The Peace Corner Podcast

TRIGGER WARNING: this episode includes mention of rape. In Episode 5 of the Peace Corner Podcast, Larissa, our host, and Guillaume Kalonji, a passionate young climate activist from Youth For Peace DRC, a platform dedicated to promoting peace, security, and development, delve into the complexities of the digital age, shining a spotlight on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Guillaume provides direct insights into the experiences and realities faced by communities in the DRC due to mineral exploitation by tech giants like Samsung, Apple, and Tesla. With a significant portion of the world's cobalt and coltan supply sourced from the DRC, the impact on local communities is profound. As we navigate the interlinkages between justice, mineral exploitation, gender, and conflict, we discuss the role of young people and the international community in advocating for change and raising awareness about the situation. Join us as Guillaume shares actionable steps towards ethical mineral sourcing, prevention of gender-based violence, and empowerment of affected communities in the DRC. The 8th season of the Peace Corner Podcast is an initiative of CSPPS and UNOY Peacebuilders.

In this episode of The Peace Corner Podcast, we dive into the unexpected intersection of skateboarding, technology and peacebuilding with Safen Muhammad of Suli Skatepark and Rhianon Bader from The Goodpush Alliance. Discover how they're using skateboarding and technology to foster peace, teach life skills, and build inclusive communities. Through their stories, you will learn how digital tools and social media are being used to amplify the impact of skateboarding initiatives, connecting diverse groups across the globe and empowering youth with leadership, resilience, and a sense of belonging. The 8th season of the Peace Corner Podcast is an initiative of CSPPS & UNOY Peacebuilders.

In Episode 3 of The Peace Corner Podcast, Ines Doumandji engages in a discussion with Charlotte Akin, an activist from Canada with a passion for disarmament, human rights, and gender justice. As the Projects & Logistics Officer at Stop Killer Robots, Charlotte is deeply involved in the global coalition, consisting of over 250 civil society organizations across 70 countries. The episode explores the challenges and risks associated with autonomous weapons, shedding light on ongoing efforts to ensure human control in the use of force by calling for new international law on autonomy in weapons systems. Gain valuable insights into the concerns surrounding autonomous weapons and learn about how it impacts you and what you can do about it. For monitoring and research related to autonomous weapons systems, visit Automated Decision Research at automatedresearch.org. The 8th season of the Peace Corner Podcast is an initiative of CSPPS & UNOY Peacebuilders.

New technologies have the potential to be powerful tools to connect peacebuilders actors across the world, as well as to advocate for sustainable peace at all levels. However, do all peacebuilders have the same access to these resources ? Our second episode will highlight both the opportunities and challenges when it comes to relying on new technologies to work in the field peacebuilding, with a focus on the context of Yemen. Joins us in an insightful discussion with two peacebuilders from Yemen, Maged Alkholidy, chairman of Youth Without Borders Organisation (YWBOD), and Shaima Almehdhar, co-founder of a digital platform focusing on peacebuilding, inclusion and social cohesion. The 8th season of the Peace Corner Podcast is an initiative of CSPPS and UNOY Peacebuilders.

As borders evolve into testing grounds for tech experiments, what impact do they have on human lives and rights? Our first episode not only dives into these challenges but is committed to exploring solutions. Join us in an insightful discussion with lawyer and anthropologist Petra Molnar, data analysis, graphics, and UX designer Simon Droti, and journalist Wael Qarssifi from the Migration +Tech Monitor to explore the dual nature of new technologies on people on the move. The 8th season of the Peace Corner Podcast is an initiative of CSPPS & UNOY Peacebuilders.

In this final episode of Season 7, Rhea Mahanta, founder of The Peacebuilding Project, shares her story. She describes how climate change affects her work as a peace activist and reflects on new multidisciplinary strategies to address the climate-peace nexus. "I feel that not only should issues of economic growth, political and social inequality be dealt with simultaneously, but we also need a radical change in strategy of our current models of growth." The Peace Corner Podcast is a joint initiative of interns at GPPAC, UNOY & CSPPS

