SEPT 21 UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE WORLDWIDE PRAYERS FOR PEACE. LIVE! via Ustream

LIVE! VIA USTREAM: https://www.facebook.com/sailingforpeace/app_196506863720166. JOIN US IN PRAYING WHEREVER YOU ARE 12:00 NOON PST & 7:00 PM GMT. FOR A MOMENT OF PRAYER, WE ARE ALL CONNECTED GLOBALLY AS ONE ON SEPT 21. PRAYER HEALS & UNITES. BELIEVE! INTERFAITH INTERRACIAL INTERCULTURAL PRAYER FOR PEACE: "God bless your day whatever your mood maybe May the angels guide you and protect you from harm If you are travelling, may you find the road and arrive at your destinations safely If trouble comes along the way, may it turn into blessings favorable to all May you meet new friends and may the old ones stay May the love of our Divine Creator fill your emptiness... ...and may you feel it in the vastness of the universe If u get so tired today, may you find time to look up at the sky, feel the air, recharge and rejuvenate. And in all the things you did today, may your faith increase May you be inspired by the diversity of people's personalities, and be grateful that you were granted the chance to lead them And at the end of the day tonight as you rest, may you be thankful for all the blessings that this day had. and pray to forgive those who offended you. Amen." Thank you for saying the "PRAYER FOR PEACE" to someone. Please feel free to share... Let’s provide a way for peace to come……in rough waves…or still waters……hop in… trust me…let’s sail for peace." Sailing for Peace Worldwide Peace Vigil 2011-2015.

