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People choosing peace: Mica Hong, an aspiring peace filmmaker in the Philippines

Mica Hong and Peace News Staff
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People choosing peace: Mica Hong, an aspiring peace filmmaker in the Philippines

Tell us a little about yourself and your journey as a filmmaker

I am Mica Hong, a student from the Philippines studying Broadcast Communications. Despite still being a student filmmaker, I have directed and created documentaries that highlight the struggles of Filipinos. Filmmaking is my passion, and through my work, I aspire to inspire others by shedding light on important issues and telling compelling stories.

What draws you to peace journalism and film, and how has your experience been different from traditional film?

I’ve always imagined myself producing films, but peace journalism piqued my interest when I came across an opportunity to create a video for Peace News Network to gain more experience in the field, since it was an extension of my current background as a broadcasting student who’s been in multiple productions of news and documentary programs. Aside from the opportunity to hone my skills, another factor in my interest in peace journalism is my involvement as a community volunteer with my Rotaract Club, since promoting peace is one of the core areas of focus of Rotaract. Peace Journalism allows me to use film as a medium to highlight stories of peacebuilding and conflict resolution directly, offering a stark contrast to traditional film which focuses on drama and sensationalism. Through peace journalism, I am able to shed light on narrative and the resilience of communities straightforwardly, contributing to a more informed and compassionate world. 

What has been your favorite video to work on for Peace News? 

My favorite video to work on for Peace News so far is the one about peacebuilding during the Israel-Hamas war. Given the controversy and intensity surrounding this topic, it was both challenging and inspiring to see the initiatives aimed at fostering peace amidst the conflict. The efforts of individuals and organizations striving to promote dialogue and understanding gave me a sense of hope. However, I still wish that these efforts would be amplified to have a more significant impact, ultimately contributing to end the hostilities. This project reaffirmed my belief in the power of peace journalism to highlight constructive solutions and the importance of amplifying voices that advocate for non-violence and reconciliation.

What are your plans/goals/dreams for the future? 

My plans for the future involve continuing my journey in filmmaking, which may also include peace journalism or promoting peace in general. I aim to create impactful documentaries and films that highlight stories of resilience, hope, and reconciliation, giving a voice to marginalized communities and promoting non-violent solutions to conflicts. My dream is to inspire others through my work, fostering a greater understanding and appreciation for peacebuilding efforts worldwide.

Social Media: Nigeria’s Digital Front in Peacebuilding

Mohammed Ibrahim
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Social Media: Nigeria’s Digital Front in Peacebuilding

In a country where traditional media often falls short in reaching remote communities and marginalized groups, Nigeria’s local NGOs and social media influencers are turning to digital platforms to advance peacebuilding initiatives. With over 36.75 million Nigerians active on social media as of January 2024, according to Datareportal, these digital tools have become crucial in addressing conflict and fostering unity.

A New Era of Peacebuilding

The rise of social media has revolutionized how organizations approach conflict resolution and peace advocacy. Platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Zoom are now integral to disseminating information, rallying communities, and sharing peacebuilding stories.

For instance, the Centre for Conflict Resolution (CCR) in Cape Town, South Africa recently launched the #PeaceStories project. This initiative uses social media to spotlight individual experiences with conflict and peacebuilding efforts.

Similarly, the Plateau Peace Practitioners Network (PPPN) in Jos, Nigeria, has harnessed digital tools to promote dialogue. In 2023, they organized an X Space chat titled #PeaceTalks, which gathered community leaders, activists, and residents to discuss peacebuilding strategies in Plateau State. This state, located in North-Central Nigeria, has endured numerous religious and tribal conflicts, leading to significant loss of life and property over the past decade.

The PPPN, a collective of local peace networks, adopted social media to reach residents across the state, promoting reconciliation and dialogue. David James, the Public Relations Officer of PPPN, highlighted the advantages of social media in their peace efforts. 

“We chose social media because it’s easier, faster, and has a wide reach. Platforms like Zoom and YouTube allow us to share and archive discussions, making it easier for people to engage and revisit content,” he explained. 

James emphasized the positive impact of these digital platforms, saying, “Using social media helps us educate people about peacebuilding, countering the crisis that often originates online.”

