PHL: Awards may validate efforts on Peace Works, but with or without awards, we will carry on to continue because it is what makes us happy

For all their efforts and contributions, Dr. Tom and Yolanda Stern have been awarded the Gusi Peace Prize for Social Services & International Humanitarianism. "Receiving the Gusi Peace Prize has been a very pleasant experience for us," relates Dr. Yolanda, "because my husband and I have been working so hard for so many years in the conflict areas particularly in Mindanao where peace is so elusive."

"We are really honored and particularly happy about receiving the award because it is an indigenous Philippine project, we just love the country and receiving this honor is a sort of validation for all our efforts," added Dr. Tom. "I am delighted by the Gusi Peace Prize because it is a very positive thing. It exudes a lot of positive energy, and projects a very good image for the Philippines at a time when it is currently being subject to some negative publicity."

Asked if they were not discouraged by all the negative things being said about the country, Dr. Tom replied, "I don't even listen to negative. I know much of the (negative) stuff is really exaggerated and we are not discouraged by the news. I believe your culture has so much to offer to the world.""

'via Blog this'Dr. Thomas and Yolanda Stern: Crusaders of peace: "

Myanmar: Government Launched a New Round of Peace Talks with Ethnic Insurgent Leaders

"The talks began in recent weeks and included meetings with ethnic rebel leaders over the past weekend in an undisclosed location along the Thai-Myanmar border, according to ethnic leaders and others familiar with the meetings. The government's goal is to convince the insurgent groups, which have long lobbied for more political rights in Myanmar, to fully recognize the country's new government and possibly lay down their arms, these people said. In return, the government is offering more economic development and other potential incentives, they said."

'via Blog this'Myanmar Tackles Ethnic Conflicts - WSJ.com:

President Obama signed the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act

Obama Signs Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act - ABC News: "The act, which passed earlier this month in Congress, is designed to protect Peace Corps whistleblowers and improve the treatment of victims of violence and sexual assault. The law is named for 24-year-old Kate Puzey of Georgia, who was murdered in Benin in 2009 after telling superiors she believed a fellow Peace Corps employee was molesting female students. In an investigation that aired on "20/20," ABC News told the story of Kate's murder and examined what critics say has been a "blame-the-victim" culture within the Peace Corps when volunteers are assaulted or attempt to report problems. "It's such a wonderful thing. We're really, really happy this is happening," Kate's mother, Lois Puzey told ABC News of the signing today. "It really has restored my faith in humankind and the fact that government can work.""

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It is Time to Heal - After So Much Pain: PEACE!

"A Native American tradition is sparking hope in Chicago's Back of the Yards neighborhood. The area is a community facing gangs, guns and violence, but with the help of a Catholic priest, peace is the message this week. "We want to walk for peace and justice," one person said. Dozens gather to join in the efforts. "So often we hear that Back of the Yards is violent. Tonight it's a place of peace," another said Friday night. The peace is considered a Native American way by those gathered. There were many drums but one beat. "The drum represents the beat of the earth, of Mother Earth, Tonantzin," said drum instructor Josie Dykas. "We're going to pray for Tonantzin because the healing has to come from the inside to come out." Marchers hope it is time to heal - after so much pain. Since August, five young people have been killed in the neighborhood. Fr. Bruce Wellems of Holy Cross/ Immaculate Heart of Mary officiated three of the funerals. "We are not going to lay down and die," he said. "We're going to be a people of hope. They're showing me how to do that.""

'via Blog this'Back of the Yards residents drum for peace | abc7chicago.com:

Update: Chicago: Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced the "12th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates" on April 23-25, 2012 to be held in Chicago

"All former Nobel Peace Laureates will be invited to attend. It will be co-chaired by former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev and Walter Veltroni, the former mayor of Rome. Emanuel will serve as an honorary co-chair.

This event "has been held in Paris, it's been held in Berlin, it's been held in Rome," Emanuel said. "And they picked, in my view the most American city in America, Chicago." Chicago was chosen "due to its rich heritage and international profile," organizers said Thursday. President Barack Obama is among the Nobel Peace Prize winners who hail from the Windy City.

The Nobel meeting will come a month before Chicago is in the international spotlight for the simultaneous G-8/NATO summits, which also are expected to attract throngs of protesters."

'via Blog this'Nobel Peace Prize laureates to hold summit here - chicagotribune.com:

Philippines: Unfazed by Asean Foreign Ministers to refer its proposed creation of Zone of Peace, Freedom, Friendship, and Cooperation

"While on the other hand, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton yesterday said the US will help boost the external defense capabilities of the Philippines but will not take a position in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) dispute. Clinton, in a joint press conference with Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario after her meeting with President Aquino in Malacañang, said the territorial dispute should be resolved peacefully. She added US does not take the position on any territorial claim because any nation with a claim has a right to assert it. But they do not have a right to pursue it through intimidation or coercion," she said. She further noted the claimant countries to the West Philippine Sea should follow the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and other international law. Clinton said the US welcomes China’s rise to power but it wants to make sure that there is a balanced growth in the region and that no country should dominate."

'via Blog this'Clinton to Pinoys: We’re in your corner | MALAYA Business Insight News Online:

Iraq: Kurdish Leaders Mediating between Turkey & Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) Separatists to Bring their Conflict to End

Iraq's President Jalal Talabani and Iraqi Kurdistan regional president Massud Barzani "are leading mediation efforts between the Turkish government and the PKK, to end the battles in the border area between Iran, Turkey and Kurdistan," said a spokesman for Talabani's Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. "The Turkish government expressed its desire to end the fighting during Massud Barzani's last visit to Turkey," said spokesman Azad Jundiany. Barzani criticised Turkish military operations against the PKK during an early-November visit to Turkey, saying a political solution was needed. "Honestly, I disapprove of all these operations ... I don't think that one can achieve the result with the military option", Barzani told Turkey's Hurriyet newspaper.
"The fighting should happen in parliament," he told the Anatolia news agency."

'via Blog this'Iraqi Kurd leaders head Turkey-PKK mediation - Yahoo! News: "