SEPT 21 FREE! WELLNESS FOR PEACE LEADERSHIP GUIDELINES & WORKSHOP BY AMB ZARA JANE JUAN. LIVE! via Ustream

LIVE! via Ustream: https://www.facebook.com/wellnessforpeace/app_196506863720166 SAILING FOR PEACE FOR UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE CELEBRATION. Penned by Ambassador Zara from her remarkable experiences as an Ambassador of Goodwill since 2003, Wellness for Peace® is a Modular Program on Nation Building implemented through seminars and workshops meant to achieve peace at home, at school and at the workplaces through the Author’s peace formula of wellness in mind, body, spirit, environment & economics. As Philippine Contribution to UN International Day of Peace, it consists of yoga for stress management, wellness food tips, and practical peace leadership guidelines needed for Climate Change Peace Building Campaign worldwide. Share! Learn! Celebrate! Rejuvenate and Bring Peace to our home, schools and workplaces! See you! SEPT 21, 2014 SUNDAY VENUE IN THE PHILIPPINES: UNO International Main Office 355 Ortigas Ave., Brgy. Wack-Wack, Mandaluyong City, 1555 Manila, Philippines TIME: 8AM-12:30PM PROGRAM: 8AM-8:30AM SINGING OF OUR COUNTRY'S NATIONAL ANTHEM OPENING PRAYERS & WELCOME REMARKS BY UNO 8:30-8:45 ARTISTIC EXPRESSIONS OF PEACE IN MUSIC, DANCE, VISUALS ARTS 8:45AM-9:45AM SHARING OF PEACE MESSAGES FROM PEOPLE IN ALL WALKS OF LIFE.PLEASE SHARE YOUR PEACE MESSAGE DURING THE EVENT 9:45AM-10:30AM MESSAGE OF PEACE FROM UNITED NATIONS PEACE LEADERSHIP EDUCATION GUIDELINES WELLNESS FOR PEACE EDUCATION WORKSHOP 10:30AM-11:30AM "WE INNOVATE PEACE!" PEACE FORUM FOR CLIMATE CHANGE PEACE BUILDING PROGRAM GUIDE QUESTIONS: 1. HOW WILL YOU WORK FOR PEACE? 2. CAN YOU BE A PEACE LEADER @HOME WORKPLACE? NOTE: SHARE YOUR PEACE THOUGHTS. ALL PEACE CONCERNS AND OPINIONS WILL BE SUBMITTED TO UNITED NATIONS FOR CLIMATE CHANGE PEACE BUILDING WORLDWIDE. . YOUR OPINION MATTERS WHOEVER YOU ARE AND WHATEVER YOU DO. PLEASE COME AND SHARE YOUR OPINIONS FOR THE SAKE OF PEACE IN OUR ENVIRONMENT. 11:30AM-11:45AM "WE INITIATE PEACE" SHARING OF INTERFAITH INTERRACIAL AND INTERCULTURAL MESSAGES AND PRAYERS FROM VARIOUS RELIGIOUS & NON-RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS 11:45AM WHITE CANDLE LIGHT CEREMONY WELLNESS WORKSHOP BREATHING EXERCISES (Inhale-Exhale-Relax 10x) INDIVIDUAL WRITING OF PRAYER REQUEST FOR THE FLYING OF WHITE BALLOONS 12:00NOON INTERFAITH INTERRACIAL INTERCULTURAL PRAYERS FOR PEACE GLOBAL BROADCAST WORLDWIDE FLYING OF PEACE DOVE ON AIR FLYING OF WHITE BALLOONS WITH PRAYER REQUEST ON AIR FREE HUGS OF PEACE TO EVERYBODY SIGNING TO PEACE BANNER/TARP POSTED ON THE WALL PICTURE-TAKING Thank you! Peace & Love:-) God bless you! Ambassador ZARA JANE JUAN Author & Resource Speaker, Wellness for Peace® Modular Program (Climate Change Peace Building Adaptation Campaign, Philippine Contribution to United Nations International Day of Peace 2011) Internet Journalist & Peace Ambassador, UN International Day of Peace (Sailing for Peace Worldwide Peace Vigil 2011-2015) Citations as Author, Resource Speaker, Media Practitioner & Peace Ambassador: University of the Philippines Manila as UN Ambassador for International Day of Peace 2011 Far Eastern University of the Philippines as Guest Speaker on Climate Change & Wellness Medal of Honor Awardee by Diocese of Novaliches Philippines Rotary Club of Loyola Heights QC as writer, resource speaker, television host and producer, advocate of culture, arts, environment, women and children's causes, proponent of wellness and animal protection Catholic Educational Association of the Phil (CEAP) for the significant role and contribution to health and wellness, transformative education and stewardship of creation Office of the President (NCRFW) on “Wellness in Mind, Body, Spirit, Environment & Economics, a tool for Nation-Building” Royal Order of Sulu and Sabah as Lady Knight and Ambassador of Goodwill Children International as Ambassador of Goodwill on “Sailing for Peace Program Philippines” Her List of Citations as Author & Resource Speaker: Plaque of Appreciation from Philippine Heart Center on "Colors of Wellness" Plaque of Appreciation from Philippine Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine (PARM) on “Innovative Mind & Body” Plaque of Appreciation from Office of the President NCDA on “Innovative Mind & Body” Certificate of Appreciation from Roman Catholic Bishop of Novaliches Educational System (RCBN-ES) on “Innovative Mind & Body” Certificate of Appreciation on “Colors of Wellness” from De La Salle University (DLSU) Manila Plaque of Appreciation from St. Mary’s Pasay “On Mentoring Kids & Teens to Become Young Leaders” Plaque of Appreciation on “Integrity in the Workplace” by San Lorenzo School, San Pedro Laguna Plaque of Appreciation from San Roque Catholic School on “Corporate Communication” Plaque of Appreciation on “Innovative Styles in Teaching” & “Vocation @ Work” from Treasury of the Golden Word School Plaque of Appreciation on “Innovative Styles in Teaching” from Assoc of Private Schools in Batangas City Plaque of Appreciation on “Colors of Wellness” from Assoc of Private Schools in Baguio City Plaque of Recognition on “Innovative Mind & Body” from Dr. Carlos Lanting College, QC Plaque of Appreciation on Leadership Training from Recoletos Academy, Antipolo, Rizal Plaque of Appreciation on Public Speaking-A Breakthrough Approach! from University of Perpetual Help Cavite Plaque of Appreciation on Artistic Exploration from Elizabeth Seton School, Las Piñas & Cavite Plaque of Appreciation on Developing Positive Mental Attitude from Informatics Plaque of Appreciation on “The Art of Leadership” from Philippine Cultural High School Manila Certificate of Appreciation on Preparing Teachers for the Internet Age (Internet 101 Innovative Personality) from Kid's World Christian Academy, San Mateo Rizal Certificate of Appreciation on "Balik-Bata"Workshop from Philippine Cultural High School, Mla Certificate of Appreciation on “Innovative Mind & Body” from St. Matthew’s College, San Mateo Certificate of Recognition on Personality Development from Sto. Niño School, Muntinlupa Certificate of Recognition on Theatre Arts from Good Shepherd Cathedral School, QC https://www.facebook.com/events/193229070838016/

