Building Capacity for Peace

What is it to Build the Capacity for Peace?

“Every time we come together, we put another brick in the wall and the diverse bricks fit together in this wall to create solidarity..an overall unity and base to support our different views. Every dialogue I conduct is building a capacity for peace.

I believe that the only way we can understand one another is to come to the table.

For many years the US Federation for Middle East Peace has uprooted prejudice at every level through dialoguing and conducting interfaith and cross-cultural conferences.”

- Salwa Kader,
Transcript from Speech at Capacity for Peace

The Role of the Family in Building Social and Economic Security for Humanity:

In context of sharing of responsibilities between women and men, including our roles in the care giving of AIDS victims, the focal point of this conference was to discuss  “The role of the family in building social and Economic security for humanity”.

The importance of understanding the concept of shared responsibility within the family is a priority in all cultures.

The family unites all humanity across cultural and national boundaries as well as the essentiality of basic and continued care-giving measures. This includes the important economic, medical, psychological and social infrastructure concerns in combating the devastating and multiplying impact of AIDS on the family.

Co-sponsoring the event was the Association National Al Hidn of Morocco. Presenters included:  Professor Mina Oumlil; Professor Khadija Moufid, President and organizer of Al Hidn; Salwa Kader, President of USFMEP; and Professor Dr. Christine Schiwietz of Georgetown University.

Some of the highlights at the conference included a summary of the Horton and Hunt’s seven family functions and the impacts of AIDS on families.

Muslim, Christian and Jewish Women Who Share the Vision of Understanding:

The panel brought together Muslim Christian and Jewish women who share the vision of understanding, tolerance, and peace. The focus was on the commonalities between the respective religions at the heart of which lie values of coexistence and respect. A world that is free of religion-driven violence must start with a compassionate dialogue between peoples of various faiths where similarities are emphasized and bridges of acceptance are built.

Speakers (left to right) were Rev. Patricia Ackerman, Dr. Diana Pinto, USFMEP President Mrs. Salwa Kader, Mrs. Aida Alzhanova Kazakhstan Permanent mission to the UN diplomat, and Mrs. June Jacobs, at the CSW53 Conference at the United nations

Equipping for Gender Analysis: Australia

The USFMEP workshop provided an introduction to gender analysis. Participants considered key gender concepts and a selection of gender analysis frameworks, approaches, tools and questions. Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) are being called upon to play a more proactive role in supporting gender equality. In this workshop we explored the tools and instruments NGOs can use to facilitate gender analysis and build awareness on two important international instruments -Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and UN Security Council Resolution 1325. See the workshop summary report.

Stockholm Conference

The USFMEP held a conference regarding the Role of Immigrant women towards international peace.

Speakers included:

Mrs. Sally Kader, President (US Federation for Middle East Peace), Permanent Representative to United Nation, NY;

H.E. Mrs. Zohour Alaoui, Ambassador of Morocco to Sweden;

Ms. Sonya Gardfjord, UNIFEM Sweden, Human Rights Advocate;

Ms. Yvone Rawada, Swedish Parliament member.

Prayer Breakfast with President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden

Delegation from the US Federation for Middle East Peace at the prayer breakfast with President Obama and vice president Joe Biden. In attendance was Congressman Mr. Travis Childers of Mississippi and Judge Eugene Hamilton of the District of Colombia, the Ambassador of permanent mission of Philippines to the United Nations with his wife plus a dozen foreign leaders, including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who delivered the keynote address, during the National Prayer Breakfast  in Washington, D.C.

Gaza Humanitarian Crisis

US Federation for Middle East Peace Panel discussion on Gaza Humanitarian Crisis at the United Nations HQ in New York.  In the photo the speakers are: from left to right Ambassador Richard Murphy former assistant Secretary of States, Mr. Andrew Whitley Director UNRWA  Representative office at the UN in New York, Mrs. Sally (Salwa) Shatila Kader, USFMEP President and permanent representative to the United Nations, Ms. Sarah Whitson, Executive Director, MENA Division, Human Rights watch, Professor Stephen Shalom, Political Science Department, William Peterson University spoke about the legal aspects of Gaza Humanitarian Crisis and Q&A .  Ms. Olivia Tecosky of United Nations office for the coordination of Humanitarian Affairs at the UNHQ gave the latest update of Gaza situation on the ground. Our co-sponsors who participated are Mennonite Central Committee Liaison Office to UN, World Council of Churches Liaison Office to UN, Presbyterian Church UN Office and the Arab Staff Organization at the UN. The panel discussion report summary more photos >>>

Muslims’ and Hindus’ Vision of Understanding, Tolerance and Peace.

United Nations Headquarters;
Wednesday, December 3, 2008;

In recognition of 2009 as the “Year of Reconciliation” and promotion of the Culture, of Peace, the USFMEP explores this theme in a discussion on our commonality through spirituality and consciousness. Cosponsored by H.H. Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj, Spiritual Leader,The Veda Foundation and, International Society for Krishna Consciousness.  This was an extremely successful conference with a universal prayer for the victims of Bombay atrocities.  It was greatly appreciated by Indian nationals.

The Culture of Peace

King Abdullah’s initiative has come at a time when the need for dialogue among religions, cultures and civilizations see Islamic Civilization Exhibit has never been greater. It has brought together people who might not otherwise have a chance to interact. Along with other initiatives, it will contribute to building a more harmonious world.

The two-day Nov. 12-13, 2008 “Culture of Peace” gathering, convened on the initiative of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, called for mutual understanding through dialogue, and respect for human rights among proponents of various faiths, cultures, and civilizations. Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah, who in an opening speech on Wednesday denounced terrorism as the enemy of all religions, initiated the meeting, attended by leaders and diplomats from some 70 countries. The meeting reaffirmed the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The meeting further recalled that all States have pledged themselves under the Charter to promote respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, including freedoms of belief and expression, without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion. Below are photos of the World Leaders attended culture of Peace conference.

INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ERADICATION OF POVERTY

INTERNATIONAL DAY 17 October 2007  FOR THE ERADICATION OF POVERTY

The Theme for the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty in 2007 is People Living in Poverty as Agents of Change: 20th Anniversary of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Over 43.7 million people, in 127 countries have broken the Guinness World Record – set last year at 23.5 million – for the largest number of people to “

USFMEP Delegation for the International Day of Peace Conference for 2008 at Hurghada, Egypt  will visit the Misr University for Science and Technology to pay tribute to the late Dr. Souad Kafafi for the great work she did to her country education. Delegation member Mrs. Kader received an Award from Chancellor Dr. Souad A. Kafafi Egyptian academician in April of 2004,  for her work in the role of women in the Middle East peace process.