Practicing an interconnected, holistic approach to transforming conflict, Muna Luqman sees possibility, emergence, and generative solutions for communities where others see despair. The ability to see the possibilities and her efforts to achieve them is what makes Muna Luqman our 2022 Visionary of the Year.
Read MoreOur October Community Call was a sacred space of reflection and insight. We were all moved by the stories and wisdom offered by our guests Ahmad Karimi, Ahmad Samizada, Ehsan Attiq, Hanifa, Zahra Reza, members of the Afghanistan Youth Empowerment and Peace-Building Organization currently living as refugees in Germany.
Read MoreOur September Community Call focused on the transformative role of music in negotiation and conflict resolution. Jonathan Dimmock and Angela Lee gifted us with deeply engaging and soul-inspiring music. We shared an experience together that I won't soon forget!
Read MoreOur July Community Call focused on peacebuilding in the Holy Land with Elias D'eis, Executive Director of Holy Land Trust. Euphrates' Founder, Janessa Wilder hosted an inspired conversation that explored Elias' journey as a Palestinian Christian living in the West Bank, a true testament to practicing peace and building community in the midst of extreme division, adversity, and conflict. With the heart of a peacemaker, Elias has an assuring presence and an inspired vision.
Read MoreOur June Community Call focused on Transformative Spaces for Healing with Dr. Tecla Namachanja Wanjala. We explored the wisdom of her heart and experience, honing in on how we care for ourselves deeply while caring for the community. We were thrilled to widen the reach of Tecla's voice. The wisdom shared helps us understand that we have everyday opportunities to practice peace together.
Read MoreIn a recent WhatsApp exchange with Victor Garpulee, a peace leader from Liberia, I was struck by the sacred reciprocity of love and encouragement. In response to my observation of his compassionate leadership, Victor quickly responded “Because of you, we are.” Without hesitation, I replied, “We are because of you!” We are intertwined in our pursuit to be change makers and peace leaders.
Read MoreOur May Community Call focused on The Shared Vision of Sustainability and Peacebuilding. We hosted an insightful conversation with Patrick Arnold, Ismail Munyamu, and Caroline Odera. We explored the intersection of environmental issues and peacebuilding and how each of us has a role to play as agents of change.
Read MoreJames 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.
Read MoreOur 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.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreWe 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!
Read MoreAs 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.
Read MoreWe 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.
Read MoreWisdom 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!
Read MoreOn 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.
Read MoreContinuing 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.
Read MoreThrough 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.
Read MoreAt 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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