The article highlights that as many as 828 million persons globally are hungry and without adequate access to food. In the face of severe global food insecurity and hunger, the food that women produce helps to alleviate and prevent conflict. Yet, an estimated 70% of those killed during violent conflicts are unarmed civilians, many of whom are women and children. Also, programs that incorporate trauma support and peacebuilding skills for women who are victims of violent conflict tend to be more sustainable livelihood projects that are vitally important in vulnerable communities, where women are often the bedrock of food production as smallholder farmers. They are frequently the heart and soul of peacebuilding, pursuing well-being and a just peace. Published by Mennonite Central Committee U.S. (July 10, 2023). Read more
All posts by charleyblogging
Women, Food Security, and the U.S. Farm Bill: Support funding for Food for Peace to help women farmers care for their families.
Posted by charleyblogging on March 30, 2024
https://charlbiorah.blog/2024/03/30/women-food-security-and-the-u-s-farm-bill/
Let us not grow weary.
The article articulates the need for a robust global collaboration in responding to the effects of COVID – 19. It premises an argument on the fact that in 2020, an additional 88 million to 115 million people were pushed into extreme poverty due to violent conflicts, climate change, and COVID-19. The stresses to global food systems caused by the pandemic have been severe. It points out that as a human family, we must find creative ways to make resources available for all communities to combat infection, which allows people to work or grow their own food. Published by Mennonite Central Committee U.S. (May 27, 2021). Read more. Referenced in Books. Disarmed: The Radical Life and Legacy of Michael “MJ” Sharp
Posted by charleyblogging on March 29, 2024
https://charlbiorah.blog/2024/03/29/let-us-not-grow-weary/
The United States’ Nigeria Policy: An equitable and collaborative partnership with Nigerian local actors is inevitable and imperative.
The article stresses the need for approaches tailored to the specific context. It advocates for local ownership of programs and urges a focus on addressing the root causes of conflicts. International NGOs, such as the Mennonite Central Committee, are acknowledged for their role in supporting local initiatives. Additionally, the article calls for the United States government to invest in nonviolent peacebuilding mechanisms, targeting local actors and embracing contextually sensitive approaches. Published by Nigeria Working Group (Congressional Briefing Document 2024)
Posted by charleyblogging on March 29, 2024
https://charlbiorah.blog/2024/03/29/the-united-states-nigeria-policy-an-equitable-and-collaborative-partnership-with-nigerian-local-actors-is-inevitable-and-imperative/
Shifting power dynamics, localization, and decolonization: Implications for community-based peacebuilding
The article articulates and explores emerging peacebuilding ideas and tools linked to localization and decolonization…advances in the field reflective of our rapidly changing world. Also, it affirms that international and local NGO relationships are historically complex and multi-layered. Local/national (internal) and international (external) dynamics are exacerbated by policies, economics and other aspects of context. Inevitably, the shadows of the legacy of Colonialism are still embedded in the structures and systems where we work. In the field of international development, many of us seek to transform these harmful structures, systems, and dynamics into a new era. Published by The Movement for Community-led Development (December 4, 2023). Read more
Posted by charleyblogging on March 27, 2024
https://charlbiorah.blog/2024/03/27/shifting-power-dynamics-localization-and-decolonization-implications-for-community-based-peacebuilding/
Changing Systems as Peacemaking Work
The article posits our engagement in educating, advocating and influencing government policies as peacemaking. It calls us to affirm the fact that devastating effects of violence arising from unresolved grievances, incompatible goals, and contests of power spur us to ponder how our violent world could possibly reflect God’s beautiful handiwork (Gen. 1:31). Therefore, the need to step beyond our comfort zones and consider our roles in this interlocking web of systems that birth catastrophic violence. We can aspire to attain shalom, and “a peace the world cannot give” (John 14: 27; 16: 33, Psalm 122: 6) by advocating for justice, praying for and engaging policymakers, and supporting nonviolent peace work. Published by Brethren In Christ U.S. (Shalom, Volume 43, No. 1, Winter 2023.)
Posted by charleyblogging on March 27, 2024
https://charlbiorah.blog/2024/03/27/changing-systems-as-peacemaking-work/
More Weapons Won’t Solve Nigeria’s Security Crisis: A nearly $1 billion U.S. arms sale to the country will promote further violence.
