Tenacious and Creative: Video of Youth Peacebuilders

You're in for an uplifting treat. This incredible compilation by Lisa Russell of UNFPA shows initiatives by teenaged and twenty-something kids to promote peace in their communities. This inspirational video shows the resilience of determined peace advocates and normal kids in the US, Liberia, Uganda, Colombia, and Lebanon. At young ages, these people stepped up to confront challenges in their communities such as violence, sexual abuse, youth pregnancy, HIV, displacement, loss of family members, under-education, unemployment, and physical destruction of infrastructure.


YOUTH ZONES (Final Film) from Lisa Russell on Vimeo.

"We got a camera. We started doing funny stuff. Just trying to live- to do something. Because we were so depressed. Honestly, inside, we were so depressed. Maybe if we died and the media came here and saw us dead and they can find the camera, and they can see us, that we were civilians, we were peaceful, and we were killed for no reason. I was asking, why do they fight? What for? It's not worth it. You're going to lose your life some day, so try to live it. Go, sing, dance. Bring colors to people. Give love to everyone. Smile- this is life." - Wissam, Lebanon

Peace on Earth Video

This video was sponsored by George Mason University, and supplies just the warmth and diversity you're looking for this holiday season:

George Mason University - "Love, Peace, and Joy" from Lab3 Productions on Vimeo.

Thanks to activist Mark O. for sharing this video.

Remembering Richard Holbrooke

However you remember Richard Holbrooke, you can't deny that he greatly influenced United States foreign policy and diplomatic culture. Holbrooke was an unapologetic negotiator who worked to promote US interests abroad, at times using dialogue and at others, direct military force.


Best known for brokering peace in Bosnia with the Dayton Peace Accords in 1995, Holbrooke was not spared difficult posts during his time with the US State Department. He cut his teeth on the Vietnam War after graduation from Brown University, and also was the US Ambassador to the UN. He served as the youngest US Secretary of State in history, and was known to some as personable, egotistical, indefatigable, brash, and unrelenting. Holbrooke passed away this week while on assignment to Pakistan and Afghanistan, shortly after meeting with Secretary of State Clinton. 


In researching Holbrooke's life, achievements, and trajectory, I was impressed mostly by his dedication to sustainability. Not only was he concerned with creating peace in Pakistan and Afghanistan, but he ensured that along with military response, the US emphasized development initiatives as well. His time in Vietnam clearly affected his perspective of conflict, as he was initiated into the diplomatic field during a intractable war. Neither did he shy away from negotiating with people Americans considered to be undesirable. During the Dayton Accords, Holbrooke routinely engaged Slobodon Milosevic, who many consider to be a war criminal, citing the need to involve all parties in peace agreements.


In the post-Wikileaks era, international diplomacy is indeed on uncertain ground, with many officials and countries blushing crimson while retracing their footsteps and scrambling for cover. However, exposure of unpopular policy brokering is hardly new. Since the Watergate scandal under President Nixon, we have seen a de-mystifying of domestic political office, and as we progressed into investigative reporting and 24 hour news broadcasting, the demigods of public policy became the subject of controversy and constant criticism. Now, the international arena is no exception. In the wake of the veil of private diplomacy being lifted, it would have been valuable to have a seasoned veteran and leader like Holbrooke still at the helm. 

Photograph: Win Mcnamee/Getty

Argue his methods, but Holbrooke was undoubtedly the defiant cowboy of the international community. In the words of Barack Obama, Holbrooke was "a true giant of American foreign policy who has made America stronger, safer, and more respected. He was a truly unique figure who will be remembered for his tireless diplomacy, love of country, and pursuit of peace." 


I'd love your comments. Leave them below. 

