Peace means children will not know the feeling of having five seconds to run to bomb shelter &/or not worry about suicide bomber on a bus...

"In recent years, the Palestinian economy has prospered in the West Bank. Undeniably, increased cooperation between Palestinians and the Israeli and American governments is important. Moreover, other foreign investors and governments have also begun to heavily invest in the West Bank. These investments have benefited both Palestinians and Israelis and are part of the infrastructure of a future Palestinian state. Prime Minister Salam Fayyad should be praised for his economic reform efforts within the Palestinian Authority.

Peace between Israel and the Palestinians would mean greater prosperity for both. Peace would mean easier access between the two nations, resulting in a situation where a person could live in Ramallah and work in Jerusalem. Peace would allow collaboration in major industries such as tourism, high tech, and agriculture. Researchers from the Peres Center for Peace in Israel have concluded that greater economic cooperation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority could yield an increase in Palestinian GDP by $8 billion in five to ten years. "

'via Blog this'Only Negotiations Will Bring Peace to the Middle East | StarTribune.com:

Philippines:“The road to peace is long and difficult. However, in the face of adversities and challenges, we should remain focused on the objective,”

Army chief: Peace, justice can be pursued at the same time - The Philippine Star » News » Headlines: "The Philippine Army remains fully supportive of the peace process. We will continue to reach out to our brothers, to choose the peaceful path and those who do so merit our unwavering support.” Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista

However, Bautista said the Army would apply “legitimate force” against those who insist on using arms to threaten public safety. “Yes, we will seek justice against those who commit atrocities through appropriate calibrated and focused response, without necessarily jeopardizing the peace process and within the bounds of human rights, international humanitarian law and rule of law,” he said. “After all, the use of legitimate force within the government’s overall framework of achieving peace and security is within the ambit of the IPSP (internal peace and security plan) Bayanihan.” Bayanihan seeks to implement programs that address the roots of armed rebellion like poverty. It also encourages the private sector and civil society to join efforts aimed at improving the rural communities’ access to basic services."

'via Blog this'

Rwanda: Leaders & diplomats of nine African countries, Haiti & Int'l Org find talked to find ways to build lasting peace

African Conference Discusses Peacebuilding | Africa | English: "Seventeen years ago last spring, Rwanda was the most violent place on earth. Today, Kigali parks are neatly manicured and people travel safely at any time of night. This week in Kigali, leaders from Sierra Leone, Liberia, Burundi, Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Haiti, South Sudan and Timor Leste traveled to Rwanda to learn how it’s done. Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza said that before peace can be sustainable, a country needs to maintain stability on the streets. Hundreds of thousands people were killed in the Burundian conflict that ended more than six years ago. Burundi remains one of the poorest countries on earth, and conflict remains a threat. "A multitude of Burundians were killed," said Nkurunziza. "Others were forced into exile. Property was looted, stolen. Infrastructure was destroyed and the government was also not spared.""

'via Blog this'

Liberia Elections: Leaders Agree No More Violence on Election Day

"Distraught over the violence that marred the eve of Liberia’s elections, a tearful Leymah Gbowee, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and the author of ‘Mighty Be Our Powers: How Sisterhood, Prayer, and Sex Changed a Nation at War,’ risked her life to force a meeting with Liberia’s leaders to help broker peace.

Today Liberians go to the polls in what will be a defining moment for their tenuous democracy. In a region bristling with weapons and tension, Liberia has managed eight years of peace and economic growth. The last five of them have been under the leadership of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first democratically elected woman serving as a head of state in Africa, and one of last month’s Nobel Peace Prize laureates. She is heavily favored to win the country’s runoff election today. And to everyone’s great relief, the atmosphere surrounding the election season has been mostly peaceful."

'via Blog this'Leymah Gbowee, Nobel Laureate, Brokers Peace for Liberia Elections - The Daily Beast: "

Sports is not about being champion. You can be champion of your community, you can be champion of your life - Legendary Runners Promote Peace & Sport

Legendary Runners Promote Peace And Sport At New York City Marathon - Forbes: "Three legendary runners—Paula Radcliffe, the current marathon world record holder; Tegla Loroupe, the first African woman to win the New York City marathon; and Wilson Kipketer, a triple 800-meter world champion–are using the 2011 New York City marathon to bring attention to Peace and Sport, a global group that aims to reconcile divided communities through sport."

'via Blog this'

Update: Yemen: U.N. Security Council urged President Ali Abdullah Saleh to sign a deal requiring him to step down in exchange for immunity

UPDATE 2-Heavy fighting in Yemen after U.N. resolution - The Washington Post: "Witnesses also said at least five people were killed in overnight clashes between forces loyal to Saleh and soldiers led by Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, a general who broke ranks with Saleh after protests began in January. Gunmen loyal to tribal leader Sadiq al-Ahmar were also involved in the fighting.

Responding to the decision made by the U.N. Security Council, a Yemeni government source said Saturday that Sanaa remains committed to the gulf council’s peace plan and called for international help to ensure its implementation.

“The government of the Republic of Yemen is willing to deal positively with U.N. Security Council resolution 2014, for it conforms with the Yemeni government efforts to put an end to the political crisis on the basis of the Gulf Cooperation Council initiative,” a Yemeni government source said in a statement.

Saleh has backed down three times from signing the gulf initiative, which came after months of protests."

'via Blog this'

Philippines, Muslim rebels agree to continue peace talks despite clashes - The Washington Post

Philippines, Muslim rebels agree to continue peace talks despite clashes - The Washington Post: "The rebel and government negotiators on Thursday also agreed to have Malaysian-led international monitors and the joint cease-fire committee investigate the Oct. 18 clash. Despite the rebel’s claim of Asnawi’s being cleared, the military said Wednesday it would continue to hunt for the guerrilla commander, who escaped from Basilan provincial jail in 2009. Col. Dickson Hermoso, head of the military office monitoring the peace talks, said the 11,000-strong Moro front would not be targeted itself, only rebels “who provide sanctuary or coddle these lawless elements.” Moro front vice chairman Ghazali Jaafar welcomed the international investigation into the Oct. 18 clash. “That means it will be an impartial investigation. That’s what we have been calling for all the while,” he told The Associated Press. Marvic Leonen described Thursday’s meeting as “a candid exchange where both sides cleared the air about pressing issues.” “We agreed to move forward on the substantive agenda and meet again very soon,” he said, without elaborating."

'via Blog this'