Strategic Social Media Use for Peace

The Institute for Crisis Resolution, Peacebuilding, and Conciliation (ICRPC) in Abuja, has also embraced social media to spread its peacebuilding message. According to Mr. Clement N. Kuliyak, the North West Regional Coordinator, ICRPC utilizes various platforms to engage different audiences. Facebook serves as a tool for broad outreach with multimedia content, while LinkedIn is used for professional networking and academic discussions. Instagram focuses on visual storytelling to engage younger audiences, and WhatsApp organizes real-time discussions among professionals. Twitter (X) is employed for quick updates and live coverage of events.

Kuliyak noted the effectiveness of these platforms. “Each platform plays a unique role in our strategy. Our Facebook posts, for example, reach grassroots communities with engaging content. LinkedIn helps us connect with professionals and academics, while Instagram’s visual storytelling engages a younger audience,” he said.

He elaborated on their approach. “We use storytelling to share success stories and personal narratives, educational campaigns to teach conflict resolution, and interactive content to engage our audience in real-time discussions.”

Despite these successes, Kuliyak acknowledged the challenges of the digital divide and misinformation, which require ongoing efforts and adaptation.

The Speed of Social Media

ICRPC’s use of social media has led to tangible outcomes. Kuliyak believes that their social media work has led to a reduction in violence and increased cooperation between peacebuilding organizations and conflicting groups. Educational content has empowered local peacebuilders, fostering grassroots initiatives and strengthening community dialogue.

Mathew Tegha, Coordinator of the Plateau Peace Media Network, echoed similar sentiments about the role of social media. “Social media plays a crucial role in modern communication, offering opportunities for rapid information dissemination,” he said. 

He added, “We utilize these platforms to reach the youth and promote peacebuilding activities. Bloggers and influencers in our network amplify our messages, helping us engage with a broader audience.”

Tegha emphasized the importance of these platforms for rapid communication and public sensitization. “Social media provides a faster means to spread information than traditional media. It’s crucial for engaging with the younger demographic and promoting peace initiatives effectively.”

Challenges and Future Directions

While social media has proven beneficial, it is not without challenges. The digital divide remains a significant issue, with many remote areas lacking reliable internet access. As mentioned, while over 37 million Nigerians use social media, Nigeria’s total population is over 200 million, suggesting that significant segments of the population do not have access to it. Additionally, the spread of misinformation can undermine peace efforts, necessitating vigilant content moderation and collaboration with fact-checking organizations.

Both ICRPC and PPPN actively work to address these issues by moderating discussions to prevent hate speech and educating their audiences about misinformation. Their strategies include collaborating with credible sources and running campaigns to promote digital literacy and critical thinking.

Therefore, social media has emerged as a powerful tool for peacebuilding in Nigeria. By leveraging these platforms, local NGOs and influencers are not only enhancing their outreach but also fostering a more inclusive and informed dialogue about conflict resolution. 

As digital engagement continues to evolve, these organizations remain committed to using social media to build bridges and promote lasting peace in their communities.

Factors responsible for using social media peacebuilding.

Benjamin Maigari, a peace activist from Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, identified some factors responsible for the shift to social media for peace-building promotion.

He said reaching their main target, which is the youth, is crucial for peace-building, and that irrespective of the community, whether urban or rural, every eight out of 10 youths have social media accounts. Benjamin said they (youths) are either on Facebook, TikTok, or Instagram, where they engage in various activities. He stressed that  reaching this target audience is important because anything related to peace involves youths who can either build or destroy.

He cited , example, that the #EndBadGovernance planned protest in Nigeria, which was promoted by the youth in the country, started on social media. Thus, social media is a tool that can be used to achieve a wider reach at a lower economic cost compared to conventional media methods.

“If you want to bring people together, you will need resources, and those resources are scarce, so you have to be creative and innovative by creating ways of reaching your target audience. This is why we resolved to use social media,” he explained.

On the effectiveness of social media in peace-building, he said, “It is effective, but its effectiveness is determined by the message and the audience. Everything has its advantages and disadvantages.”

He further elaborated, “The disadvantage here is the feedback because you hardly get feedback when you give out such information. You may see many likes on the message posted, but you hardly get much feedback from those communities and youths. But it gives you a wider reach to networks and groups where you cannot go on your own. So it is very effective.”