CELEBRATE! INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE SEPT 21. JOIN! 10AM PEACE FORUM & 12:00NN PRAYERS FOR PEACE INTERFAITH, INTERRACIAL, INTERCULTURAL WORLDWIDE by Ambassador ZARA JANE JUAN

नमस्ते Namaste The Spirit in me respects the spirit in you ........ Assalamu'alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be with you..............Peace be with you............. Amituofo Amitabha Buddha Let's do an act of goodness today!......... Let's Pray the Prayer for Peace wherever you are..........God bless your day whatever your mood maybe. May the angels guide you and protect you from harm. If you are travelling, may you find the road and arrive at your destinations safely If trouble comes along the way, may it turn into blessings favorable to all. May you meet new friends and may the old ones stay. May the love of our Divine Creator fill your emptiness. and may you feel it in the vastness of the universe. If u get so tired today, may you find time to look up at the sky, feel the air, recharge and rejuvenate. And in all the things you did today, may your faith increase. May you be inspired by the diversity of people's personalities, and be grateful that you were granted the chance to lead them. And at the end of the day tonight as you rest, may you be thankful for all the blessings that this day had; and pray to forgive those who offended you. Amen." HOW WILL YOU WORK FOR PEACE? Phone: 63 9295197788 ambassadorzara@gmail.com

UPDATE: Life-saving food aid in jeopardy for millions of Syrians, warns UN agency

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned that it is running out of funds to provide food for almost 6 million Syrians receiving its life-saving assistance. WFP has “reached a critical point where drastic cutbacks are unavoidable,” according to a statement on the Programme’s website. The agency says that it needs $352 million for its operations until the end of the year, including $95 million for its work inside Syria, and $257 million to support refugees in neighbouring countries. Unless more funds come in, starting in October, the size of the Syria food parcel will be reduced and in neighbouring countries the number of refugees receiving food or vouchers will be cut. Next month, WFP will continue to provide food to more than 4 million people in Syria, but the food parcel will be smaller, providing less than 60 percent of the nutritional value recommended in emergencies. The agency will have to cut parcels even more in November if it doesn’t have the funds. And for December, WFP has no funding available for programmes in Syria. “It is a cruel irony that in recent weeks WFP has had better access inside Syria that has enabled us to reach a record 4.17 million people in August, including those in hard-to-reach areas. But just as we have the potential to scale up, the cupboard is bare, and unless we receive new contributions we will be unable to provide people with desperately needed food,” said the statement.