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We shall never be able to effect physical disarmament until we have succeeded in effecting moral disarmament.  ~J. Ramsay MacDonald
                                                              ******
The real differences around the world today are not between Jews and Arabs; Protestants and Catholics; Muslims, Croats, and Serbs.  The real differences are between those who embrace peace and those who would destroy it; between those who look to the future and those who cling to the past; between those who open their arms and those who are determined to clench their fists.  ~William J. Clinton, 1997

Peaceable Presents for the Holidays

Happy Holidays, everyone! Not sure what to give this year? Eternally plagued by your family members who insist they don't want or need presents? Have a family member who buys their own presents right before Christmas? Fear not, The Peace Report has some epic holiday gift ideas that not only free you of Shopper's Block, but also actually keep on giving, and in a more productive way than the ugly sweaters you keep re-gifting. For the hard-to-buy-for in your family, consider an alternative gift this year. These gifts are not exactly your traditional fruitcake.

Think about it- how often have you given a llama to someone for Hanukkah? Both Heifer International and World Vision are running programs that allow you to purchase livestock for a family in need. Give a goat, a chicken, ducks, or a cow to a family in a developing country, and help them to supplement their household income. Interested in something more fun and active for a kid in need? You can also give soccer balls to kids who usually play with banana leaves.


If you really want to get your hands dirty and give to a child in need, UNICEF has put together packages of Ready-To-Eat foods, Winter Survival Kits for babies, and Polio Vaccines that will be distributed to administering organizations.


And if you're really just looking for something sparkly and festive that donates to a good cause, check out UNICEF's ornaments and cards. Got a lovely progressive lady you want to buy for? Check out these pieces of jewelry and exotic accessories that are not only beautiful, but they also economically empower the women who craft them.


Happy shopping, and healthy holidays!

Artist Profile: Michael Franti and Spearhead

Franti greeting fans at the Pier 6 Pavilion in Baltimore

A mix of jazz, hip-hop, reggae, folk, and socially conscious lyrics? Yes, please! A good friend took me to a Michael Franti and Spearhead concert, and I have been in love with their music ever since. This team continuously tops their previous albums, with rock ballads such as Yell Fire to positive beats like We Don't Stop, and powerful melodies like Oh My God. 


Their latest record, Sound of Sunshine, which was released in August 2010, is a slight departure from their past work. Known for delivering stinging political criticism and encouraging liberal social values, past records have been marked by calls for diplomacy instead of standard military response. In addition, common past lyrical themes reflected celebration of diversity and promoted racial and religious tolerance and acceptance. With Sound of Sunshine, Michael Franti and Spearhead moved from social dialogue to themes of personal struggle, friendship, and love. Retaining their tradition of sharing positivity through their music, Sound of Sunshine resonates with listeners using a wide array of sound influences by U2, Lenny Kravitz, and Bob Marley.

Singer- songwriter- performer- film producer Michael Franti continuously blurs the lines between activism and art. The lead singer of Michael Franti and Spearhead, Franti has appeared in notable music festivals such as Jazzfest, Bonaroo, and the Rock the Vote party, and has toured with acts like the Wailers and John Mayer. The Spearhead band members include bassist Carl Young, guitarist Dave Shul, drummer Manas Itiene, and keymaster extraordinaire Raliegh Neal. 

When you can't get enough of their music, check out Franti's film, I Know I Am Not Alone. This investigative film features footage from the war in Iraq, and interviews with soldiers and civilians alike in Israel and Palestine. According to Franti, "This film came out of my frustration with watching the nightly news and hearing generals, politicians, and pundits explaining the political and economic cost of the war in the Middle East, without ever mentioning the human cost. I wanted to hear about the war by the people affected by it most: doctors, nurses, poets, artists, soldiers, and my personal favorite, musicians." This compelling film introduces a more human element of conflict, and shows the moderation, joy, and hope that can be present within war zones. 

As active environmentalists, the Spearhead bus runs on biofuel, and the band members avoid use of water bottles. A vegan, Franti prefers to walk barefoot. He has two sons, and often updates the Spearhead Facebook page to reflect positive thinking: "Singing to the koi in the pond outside today. Looks like koi love the sunshine as much as I do!" 

Check them out for some sunshine, food for thought, and great rhythms: http://michaelfranti.com/. Rock on.

Thanks to activist Jeffery C. for contributing to and inspiring this article. 

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