The Peace Corner Podcast

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.

Nowadays, almost half of the world’s population is under the age of 24. Yet policy-making and the field of peacebuilding is still dominated by older men in suits. Why is that and how can we change it? How can we break the status quo and create space for youth at the peace table? To find out we sat down with Gizem Kilinç, the leading coordinator of the United Network of Young Peacebuilders (UNOY). Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

The struggle for identity and self-determination fuel conflict in many regions of the world. In Southeast Asia particularly these struggles have become crises in Mindanao and Myanmar. Against this backdrop, there are those that struggle tirelessly for a change. Makers and builders of peace who believe that solidarity between peoples is the way to advocate for peace. To understand how this solidarity grows and has the power to break the status quo, we sat down with Filipino peace guru Gus Miclat, co-founder of Initiatives for International Dialogue (or IID), to ask: How can solidarity be a tool for peace in Southeast Asia? Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

For decades, Mexico has been embroiled in a deadly war on drugs. While the lens of the media remains focused on the government and infamous drug cartels, those striving for a better society remain invisible. It is time to change that. So, we sat down with the President of SERAPAZ, Miguel Álvarez Gándara, a Mexican peacebuilder in heart and word. For over 40 years, he has been using mediation as his weapon of choice. So, how can dialogue serve as the antidote to the violence? How can we shift away from a culture of violence to one of peace? Listen now to find out and don’t forget to hit subscribe for more stories on peace and conflict! ‘Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

A wave of disappointment struck the peacebuilding community after the long-awaited Trump-Kim Summit in Hanoi, Vietnam. Without a peace agreement, what are we left with? Or was this Summit still a small step towards peace on the Korean Peninsula? To find out, Ben sat down with returning guest Meri Joyce from Peaceboat. What were her expectations for the Summit and what are her hopes now? Tune in to the first episode of our second season now! ‘Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

For this New Year’s special, Jo talked with Darynell Rodriguez Torres, the Executive Director of GPPAC. Growing up in war-torn Colombia, Darynell wondered: ‘what is it that unites us and why do we tend to focus on divisions?’ Driven by his experiences, he became an actor of peace, driven to build bridges and prevent violence globally. This conversation reminds us that peace is so much more than just the signing of an agreement. ‘Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

For our final episode of the series, Charlotte gathered three fascinating peacebuilders round the table to discuss how they navigate polarising discourse, such as common ‘us’ vs. ‘them’ divisions. Marc Batac offers insight into dialogue processes in the Philippines; Meri Joyce takes us inside the discreet dialogue initiatives on the Korean Peninsula; and Darynell Rodriguez Torres adds an extremely experienced voice from Colombia. ‘Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

For our fifth episode, Raphael sat down with Meri Joyce from Peaceboat who has a very unique portfolio: enabling dialogue for peace in Korea while also helping manage a cruise boat that spreads the message of peace beyond every border. This conversation reminds us that the most innovative solutions to peace are often the ones that can go further and that no one is too far away to be engaged in dialogue. ‘Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

For our fourth episode, our gender intern, Maria, decided to chat to a long-time feminist activist working in the field of Women, Peace and Security, Sharon Bhagwan Rolls. From military coups in Fiji, Sharon talks about her long career striving for more inclusive and peaceful societies; especially urging against the ghettoisation of women in peacebuilding! ‘Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

For our third episode, our curious intern, Raphael, decided to chat to a veteran in grassroots peacebuilding, Jon Rudy. After decades in the field, Jon offers an insightful and philosophical overview of the precarious environments within which civil society often operates, and the powerful individuals driving these operations. This conversation reminds us of the urgency of our collective humanity. ‘Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

For our second episode, two impassioned Nicaraguans - our intern, Jo, and activist, Chale - sat down to discuss the dire yet under-reported crisis in Nicaragua. In exile, Chale concentrates most of his time on solidarity networks like #SOSNicaragua. The continuous protests and harsh government crackdown in Nicaragua is why Chale travelled to The Hague to unite civil society groups to advocate for his country. 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

For our very first podcast, we sat down with longtime peacebuilding pioneer, Lucy Nusseibeh, who has been living and working in the Occupied Palestinian Territories since 1978. We discussed the power of non-violent activism, the significance of youth and women empowerment, and Palestinian symbol of resilience and resistance, Ahed Tamimi. Looking forward in one of the most protracted conflicts in the world, Lucy concludes with, ‘If there were justice, there would be peace’! Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.