James Offuh is a stalwart supporter of the mission of Euphrates. As founder of United For Peace Against Conflict International (UFPACI), Offuh and his team have created safe spaces for alienated people to successfully engage, communicate, and heal through heart-to-heart dialogue with its distinctive quality of listening-to-learn. Offuh’s most recent effort to help realize this vision is the creation of a new space, the Transformative Peace Library, in his community of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

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Our April Community Call focused on Collective Action in Response to War. We hosted a profound and moving conversation with Wes Davison, Rosen Dimov and 4 guest voices from Ukraine. We examined the harsh realities of war, but also gave voice to the powerful outpouring of support, sacred solidarity, and deep human connection. It is clear that there is a great opportunity for the practice of community care to fulfill both the immediate and long term needs of those in Ukraine and those resettling elsewhere.

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The start of this horrific war is a reminder that, in an instant, any of our worlds can change completely. The direct targeting of civilians, those most vulnerable, is a reminder to all of us as agents of peace that peace is indeed fragile. It is a reminder to all of us that building a world of peace requires intentionality, a personal commitment that in every step we take and every relationship we make, we intentionally pursue peace in all things.

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We had such a beautiful start to our 2022 Community Call season, Practicing Peace Together. Our virtual living room was filled with soul and story. It's so important to come together to not only share personal practices, but to care for one another in community spaces. We're so grateful for the gifts offered by the hearts and voices of Whitney McIntyre Miller, Aman Melles, and Wazieh Offuh - thank you!

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As we travel together enjoying this journey of life, bickering about the destination, worrying about its purpose, it can feel incredibly emotional and overwhelming. When external circumstances divert our path or put in obstacles, it can feel uncertain. The last few days have reminded me of the globalisation of fragility and the democratisation of inequality and inequity.

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We bursting with excitement! Today we launched the 2022 Peace Practice Alliance (PPA)! We have 30 peace leaders joining us from 17 countries around the world from Afghanistan to Vietnam, Nigeria to Palestine, and so many more.

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Wisdom and experience are gifts to bathe in. These gifts were offered last week on our October Community Call with Libby Traubman. Listening to Libby share her peace leader's path (alongside her late husband, Len) reminded me that this work is for everyone and it can span a lifetime!

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On October 18, 2021 alumni from our Peace Practice Alliance offered an inspired session for the virtual gathering for The Parliament of World’s Religions. The theme for this gathering was “Opening our Hearts to the World: Compassion in Action.” Our session highlighted the practice and impact of peace leadership through the stories and experiences of four peace leaders from four different countries who all graduated from the Euphrates Peace Practice Alliance program.

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Continuing with our 2021 theme Untold Stories, we invite you to meet two incredible peace leaders who have chosen to step out of politics and personal narrative in order to create a new story of healing and resolution.

Lejla Hasandedic-Dapo was three when the war began in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Samira Baručija-Homoras was born in that same war shortly before its end. When the war ended in 1995, the bombs and killing stopped - the hate and division did not. Facing an identity-crisis of sorts, wondering what "side" they were actually on, both women found themselves asking how they could help their families and communities de-otherize and find healing.

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Through my peacebuilding work, I have picked up a new term: "Lottery of birth." It means that we do not choose where we are born. Our country, socio-economic status, biological gender, religion, environment, neighbourhood, family beliefs, etc are assigned to us at birth.

This term improved my introspective quality immensely. So whenever I hear of war or destitution or hunger or restrictions for women or a refugee crisis, I lead with a thought: "I might have been born there, in their place. It could have been me. I am not there, but I could have been.

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At Euphrates we believe storytelling is a cornerstone of peacebuilding. To know someone at the heart level breaks down barriers, heals divisions, and turns the other into a sister or brother. Euphrates had the privilege of having George Freeman share his story with our community.

George Reginald Freeman is a dedicated sexual health educator, feminist, researcher, and human rights defender for people marginalized and discriminated against based on their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. George is a firm believer in the power of grassroots social movements to create a just, inclusive, and equitable societies.

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I believe we found both peaceful and wild last Friday - what a sacred and joy-filled community call! Our call brought so much heart, wisdom, and art through the voices of Carmen, Clintel, and our community. For those that were not able to join us, here is a brief summary.

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Each month we look forward to bringing you updates from this incredible peacebuilding family and inviting you to learn more through inspiring calls, events, and recommendations. Twice a year we ask our community to continue to support this profound work. Our work to equip, connect, and uplift global peacebuilders could not happen without your support.

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The month of April is rich in its offerings! From our friends at Golden West College in California, to one of the largest Israeli-Palestinian peace events, to the Untold Stories of our first 2021 Community Call. We hope you'll find time for one or ALL of these wonderful April offerings!

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We are excited to announce our new cohort of peace leaders for the 2021 Peace Practice Alliance (PPA)! We have 31 participants joining us from 21 countries around the world from Denmark to Bangladesh, Myanmar to Malawi, and so many more.

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In 2020, Newark, New Jersey reached an historic milestone - Newark Police officers did not fire a single shot. After participating in de-escalation training and working closely with community groups like Newark Community Street Team (NCST), real reform is taking place. We are witnessing the impacts of community peace practice in action.

Our 2020 Visionary Aqeela Sherrills has been reimagining public safety strategy as a leader at NCST. This program uses a community-based violence reduction strategy to bring a greater sense of peace to the community. During the 2020 George Floyd protests, the cops remained in the background as Aqeela’s Street Team took to the streets to prevent escalation and violence. “There is a point of entry for the public to play a key role in public safety,” shares Aqeela, and it is time to truly reimagine systems of public safety.

Aqeela and his team passionately believe in the collective work needed to cultivate and sustain peace in our communities. Grounded in peace within and supported by peace in relationships, this community-led transformative work is setting the example for us all on how to reimagine and enact change, and to actualize community peace.

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Today we honor the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through celebration, reflection, and service. We uplift his exemplary model of peace leadership, and use it as inspiration to step into our own responsibility to practice the personal, interpersonal, community, and global peace work necessary to nourish, heal, and progress our “World House.”

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In this holiday season we are deeply inspired by and grateful for sources of light in our Euphrates community. In the Northern Hemisphere the “Christmas Star” shone brightly on the longest night of the year, and it served as a reminder that when darkness is present the light is more readily seen and appreciated. This is also true of our community of visionaries and peace ambassadors.

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