Peacebuild eNewsletter

Peacebuild is a strong network of Canadian non-governmental organizations, institutions, and individuals actively involved in peacebuilding practice and policy development. Peacebuild’s working groups bring together members interested in particular thematic areas such as Children & Armed Conflict, Conflict Prevention, Gender & Peacebuilding, Peace Operations, and Small Arms & Light Weapons. Additionally, the network works on other peacebuilding-related topics.

PEACEBUILD HIGHLIGHTS INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE

To mark September 21st, International Day of Peace, Peacebuild called on ordinary Canadians and political leaders to help refocus our national strengths and capacities on the prevention and peaceful resolution of violent conflicts.

As a civil society network committed to conflict prevention and conflict resolution, Peacebuild’s members believe that global problems require global solutions and multilateral cooperation. In Afghanistan, Sudan, Haiti, the Middle East, Colombia and elsewhere Canada should be continuing to build on its long history of multilateral peacemaking to work with others to negotiate the end to violence or prevent its escalation and protect people from the horrors of war and help them rebuild their lives and societies...more

SMALL ARMS WORKING GROUP (SAWG)

The Small Arms Working Group will hold its annual general meeting on November 18th at 10am to discuss members’ activities, priorities and SAWG's 2008-2009 workplan. Another meeting is scheduled for November 18th between SAWG members and officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to discuss government priorities and plans in relation to the control of small arms and light weapons. For more information about the SAWG or any of the items listed here, please contact Maribel Gonzales at: mgonzales@ploughshares.ca.

GENDER AND PEACEBUILDING WORKING GROUP (GPWG)

The Gender and Peacebuilding Working Group will hold its annual general meeting on November 5th, 2008. The meeting will provide an opportunity for members of the Working Group and interested individuals and organizations to share their work and priorities. All are welcome. The GPWG will be hosting an event to mark the eight anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 at the end of November. The GPWG is also working with the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre and the International Development Research Centre on a project aimed at increasing awareness of the new United Nations Security Council Resolution 1820 on the use of Sexual Violence in Conflict. In support of this project the GPWG has prepared a new fact sheet on Sexual Violence in Conflict. For more information about the GPWG or any of the items listed here, please contact Kate McInturff at: gender@peacebuild.ca.

PEACE OPERATIONS WORKING GROUP (POWG)

POWG's September and October newsletters are available online. There are also new updates to the Peace Operations Monitor (POM), which can be viewed at www.pom.peacebuild.ca.

DND Briefing on Canadian Forces Contributions to Peace Operations in Africa and the Middle East

On October 16th, the Peace Operations Working Group (POWG) organized a briefing with officers from the Peacekeeping Policy Division of the Department of National Defence (DND).  The officers provided an overview of peace operations in Africa and the Middle East as well as highlighted the contributions of Canadian Forces in these peace operations.

FEATURED PEACEBUILD MEMBER

Erin Koening

Erin Koenig’s experience – academic, professional and volunteer – illustrates a sustained interest in international human rights and human security issues.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies (University of Alberta), she spent several years overseas before pursuing a joint Masters in Human Rights and Democratization (University of Copenhagen), for which she submitted an award-winning MA thesis, Architectural Apartheid and Urban Cleansing: The Politics of Space and Structure in Human Rights Discourse.

Erin’s research and writing focuses on the nature, transformations and implications of spatial and social relations in cities. She has published articles in both academic journals and print media, as well as with Amnesty International and the UNHCR. Her work on urban security issues was recognized in 2006 with a Human Security in Urban Spaces Graduate Research Fellowship from DFAIT.

Erin has worked as a research analyst with the Inter-American Institute of Human Rights in Costa Rica; peace and anti-racism educator in Northern Ireland; international electoral observer in Chiapas and El Salvador; arbitrary detention researcher for UNOHCHR; researcher with DFAIT’s Human Security and Cities Program; and consultant with UNESCO’s Human Rights and Development Section in Paris, France. In early 2009, she will join the Canadian Foreign Service as a Political/Economic Officer.