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IFOR Expresses Condolences & Solidarity with Nepal

Nepal has suffered a second earthquake while still recovering from an earlier earthquake that had already claimed many lives and injured thousands. Members of IFOR, several of whom are still recovering from other disasters express their condolences for the loss of life and express solidarity with IFOR's branch in Nepal: Bikalpa Gyan Tatha Bikas Kendra, in Mahankalphant, Kathmandu.  

Bikalpa Gyan Tatha Kendra is engaged in relief work trying to support victims of the earthquake. Their efforts include attempts to address the physical and psychological wellbeing of children many of whom are now sleeping in tents after the destruction. More information about Bikalpa's activities can be found on their Bikalpa Earthquake Relief Facebook Page.  

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IFOR Europe discusses Child Recruitment, Nuclear Disarmament, & Trauma Healing

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IFOR Europe discusses Child Recruitment, Nuclear Disarmament, & Trauma Healing

Representatives of the European branches of the IFOR gathered in Bremen, Germany April 17-19, 2015. Representatives were from Branches and Affiliates in Austria, Belgium, England, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Wales. 

They were joined by Junior Nzita Nsuami from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), who was forcibly recruited at the age of 10 by the rebels seeking to overthrow the Mobutu dictatorship and fought in the DRC itself and Angolafor the next 12 years before finally passing through a demobilization and reintentegration programme sponsored by the international community.  He subsequently committed himself to the cause of helping those who as child soldierspassed through similar traumatic experiences; he has now been appointed a UN goodwill ambassador on the subject of child soldiers.

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Peace and Planet: Mobilize for a Nuclear Free World

On the eve of the 2015 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference at the United Nations thousands will mobilize in New York City and in other cities around the world to declare their support for a nuclear free world. The Peace and Planet Conference will be held on April 24-25 and will feature Reverend Osagyefo Sekou, a Fellow of IFOR’s branch in the United States.

On April 26, There will be an interfaith convocation ahead of the mass mobilization. The service is being coordinated by IFOR’s Representative to the United Nations, Mark Johnson. Several members of IFOR will be among those contributing to the service. The Convocation will be held in Tillman Chapel, Church Center at the United Nations, 777 First Avenue, New York, New York. The Service will begin at 10:30 AM. All are welcome to attend. More information about the service can be found on the Peace and Planet website.

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IFOR supports Egyptian Conscientious Objectors

IFOR is standing with an international coalition of organizations supporting the movement against compulsory military service in Egypt. The International Secretariat joined the IFOR branches in Austria, and Belgium as well as our historic partner War Resisters International in a statement of solidarity with the No to Compulsory Military Service Movement and with the Egyptian conscientious objector, Mark Nabil Sanad. The coalition called on the Egyptian government to

“respect international standards and meet the obligations to which it has committed itself. This includes recognizing the right of Mark Nabil Sanad to conscientious objection to military service.”

To read the full statement or find out more information about the No to Compulsory Military Service Movement in Egypt you can visit their website here.

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IFOR Provides Statements at 28th Human Rights Council

At the 28th Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, IFOR partnered with several organizations to offer testimony on the human rights situations in Tibet, Eritrea, and Bolivia.

Tibet: March 13

John Gaudette who works with the IFOR Affiliate, The Tibetan Center for Human Rights spoke under Agenda Item 3: Promotion and protection of all human rights civil, political, economic, social and cultural including the right to development. 

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Supporting the Rowntree Charitable Trust

IFOR Joins FOR England in supporting the Rowntree Charitable Trust

In recent weeks, the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust has come under increased scrutiny by and pressure from British authorities due to it’s funding of a controversial organization in the United Kingdom.  The JRCT is a Quaker organization that has a history of supporting peace and reconciliation including work supporting Conscientious Objection through IFOR and others. IFOR joined FOR England in a public letter expressing support for the Trust. 

Learn More about the JRCT

The BBC Reports on the JRCT Controversy

Read the letter of support for the JRCT that was published in the Times.

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Bombspotters Activists Threatened with Prison

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Bombspotters Activists Threatened with Prison

February 11, 2012, Seven pacifists entered into the NATO military headquarters also known as the SHAPE facility (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe), in an act of civil disobedience. The Bombspotters (Bomspotters in Dutch), as they called themselves, were there to denounce the presence of nuclear weapons on Belgian soil. They recorded their act of disobedience and posted videos of their actions on the internet. They have been issued a criminal summons to appear in court on October 26, 2015 the activists face up to five years in prison and a substantial fine.

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IFOR's Centennial Celebration

100 Years of Peace Work

Reflecting on the violence of the past and addressing the challenges of today, approximately 150 delegates from IFOR member organizations across the globe gathered in Konstanz, Germany 100 years after the outbreak of World War I. World-renowned nonviolence experts, representatives from like-minded peace organizations, and members of the general public joined IFOR in mourning, celebrating, and envisioning the future.

Photos from the Centennial

All photos by Jérôme Peraya

Thanks to our sponsors for your generous support!

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Philippines Branch AKKAPKA CANV Updates

Base Group Assembly & Core Group Seminar

AKKAPKA CANV held its base group assembly and core group seminar. During the assembly, AKKAPKA launched a new program using solar panels and bulbs to assist the poorer members of its base in the Philippines on Alabat Island, Quezon Province, southern part of Luzon. Five families of our base groups received a donation of solar panel package (each package contains a solar panel, two light bulbs with charge controller, charger and battery) as part of our partnership with a group of electrical and electronics engineers in our promotion of renewable source of energy.

Now, these families will have lights in their homes and they will no longer have to pay for the high cost of electricity. Their package also includes a charger for their mobile phones which is also sourced from the solar panel. They intend to propagate this hopefully throughout the island at the same time making the project a source of income for the base groups. This and other projects demonstrate that one cannot work for peace while ignoring poverty.

Photos from the Base Group Assembly

Base Group Assemblies are held every two months, this one being held at Bgy. Guinhawa, Alabat Island, Quezon Province.

Photos from March 1st's Core Group Seminar

The seminar was held at the Training Center of Quezon Municipality, Alabat Island, Quezon Province, where AKKAPKA CANV awarded two of the poorest women members with the solar packages.

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