UPDATE: UN envoy meets with Greek Cypriot, Turkish Cypriot leaders

The United Nations Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide met with the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, who reaffirmed their commitment to lead negotiations through a win-win approach and reach a settlement soon. “The leaders met last September 17 in a friendly and constructive atmosphere following their fruitful discussions at dinner last night,” said Mr. Eide in a statement to the press. According to the statement, the leaders agreed that their negotiators and teams had completed submitting proposals on all issues and recognised the enormous amount of work that had been conducted to conclude the second phase of the negotiations. “The leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to lead the negotiations in an interdependent, results-oriented manner, through a win-win approach – with the aim to reach a settlement as soon as possible and hold separate simultaneous referenda thereafter, in order to put an end to the unacceptable status quo, as outlined in the Joint Declaration.” Further, the leaders agreed to move to the next phase of structured negotiations and to increase the fluency of their meetings, as appropriate, and to hold meetings at least twice a month. “They have instructed their negotiators to enter into active negotiations with a view to bridging the gaps through real negotiation on unresolved core issues and to increase the pace of their meetings,” said Mr. Eide. The leaders also thanked Ms. [Lisa] Buttenheim for her “tireless efforts” in facilitating talks during the five months that she was acting Special Adviser. The United Nations works through the good offices of the Secretary-General to assist in the search for a comprehensive and mutually acceptable settlement to the Cyprus problem. The UN also maintains a peacekeeping force in Cyprus, known as UNFICYP, which was deployed in 1964, when inter-communal fighting erupted on the Mediterranean island.

UPDATE: ‘No losers, only partners’ with Afghan unity government, Security Council told

There is “quite simply no better way forward” other than a unity government in Afghanistan, United Nations envoy Ján Kubiš, told the Security Council from Kabul in his final briefing in that capacity. Mr. Kubiš, who is the head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), told Security Council members via videoconference that the current political deadlock is deepening a crisis which has already taken a heavy political, security and economic toll in the country with “real risks for the future.” “There is quite simply no better way forward other than a government of national unity led by an elected President, as certified by the Independent Election Commission,” he said. Mr. Kubiš stressed that “I continue to emphasize that in a government of national unity there will be no losers – only partners.” The main phase of the UN-supervised audit of the 14 June presidential run-off election was completed on 4 September and the announcement of updated results is expected shortly. Top UN officials, including Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman, have in meetings and telephone conversations with Afghanistan’s two presidential candidates, Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, underscored the world body’s call for a successful conclusion to the country’s election process. Mr. Kubiš told the Security Council today that “if there is not agreement by the time of the certification of results, new dynamics will be set in play with the potential to trigger further uncertainty, even the risk of conflict.” “The time remaining is now short – and by this I mean one or two days,” he said. In his briefing, the UN envoy also gave an update on the serious and growing challenges faced by Afghanistan. He noted a tactical shift in the insurgency that has seen attempts to exert control over territory across Afghanistan, and that civilians continue to bear the brunt of the conflict. In the first eight months of this year, civilian casualties rose by 15 percent compared with the same period last year with more than 2,300 killed and more than 4,500 injured, the envoy said. Mr. Kubiš said the briefing today will be his last as Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Afghanistan, where he has served since January 2012. He noted the confidence placed by the UN by all parties, including amidst the current events, and that “going forward, the United Nations will continue to have an important role both in Afghanistan and the region.” News Tracker: past stories on this issue Meeting Afghan presidential candidates, UN political chief urges unity, pledges support

UPDATE: UN Women Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson urges women’s political participation

On her first country visit as UN Women’s Goodwill Ambassador, acclaimed British actor Emma Watson in Uruguay highlighted the need for women’s political participation as the country gears up for elections with a first-ever national quota law guaranteeing 30 per cent women’s representation. “Women must have a say in matters that affect their countries, communities and families. After all, they are half of the population, so women’s equal participation in decision-making is a question of justice and democracy,” Ms. Watson said yesterday in the Uruguayan capital, Montevideo. The meeting Ms. Watson attended was hosted by the organization Cotidiano Mujer, a grantee of UN Women’s Fund for Gender Equality, together with partner organizations CIRE (Ciudadanías en Red) y CNS Mujeres. During her visit, Ms. Watson met with women’s advocates from around the country, and listened to their strategies for increasing women’s voice and agency across all political platforms. She also met with top Government officials and young women politicians and will participate in an event where women’s rights activists will submit signatures calling for an extension of the national quota law. The event is the culmination of the “Do your bit for the quota” campaign, launched in July. “Emma is a strong voice for young people worldwide. Her commitment to the issues that we work on at UN Women multiplies our ability to reach and engage more young people – who are key to advancing gender equality,” said UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, in a press release. Globally, women’s political participation remains low, with only one in five parliamentarians being a woman. In Uruguay, in spite of efforts, women’s representation in Parliament stands at 13.1 per cent, placing the country at 103rd position in the world ranking of women in Parliament by the Inter-Parliamentary Union and UN Women, below the world average (21.8 per cent). “Women’s rights are personal to me, especially on political participation and leadership. I am delighted to be here…as a Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women and learn about the work on the ground, hear from the people at the frontlines, and to understand what is working and what is not,” said Ms. Watson during her visit. To change that, women’s groups in Uruguay have been galvanizing support by leveraging the quota law, and by strengthening alliances between the women's social movement and political parties. “I have learned that it is also a question of priorities, as women are more likely to focus on issues such as education, health, unpaid care economy and the environment. These are important issues that affect all of us,” she added. On Saturday, Ms. Watson will be at UN Headquarters in New York co-hosting a special event for UN Women’s HeForShe campaign. The event aims to kick-start one of the largest solidarity movements of the 21st century for the achievement of gender equality by calling upon half of humanity in support of the other half. According to UN Women, over the next 12 months the HeForShe campaign intends to mobilize one billion men and boys as advocates and agents of change in ending the persisting inequalities faced by women and girls globally.