The collaborated article analyzes the complexities associated with Nigeria insecurity scenario and explores peacebuilding interventions that transforms root causes of the deteriorating situations. Also, the policy opinion offers recommendations to both the Nigerian and the U.S. governments, in prioritizing contextual and community based or led approaches. Government’s responses must be holistic and strategic, aiming the wellbeing of the society. Published by Foreign Policy (August 18, 2022). Read more.
References in books and other publications: Newswire: Dangerous growth of violent groups confronts new Nigerian President, Revista de Prensa: More Weapons Won’t Solve Nigeria’s Security Crisis, Responsible Statecraft: Nigerian military’s forced abortions raise questions about US aid, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Will the Invasion of Ukraine Change Russia-Africa Relations?, AfricaNewsBriefs: FREEZE ON WEAPONS SALE TO NIGERIA OVER ‘ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES’, New York Amsterdam News: Freeze on weapons sale to Nigeria over ‘enforces disappearances’, Book: Frieden und Sicherheit durch mehr Waffen?
Posted by charleyblogging on March 27, 2024
https://charlbiorah.blog/2024/03/27/more-weapons-wont-solve-nigerias-security-crisis-a-nearly-1-billion-u-s-arms-sale-to-the-country-will-promote-further-violence/
Reflective advocacy, mutual empowerment and capacity building
The article explores Mennonite Central Committee’s model of Advocacy and speaking truth to power, as it works to address the policies and systems that perpetuate poverty and injustice around the world. MCC’s reflective advocacy represents an essential tool of humanitarian relief, development and peacebuilding programming. The model of advocacy motivates the agency of actors with capacities for change and coordinate with local partners to collaboratively influence structures and systems both locally and internationally, in mutuality and accompaniment. Published by Mennonite Central Committee (Intersections: MCC theory and practice quarterly, Volume 9, Issue 3, Summer 2021)
Posted by charleyblogging on March 27, 2024
https://charlbiorah.blog/2024/03/27/reflective-advocacy-mutual-empowerment-and-capacity-building/
Addressing Hunger Amid COVID-19
The article articulates how the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected populations already ravaged by violence, floods, drought, wildfires, displacements and disease. Also, as governments imposed lockdowns to stop the spread of COVID-19, smallholder famers were prevented from harvesting their crops because of restrictions on movement. As a result, such farmers did not have access to their livelihoods and were made even more vulnerable. This inevitably affects the wellbeing of entire communities for the long term. It highlights some interventions undertaken by faith based organizations. Published by ThirdWay (October 2, 2020). Read more
Posted by charleyblogging on March 27, 2024
https://charlbiorah.blog/2024/03/27/addressing-hunger-amid-covid-19/
How The U.S. Can Support Developing Countries Fighting COVID — For $0
The article highlights the inherent global inequality among countries and the importance of global accompaniment. Privileged and wealthy countries should support less wealthy ones in responding to global the pandemic and its devastating effects. The U.S. government’s global leadership and position in global agencies is key to alleviating the suffering of vulnerable populations. Published by Foreign Policy In Focus (August 20, 2020). Read more
Republished and references: COUNTERPUNCH: How the U.S. Can Support Developing Countries Fighting COVID… for Almost Nothing, Business Standard: How the US can support developing countries fighting Covid-19 for $0, RadioFree: HOW THE U.S. CAN SUPPORT DEVELOPING COUNTRIES FIGHTING COVID… FOR ALMOST NOTHING
Posted by charleyblogging on March 27, 2024
https://charlbiorah.blog/2024/03/27/how-the-u-s-can-support-developing-countries-fighting-covid-for-0/
A Creative Response In Nigeria’s Northeast
The article offers an overview of a local women led initiative that creatively and innovatively responds to compounding or complex challenges due to violent conflicts, exacerbated by COVID-19. The initiative work to meet the needs of displaced women and girls through livelihoods projects and trauma healing. Published by ThirdWay (May 8, 2020). Read more
Posted by charleyblogging on March 27, 2024
https://charlbiorah.blog/2024/03/27/a-creative-response-in-nigerias-northeast/
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