Towards: A World in Which All Children Can Play

Towards: A World in Which All Children Can Play

Countries

Peace SOS focuses on various countries. In the Peace Manifesto presented in 2015, attention was given to: Syria, Yemen, the relationship between the Russian Federation and the West, Israel–Palestine, and Iran.

BURUNDI

Burundi is on the brink of civil war. There is disagreement over President Nkurunziza’s third term. According to the Arusha Peace Agreement, only two terms are allowed. Nkurunziza claims his first term doesn’t count. According to United Nations estimates, at least 400 people have been killed, 220,000 have fled to neighboring countries, and many others have been displaced within Burundi (UN News Centre, December 23, 2015). Burundian Women for Peace and Development receives daily messages from people in distress.

See also our article ‘Voorkom een oorlog in Burundi’ in NRC and de blog over het gesprek met Jean Minani, president van CNARED. CNARED represents 22 political opposition parties in Burundi and includes former presidents of the country.

ISRAEL-PALESTINA

In 2017, Peace SOS took part in public peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians in Tel Aviv. The negotiations were organized by Minds of Peace. It was a remarkable moment to witness how people—raised with an image of the other as an enemy—made sincere efforts to connect and propose peaceful solutions. They emphasized the importance of sharing humus together, peace education, and discussed various political solutions, including a two-state solution.

Peace SOS recently began working with Mahmoud Qudemat, a peace ambassador in Hebron, West Bank. We believe that gentle forces and initiatives like Women Wage Peace deserve support.

MALI

In 2015, the Malian government and Tuareg rebels reached a preliminary agreement during peace talks in neighboring Algeria, granting the northern Tuaregs very limited autonomy. However, the violence never fully ceased. Half of Mali’s population lives below the poverty line. Access to education is low, and 39 percent of adults in Mali are illiterate. High youth unemployment and lack of prospects act as catalysts for other sources of instability. Research by SIPRI and the Malian National Civil Society Coalition for Peace and the Fight Against Small Arms (CONASCIPAL) shows that unemployment and poverty are seen as the country’s most pressing problems.

Peace One Day Mali is led by young people who aim to give youth a voice in Mali’s peace process and train women as mediators in conflicts. They are supported by Oxfam Mali and Peace SOS. We believe it is vital to support the gentle forces working for peace in Mali.

The United Nations is present in Mali through the MINUSMA mission, which has been extended until June 30, 2018.

SYRIA

Syria is facing a humanitarian tragedy. The civil war began in 2011. Since then, approximately 400,000 people have been killed, one million wounded, and ten million displaced. The international community remains divided. Western countries support opposition groups striving for democracy, while Russia and Iran back President Assad, fearing Syria will collapse if he is removed.

Peace SOS emphasizes to politicians and ambassadors the importance of a ceasefire, humanitarian aid for all Syrians, and the urgent need for a diplomatic resolution to the war in Syria. For this to happen, cooperation between the United States, Russia, and Iran is essential.

See our article from August 29, 2016 in Het Parool [link]. On December 17, 2015, Peace SOS, together with three other peace organizations, published an article in Het Parool titled ‘Stop luchtaanvallen Syrië’.

The article is a plea to stop the bombings in Syria and advises the Netherlands not to participate in airstrikes against ISIS in Syria. 

VENEZUELA

During violence surrounding demonstrations against the Maduro government, more than a hundred people were killed and thousands injured. Inflation in Venezuela is extremely high, and the humanitarian situation is dire. Hunger prevails, and there is a shortage of medicine. Between four and six children die each week due to malnutrition.

In 2017, an opinion article appeared in NRC  ‘Buurland Nederland moet Venezuela helpen’ From Peace SOS and Stichting Multicultureel Viva Venezuela. Through Stichting Multicultureel Viva Venezuela—which collaborates with a national organization of medical professionals in Venezuela—Peace SOS donates funds for supplements for children suffering from malnutrition in Venezuela. To give an indication: with 10 euros, one kilogram of supplements can be provided. .