UPDATE: UN announces mission to combat Ebola, declares outbreak ‘threat to peace and security’

The Security Council, in its first emergency meeting on a public health crisis declared the Ebola outbreak in West Africa a threat to peace and security, as Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced that the United Nations will deploy a new emergency health mission to combat one of most horrific diseases on the planet that has shattered the lives of millions. “This international mission, to be known as the United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response, or UNMEER, will have five priorities: stopping the outbreak, treating the infected, ensuring essential services, preserving stability and preventing further outbreaks,” Mr. Ban told the Security Council. “Under the leadership of a Special Representative of the Secretary-General, the Mission will bring together the full range of UN actors and expertise in support of national efforts,” he said, adding that details of the mission were sent in a letter to the Security Council and the UN General Assembly. The Secretary-General said the mission’s effectiveness will depend crucially on support from the international community. “Our best estimate is that we need a 20-fold increase in assistance,” he said. The United Nations this week outlined a set of critical needs totalling almost $1 billion over the next six months. Mr. Ban spoke before the Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution, sponsored by 131 countries – reportedly more than any other sponsors of a resolution to date in the chamber – “determining that the unprecedented extent of the Ebola outbreak in Africa constitute a threat to international peace and security.” Expressing concern about the detrimental effect of the isolation of Ebola-hit Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone as a result of trade and travel restrictions imposed on the affected countries, the Council called on Member States, including of the region, to such restrictions imposed as a result of the outbreak, and to facilitate the delivery of assistance, including qualified, specialized and trained personnel and supplies to the affected countries. Briefing the Council members, Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General of the UN World Health Organization (WHO) said: “None of us experienced in containing outbreaks has ever seen, in our lifetimes, an emergency on this scale, with this degree of suffering and with this magnitude of cascading consequences.” Emphasizing that the current reports that show that more than 5,500 people have been infected by Ebola and more than 2,500 killed by it in West Africa are “vast underestimates,” Dr. Chan said the WHO Ebola Response Roadmap outlines 12 critical actions. “The fact that the United States, Unite Kingdom, China, Cuba and other countries are using a variety of assets, including military, speaks to the complexity of the challenge,” she said. “This surge in support could help turn things around for the roughly 22 million people, in the hardest-hit countries whose lives and societies have been shattered by one of the most horrific diseases on this planet,” Dr. Chan said. The Secretary-General said “the penalty for inaction is high. We need to race ahead of the outbreak – and then turn and face it with all our energy and strength.” He called out to non-traditional donors, the business community, for example, to contribute in the health, transport, communications and information sectors. Both the UN Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council for the month of September, US Ambassador Samantha Power, said only twice before has the Security Council met to discuss the security implications of a public health issue – both times on the AIDS epidemic. Today’s meeting was the first emergency meeting on a public health issue, according to the Security Council President. In his closing remarks to the Council, Dr. David Nabarro, the Senior United Nations System Coordinator for Ebola, welcomed the “powerful solidarity” shown during the day-long meeting for the countries affected, as well as appreciation for what they and their partners are doing to confront the outbreak. Some countries, including from Africa, had offered some significant commitments in support of the international Ebola response. “This has been such an extraordinary outpouring of support from all over the world – a real global coalition,” he said. Speaking to the press immediately after the meeting, Dr. Chan said she too had been touched by the outpouring of solidarity, which “gives us hope that the global community understands the severity of the outbreak and the fact that no one country or organization can address it alone.” Also briefing the Council today was Jackson K. P. Niamah of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) via videoconference from Monrovia, Liberia.