私たちのアイデンティティとコミュニティが、活動家としてどのような意味を形作るのでしょうか？創造的な手段や日常生活の中でどのように平和構築者となれるのでしょうか？環境悪化の影響を不均衡に受けながらも、世界中の若い先住民族は、創造的な実践を通じて自らの文化再生と環境保護のために指導的役割を果たしています。 このエピソードでは、日本と世界中でアイヌ文化普及に取り組むアイヌの活動家である関根摩耶（まや）さんと、ハワイパシフィック大学社会福祉学科助教授であり、このエピソードの翻訳をサポートしたヴィンス岡田博士が参加します。摩耶さんの活動のいきさつやアイヌ文化教育者としての考え、地元知識の共有と伝承を通じた世代間のパートナーシップ、そしてアイヌにおける相互尊重である「ウアイヌコㇿ」の重要性について探求します。このエピソードは英語または日本語でお楽しみいただけます。Peace Corner Podcastは、GPPAC、CSPPS、UNOY Peacebuildersのイニシアチブです。 日本語でお聞きの皆様に向けての注釈となりますが、このエピソードではまず、摩耶さんに、アイヌの実践と知識を広めるための有用なツールとしてのYouTubeチャンネルとオンラインプラットフォームの役割についてお聞きします。次に、アイヌのアイデンティティが彼女の活動のアプローチにどのように影響を与えたか、世代間の対話の役割や地域レベルでの知識保護と気候変動への対処、先住民族と地域の活動の役割について探求します。また、歴史的な同化政策がアイヌのコミュニティにどのように影響を与えたか、それらの不正義がどう解決されるべきかについても議論します。最後に、摩耶さんが、気候変動活動に取り組みたい若者やアイヌ文化を学びたい人々に対して、活動を始めるためのアドバイスを提供します。

How do our identity and community shape what it means to be an activist? How can we be peacebuilders in creative ways and in daily life? Despite disproportionately facing the effects of environmental degradation, young indigenous people from across the world are leading the way in advocating for the revitalisation of their heritage and environmental protection through creative practices. In this episode, we are joined by Maya Sekine, an activist of Ainu heritage who works to promote Ainu culture in Japan and around the world, as well as Dr. Vince Okada, Assistant Professor of Social Work at the Hawai’i Pacific University, who assisted with translation for the episode. We explore Maya’s journey to becoming an advocate and teacher of Ainu culture, her reflections on her identity, intergenerational partnership through sharing and passing down local knowledge, as well as the importance of mutual respect, or uaynukor in Ainu. You can tune in to this episode either in English or in Japanese. 🔗 You can find Maya on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@userhttps://www.youtube.com/@user-sg7qz4sh8p/featured The Peace Corner Podcast is an initiative of GPPAC, CSPPS and UNOY Peacebuilders

What do we know about interlinkages between Climate Change and conflicts? Surprisingly, academic research shows that proving that Climate Change triggers conflicts is often challenging. In the newest episode of the #PeaceCornerPodcast, CSPPS intern Victor interviews Clionadh Raleigh, political violence and geography professor and president of the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) Project. They discuss the necessity of considering political factors when thinking about conflicts in the Global South. Tune in to learn more about the deep roots of the herder-farmer conflicts in the Sahel - including land property issues - and how to deal with climate change in conflict-affected settings. The Peace Corner Podcast is an initiative of UNOY, CSPPS & GPPAC

The climate crisis is impacting the whole world, but not everyone is affected in the same way. Indigenous communities are at the forefront of the battle against climate change, trying to make their voices heard by institutions and decision-making bodies. In this new episode of The Peace Corner Podcast, UNOY Communications Officer Francesca Paniccia talks to Dayana Blanco Quiroga, Project Coordinator at Pueblos de Montaña Foundation, Aymara indigenous organisation about their efforts to find sustainable solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change. Based in Oruro, Bolivia, the organisation combines indigenous and scientific knowledge to help the community overcome the consequences of climate events. The Peace Corner Podcast is an initiative of GPPAC, CSPPS & UNOY Peacebuilders

From the Sahel to the Arctic, the impact of climate change is being felt around the world. But how is it linked to violent conflict? Understanding the connection between the two is more important now than ever. Join UNOY Fundraising Officer Sumaiya Tanim as she chats with Katongo Seyuba, a young researcher on Climate Change, Development & Sustainability on the latest episode of Peace Corner Podcast to learn about his research on the link between climate change and conflict, and the policy implications for peacebuilding efforts. Katongo Seyuba is currently working as a Research Assistant with the Climate Change and Risk Program at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The Peace Corner Podcast is an initiative of GPPAC, CSPPS & UNOY Peacebuilders

