whilst this transition can be so difficult, Patrick tells us how the medium of storytelling, sport and dance can rebuild bonds which once seemed unsalvageable. Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

This year in Chile, a situation of emergency was declared after marches led to arson riots, looting and the collapse of the subway. Despite the negative portrayal of the youth in the recent demonstrations and their association with the violence that erupted, the involvement of the youth has contributed to significant changes. The demands of the people of Chile are being met and the marches have led to the re-writing of the Pinochet-era constitution. Following these events, the Interior Minister, Gonzalo Blumel announced that, “We must focus on the goal of reconfiguring the social contract, which has arisen as a fundamental demand of our citizens” To shed some light on these events in Chile, we sat down with Catalina Salazar from Social Hip Hop NGO. In this episode, Catalina talks about students leading the call for social equality and her personal experience in this movement. The injustices and lack of trust civilians have in public order has caused a lot of anger in Chile. Catalina dives into the use of hip hop to channel and voice the anger and frustration of the youth to enact positive change. Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

At the end of the Cold War, the neorealist paradigm focus on states, military security and the so-called ‘mutually assured destruction' was challenged by the birth of a new concept, namely human security. This new concept emerged to articulate the need to focus on threats to individuals and communities and to go beyond states. Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan wrote that “we will not enjoy development without security, we will not enjoy security without development and we will not enjoy either without respect for human rights.” But what does human security mean? And how can we make it more relevant? To learn more about human security, what must be done to achieve it and what role civil society organisations must play, we spoke to Jon Rudy. Jon is the senior advisor on human security at the Alliance for Peacebuilding and is a long-time peacebuilder with over three decades of experience in peace and conflict. Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

Let's take you back to September 25th, 2015. A day where all the world leaders gathered at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit in New York. It was here where they would draw up a blueprint of great importance for the upcoming 15 years. A blueprint of global action, a blueprint for peace and prosperity. And so.. the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were born. Now, almost four years later, we are still faced with mass poverty, refugee flows and the collapse of icebergs. So, what has happened so far and what should still be done? How can we make sure that all 17 Sustainable Development Goals are actually achieved in the next 10 years? And why should the peacebuilding community care about the SDGs? To find out, we sat down with Deborah Seward, the Director of the United Nations Regional Information Centre (UNRIC). In this pod, she will share her perspective on the impact of the global SDG framework, the role of states around the world to implement this agenda, and the link between the 17 goals and local activities. Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

Worldwide, people are separated in the name of ‘national security'. Thousands of miles of walls and barbed wire, all with the sole purpose to keep out ‘the other', the unknown. But all this comes at a cost: not only the trillions of dollars invested in steel, stone and weapons, but also at the cost of our shared humanity. But now, a new era of peacebuilding is on the horizon. Inspired by those who refuse to identify particular groups or demographics as threats to others. A group of nonconformists with one goal: to redefine security in an inclusive and egalitarian way. To find out more, we spoke to one of those peacebuilders, seeking ways to reframe our security as a shared responsibility. Kerri Kennedy is the Associate General Secretary for International Programs at AFSC. We asked her: What makes us secure? And how can we reshape our security in a way that it is inclusive and shared? Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.