UPDATE: Security Council again demands immediate release of peacekeepers detained in Golan

3 September 2014 – The Security Council called again today for the immediate and unconditional release of 45 United Nations peacekeepers seized late last week by an armed group in the Golan, while the Organization’s top peacekeeping official said the UN is continuing to look at ways to enhance safety and security procedures in what has become a “very challenging situation.” Reading an agreed statement to the press, Ambassador Samantha Power of the United States, which holds the Council’s rotating presidency this month, said its members again strongly condemned the detention of 45 Fijian peacekeepers “by a Security Council-designated terrorist organization.” The Fijian peacekeepers, serving with the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), monitoring a ceasefire established in 1974 between Israel and Syria, were detained on 28 August, by armed elements of the Syrian opposition in the vicinity of Al Qunaytirah. In a separate incident, 72 Filipino peacekeepers that had been surrounded by armed elements in two different locations in the Golan were later safely relocated. Ms. Power said today that Council members welcomed news that all Filipino peacekeepers are now safe, and they commended the efforts of UNDOF’s Quick Reaction Force. “They reiterated their call for the peacekeepers’ immediate and unconditional release. There can never be any justification for attacks on or the detention of UN peacekeepers,” she said. Further to the statement, she said the Council insisted that UNDOF’s mandate, impartiality, operations, safety, and security must be respected. To that end, Council members demanded “all groups other than UNDOF must abandon all UNDOF positions and the Quneitra crossing point, and return the peacekeepers’ vehicles, weapons, and other equipment.” Council members commended UNDOF’s peacekeepers for their bravery in facing the threats and challenges in their area of operation, Ms. Power said, adding that they called on all parties to cooperate with UNDOF in good faith to enable it to operate freely and to ensure full security of its personnel. “They also called upon countries with influence to strongly convey to those responsible to immediately release the peacekeepers,” she added. The Council’s statement came immediately after a closed-door briefing by Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations Hervé Ladsous concerning the welfare of UNDOF peacekeepers in the Golan. Speaking to reporters, Mr. Ladsous explained that for years, UNDOF’s area of operation had been “relatively quiet,” but as the situation in the region became more dangerous and unpredictable, especially amid the ongoing conflict in Syria, the area had seen the increased presence of armed groups. Those groups were increasingly engaging with Syrian armed forces. “This was the case last week when large numbers of armed groups launched an attack in the area of separation [monitored by UNDOF]. As things stand, we still have 45 peacekeepers from Fiji still being detained,” he said, adding: “It is our goal – and what we demand – to achieve the immediate, safe and unconditional release of these peacekeepers.” The situation made clear that it was very important that UNDOF’s mandate continue, said Mr. Ladsous, noting that the situation is “very challenging” and the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) is sparing no effort to ensure the safe return of the detained peacekeepers, while also working to improve the mission’s military equipment and medical facilities. He went on to commend the performance of the peacekeepers and especially the UNDOF Force Commander, Lt. Gen. Iqbal Singh Singha. Responding to questions regarding the reported tender of resignation of another ranking Filipino UNDOF military official, Mr. Ladsous said it was important to recognize that all the detained Filipino troops had either escaped or been recovered during the operation launched by the Quick Reaction Force. “The situation on the ground is a fluid one and the decision was to launch the Quick Reaction Force to extract the peacekeepers. General Singha exercised good, solid judgement [throughout] the process,” said Mr. Ladsous. To another question on adjustments to UNDOF in the wake of the recent incidents and the spate of similar incidents the peacekeepers faced last year, he said the mission’s mandate was based on the 1974 agreement between Israel and Syria, and that would remain the framework of UNDOF’s operations. “[Yet] no one could have factored in what is currently going on in the area of separation,” he said, so while it would be up to the parties to discuss changes, DPKO has been working to address safety issues, medical care and adjust patterns of monitoring patrol.