In this new episode, we learn from Nishanie Jayamaha, who brings a humanitarian perspective to the discussion. Are you curious to hear about how the different sectors are inter-connected? Are you interested in learning more about the implications of connecting climate change as a direct driver to conflict? Tune in to hear more ! Nishanie Jayamaha is the Learning and Climate Change Coordinator at ICVA and has over 20 years of experience working in the humanitarian and conflict fields in complex emergency contexts. Bringing into light the challenges of conflict, climate change, displacement, food insecurity, she highlights the need for a change and working together across sectors. The Peace Corner Podcast is an initiative of GPPAC, CSPPS & UNOY Peacebuilders

In this episode, Beatrice talks to Marion Akiteng from CECORE Uganda, who shares her experience in developing and piloting the GPPAC Step-by-Step Guide to document, assess, and address climate security challenges at the local level. What for? To design strategies for mitigating and adapting to climate risks. Hear from Marion how communities develop local indicators and find out more about their value in addressing climate risks. Marion also talks about the crucial role local women and young people play in driving local climate action. Tune in for more! The Peace Corner Podcast is an initiative of GPPAC, CSPPS & UNOY Peacebuilders

Join Aziza and Ali Joma in the latest episode of the #PeaceCorner Podcast to explore the impacts of climate change on the community in Afghanistan, and how young climate activists are contributing to climate action and change. Ali Joma Raeesi is a young climate activist who has been working on climate change issues since his university days. He is the CEO of Avisar organization for research and water resource management in Afghanistan. In this episode, he discusses how climate change has affected Afghanistan's vulnerable community; 80% of the country's population depends on subsistence agriculture and the country's population is also currently facing a dire economic and political situation. Don't miss this insightful conversation on the intersection of water resource management, climate change, and youth activism. Tune in to the #PeaceCorner Podcast now! The Peace Corner Podcast is an initiative of GPPAC, CSPPS & UNOY Peacebuilders

Generation climate: What is the impact of conflict and climate change on vulnerable communities in Yemen? What is the role of youth in building community resilience to changing climate patterns? Tune in to join the discussion of Charis and Olla Alsakkaf and deep dive into the role of youth mediators as valuable contributors to climate-action. Olla Alsakkaf is a peace and climate activist from Yemen, and chairperson of Peace Environment organisation. Having witnessed first-hand the implications of the on-going crisis in Yemen, she describes the importance of adequately addressing the intersection between conflict and climate change, while giving young people the opportunity to take the lead and be at the forefront of change.

Climate action must be channelled through feminist and civil society networks who have the local expertise on climate peace and security. Sharon Bhagwan-Rolls has over 30 years of experience in feminist movements. She is part of the #ShiftingThePowerCoalition - a feminist alliance of pacific women-led organisations driving climate justice and humanitarian action. Peacebuilding should not just be regarded as a project of development partners. To sustain their support they have to ensure localised peacebuilding and ask: “How do we get more money to our partners on the ground?” Tune into this episode to learn from Sharon about the shared vision of feminist grassroots peacebuilders for climate justice in the Pacific Island Countries. The Peace Corner Podcast is an initiative of GPPAC, CSPPS & UNOY Peacebuilders

It is quite evident that climate change is very much a global issue. How we live and work together in communities and cities can have a huge impact in tackling climate change. Some believe that small scale projects do not positively combat the effects of climate change, others believe that solutions suited to the local context is one of the best ways forward. Join us in discussing this topic with Nepalese climate youth activist Lakshmi Sapkota, where we delve deeper into the role of community level interventions in Nepal and how climate change is conceptualised and understood within the South Asian region. The Peace Corner Podcast is an initiative of GPPAC, CSPPS & UNOY Peacebuilders

