Today, the United Nations recognizes the International Day of UN Peacekeepers. Yet at Tanenbaum, we also know that that the UN’s peacekeepers aren’t the only individuals working tirelessly to protect peace.
Across communities wrecked by armed conflicts, there are religiously driven community peacebuilders, who risk their lives daily to stop violence and extremism, and to pursue peace. Yet, these courageous individuals—Tanenbaum’s Peacemakers in Action—are too often ignored, even though they have dedicated their lives to peacebuilding.
The reality is that Tanenbaum’s religious Peacemakers know their communities and have firsthand experience collaborating on the ground. They are tireless and frequently at risk. To remain resilient, they need training, community and support from their Tanenbaum Network.
The Peacemakers in Action Network is a pioneering response to extremism and violence. Comprised of 28 religious peacemakers working in 23 conflict areas worldwide, they gather every few years for a Tanenbaum Working Retreat. During the week of community, they learn from each other and plan new ways of collaborating in armed conflicts—since 2011, our Peacemakers have partnered to train more than 1,300 peace activists worldwide.
We invite you to watch the video Hope Sustained: Educating for Peace. You’ll see Peacemakers Rev. Jacky Manuputty (Indonesia) and Deng Giguiento (Philippines) working with fellow Peacemakers Imam Muhammad Ashafa and Pastor James Wuye (both from Nigeria) in the Philippines, and later in Indonesia. Drawing on their decades-long experience in reconciliation work and international advocacy, these Peacemakers facilitated interfaith workshops, collaborated on methodologies in peacebuilding, including with Madrassa leaders, and interreligious dialogue.
Such work matters, as does the Working Retreat where the collaborations are planned. We ask you to join in this work. Through your support, we can give these religious Peacemakers, as well as the next generation of peacebuilders, the supportive opportunities they need to keep bringing peace to conflict-torn communities.
With gratitude to you and to our Peacemakers for never giving up,
Joyce Dubensky
Tanenbaum CEO