UPDATE: Citing women’s crucial role in peacebuilding, UN officials urge concrete support on ground

3 September 2014 – Women are crucial partners in peacebuilding and must be guaranteed the safe political space, including a seat at the “negotiating table,” to participate in all steps of post-conflict reconciliation and recovery processes, stressed high-level United Nations officials today at a Headquarters event. Chair of the UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), Antonio de Aguiar Patriota, of Brazil, said that today’s meeting, co-organized by the Commission and UN Women, was an opportunity to leave the “bird’s eye” view and dive into the concrete reality of women’s peacebuilding work. He recalled visiting countries emerging from conflict such as Guinea Bissau and Liberia and meeting with women’s groups to discuss their concerns. Insufficient funding continues to be one of the main challenges hampering women’s participation in peacebuilding, Mr. Patriota said, stressing that donor support was acutely needed. Concrete support is often elusive. More must be done to translate the vision into tangible results. The Commission was established in 2005 to propose integrated strategies for post-conflict recovery. Its fund, created the following year, has since allocated $27 million to mainstream gender in peacebuilding. It plans to donate more to empower women in peacebuilding. Today’s discussion aims to provide an important contribution for the preparations of the 2015 high-level review of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) on “women, peace and security”, which urged all actors to increase the participation of women in all peace efforts. The upcoming review should examine how to best support peacebuilding work women do at the community level and ensure their security. From 2000 to 2013, the Security Council adopted a series of seven resolutions on the issue, effectively recognizing that women’s protection and participation are directly linked to security issues. In 2010, the Secretary-General defined a seven-point Action Plan on Gender-Responsive Peacebuilding, identifying seven concrete commitments (on mediation, post-conflict planning, financing, civilian capacity, post-conflict governance, rule of law and economic recovery) to mainstream women’s participation. Also delivering opening remarks, via video, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women, recalled her trip to conflict-stricken nations such as South Sudan and Syria. She described meeting women who are affected by war and witnessing the “strengthen and resilience” of women peace-builders and their hope for a better future. Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka said the global community can rally around three key messages that would promote investment in women’s leadership is peacebuilding. First, funds must be allocated to support women at the grassroots level. In the aftermath of any war, millions of dollars are spent on reconstruction and reconciliation. These funds “predominately benefit men” while women face extremely limited resources. In fact, she said, women are more likely than men to devote a proportion of their income to benefit families. Yet, women’s local peacebuilding initiatives, while acknowledged by the international community, tend to go unrecognized while official, high-level peace negotiation and medication processes take centre stage. Hence the second point: women must be guaranteed a political space at the peace negotiating table. It has been 14 years since the international community first demonstrated its commitment to supporting women’s roles in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, yet only a handful of women are involved in formal peace talks. “For peace processes to be effective and long-lasting all people must be involved including men women, boys and girls,” said Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka. Lastly, the international community must ensure the protection of women. The targeting of women who speak up for their communities is “unacceptable” and must be addressed, she continued, stressing that UN Women stands ready to accelerate progress on this front. “Women and girls have waited for too long for us to take action, for justice, for services and reparation. They cannot wait much longer.” Following opening remarks, participants heard from several women leaders who shared their peacebuilding experiences and recommendations. A keynote address by Ms. Leymah Gbowee, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate preceded a panel discussion with Ms. Alice Nderitu, Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, Ms. Wazhma Frogh “Zulfiqar”, Co-Founder and Executive Director at the Institute for Women, Peace & Security, and Ms. Rosa Emilia Salamanca, Executive Director of Corporación de Investigación y Acción Social y Económica (CIASE).