La région de l’Extrême Nord du Cameroun est la région plus touchée par le changement climatique, la plus pauvre et la moins scolarisée du pays. C’est aussi la région dans laquelle Marthe Wandou a concentré ses efforts depuis les années 1990 avec son association ALDEPA (Action locale pour un développement participatif et autogéré). Les activités de l'association ont évolué avec le contexte sécuritaire, en raison de l’expansion de Boko Haram dans la région du lac Tchad depuis 2013 et du conflit anglophone qui a débuté il y a plus de cinq ans. Dans cet épisode, Marthe nous raconte comment elle lutte chaque jour depuis plus de 20 ans pour faire évoluer les mentalités sur les questions de genre en adoptant une vision holistique qui intègre tous les pans de la société camerounaise: les victimes de violences basées sur le genre, les familles, les leaders communautaires et religieux, les jeunes… ALDEPA a ainsi développé des outils innovants et basés sur la communauté dans laquelle ils sont implantés, afin de créer des mécanismes communautaires de prévention de l’extrémisme violent et de protection contre les violences faites aux femmes et filles qui vivent en situations de conflit. Écoutez cet épisode pour en savoir plus sur le contexte camerounais et les activités de Marthe, lauréate 2021 du Right Livelihood Award! *** Community Strength Against Gender-Based Violence: The Example of ALDEPA in Cameroon The Far North region of Cameroon is the region with the highest levels of poverty and the lowest levels of education in the country. It is also the region in which Marthe Wandou has concentrated her efforts since the 1990s with her association ALDEPA (Action locale pour un développement participatif et autogéré). The association's activities have evolved with the security context, due to the expansion of Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region since 2013 and the Anglophone conflict that started more than five years ago. In this episode, Marthe tells us how she has been fighting every day for more than 20 years to change mentalities on gender issues by adopting a holistic vision that integrates all parts of Cameroonian society: victims of gender-based violence, families, community and religious leaders, young people... ALDEPA has thus developed innovative tools based on the community in which they are implemented, in order to create community mechanisms for the prevention of violent extremism and protection from violence against women and girls living in conflict-affected settings. Listen to this episode to learn more about the Cameroonian context and the activities of Marthe, the 2021 Right Livelihood Award winner! Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

Peace is personal; part of demystifying peacebuilding is recognising the agency of young people who are building and sustaining peace in their communities, and speaking up against injustices and acknowledging their role as peacebuilders. In this episode of the Peace Corner, Freya from UNOY Peacebuilders sat down with Anbid Zaman, LGBTQIA+ human rights activist, and discussed intersectionality, stereotypes and moving beyond binary gender identities in peacebuilding. Peace, just like conflict, is highly gendered. Assumptions about who is peaceful and who is violent rely on stereotypes. Young peacebuilders come from different backgrounds, work on different issues, and have intersectional identities. Stereotypical assumptions about young people lead to the exclusion and discrimination of youth. In order to ensure their participation, we need to be aware of the structures that lead to their exclusion, open up spaces, and unite in solidarity with young people who cannot be in the room. Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com.

After years of confrontation and diplomatic tensions, Ukraine was invaded by Russia on 24 February 2022. The war has severely impacted social cohesion, community security, and the resilience of local communities, especially women and girls. This episode is structured in two interrelated parts: the first part is designed to highlight the role of women in peacebuilding, while the second part, more intimate, focuses on women's daily lives and perceptions during the current crisis. The podcast traces the life of a woman peacebuilder, who is committed to youth in Ukraine through local and international projects. The promotion of democratic and human rights, which was at the heart of her daily work in 2011; from 2014 onwards, due to the deteriorating security situation in Ukraine, Yuliya's work turned to conflict transformation and the better inclusion of young people in peacebuilding initiatives. The episode addresses the harsh psychological reality of war and the place of women as well as mothers in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. In sum, Yuliya describes the suffering of women and children from the violence of the conflict and the taboo of sexual violences as a weapon of war. Music credit: 'Coffee Shopping' by Bruno Freitas, licensed under hooksounds.com. * Après des années de confrontation et de tensions diplomatiques, l'Ukraine a été envahie par la Russie le 24 février 2022. La guerre a donc gravement affecté la cohésion sociale, la sécurité des communautés et la résilience des communautés locales, en particulier des femmes et des filles. Cet épisode est structuré en deux parties interdépendantes : la première partie vise à mettre en lumière le rôle des femmes dans la consolidation de la paix, tandis que la seconde partie, plus intime, se concentre sur le quotidien et les perceptions des femmes durant la crise actuelle. En effet, le podcast retrace la vie d'une femme bâtisseuse de paix qui a décidé de s'engager auprès des jeunes en Ukraine à travers des projets locaux et internationaux. La promotion des droits démocratiques et humains, qui était au cœur de son travail quotidien en 2011, s'est soudainement tournée vers la transformation des conflits et la meilleure inclusion des jeunes dans les initiatives de construction de la paix à partir de 2014, en raison de la détérioration de la situation sécuritaire en Ukraine. Enfin, l'entretien aborde la dure réalité psychologique de la guerre et la place des femmes, ainsi que des mères, dans le conflit russo-ukrainien. Globalement, elle décrit la souffrance des femmes et des enfants face à la violence des combats et le tabou des violences sexuelles comme arme de guerre.