This Week In Peace #44: August 2

Tara Abhasakun
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This Week In Peace #44: August 2

This week, Sudan’s army chief says no to peace talks after surviving a drone attack. Ukraine’s Zelensky says Russia must attend the next peace summit. ASEAN foreign ministers reiterate support for Myanmar’s Five-Point Consensus peace plan.

Sudan’s army chief says no to peace talks following drone strike

Sudan’s army chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has rejected participation in upcoming peace talks in Switzerland with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This decision follows a drone strike on July 31 that targeted a military graduation ceremony at the Gibeit base, killing at least five people. Al-Burhan, who survived the attack, declared that the military will not negotiate, retreat, or surrender, emphasizing its resilience despite the drone strike.

The RSF, which has been battling the army since April 2023, denied involvement in the attack. RSF legal adviser Mohamed al-Mukhtar attributed the strike to internal Islamist conflicts. Al-Burhan’s refusal to join the talks in Switzerland, scheduled for August 14 and co-hosted by the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, follows the RSF’s willingness to participate. The conflict, which erupted from a power struggle between al-Burhan and RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo, has caused massive displacement and a severe humanitarian crisis.

Previous peace efforts have failed, and both sides have committed war crimes. The RSF’s ongoing offensives and the dire humanitarian situation underscore the urgent need for effective negotiations.

Ukraine’s Zelensky calls on Russia to attend next peace summit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Russia to attend the second peace summit scheduled for November to address the ongoing war. In a recent interview with French media, Zelensky highlighted that most countries believe that Russia must attend the talks in order to end the war. The first peace summit, held in June in Switzerland, excluded Russia, which was criticized by Moscow and shunned by China.

Zelensky’s peace plan involves restoring Ukraine’s territorial integrity and addressing key issues like prisoner exchanges and economic guarantees. The Kremlin has dismissed Ukraine’s plan, calling it an ultimatum. Russian President Vladimir Putin has conditioned negotiations on Ukraine’s withdrawal from territories annexed by Moscow.

Zelensky has faced challenges, including limited weaponry and criticized delays in arms supplies from allies. He also expressed concerns about potential shifts in U.S. support due to the uncertain outcome of the presidential election.

ASEAN Foreign Ministers Reiterate Support for Myanmar Peace Plan

At the 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Vientiane, Laos, ASEAN foreign ministers condemned the ongoing violence against civilians in Myanmar and reiterated their commitment to a peace plan known as the Five-Point Consensus. Despite worsening conflict following Myanmar’s 2021 military coup, ASEAN urged all parties to cease hostilities and engage in dialogue. 

Although the plan calls for an end to violence and the facilitation of discussions among conflicting parties, its effectiveness has been questioned due to the severe escalation of the conflict. Over 3 million people have been displaced as the military clashes with ethnic armed groups and anti-junta forces.

Indonesia’s representative, I Gede Ngurah Swajaya, highlighted that ASEAN unity remains strong. Discussions on Myanmar’s promised but unheld elections were not addressed. To manage the crisis, ASEAN has limited Myanmar’s representation at high-level meetings and is pushing for increased international humanitarian aid, which has seen a low fundraising response so far. Last week, Indonesian foreign minister Retno Marsudi called on the junta to honor the Five-Point Consensus, which was made months after the coup seized power in 2021.

How can what schools teach help peacebuilding after civil conflict?

Jeremy Cunningham
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How can what schools teach help peacebuilding after civil conflict?

Civil conflict is impeding progress towards the world’s sustainable development goals. It is commonly held that more education will help peacebuilding after civil conflict, but more does not necessarily mean better. As a former secondary headteacher with an interest in history, citizenship, and human rights, I devised a framework for establishing and evaluating a high-quality post-conflict school curriculum. ‘Curriculum’ means the student’s complete experience of school. This involves not only all the planned programmes of study, but also the culture, which includes rituals, relationships, and the discipline system.

It is important to address competing versions of history that are often the seedbeds of new violence. This is termed Truth-seeking. Reconciliation and social cohesion is how people come to terms with the past and work together to thrive in future.   Active citizenship means knowing the systems of democracy and how to use them. People who feel left out and powerless are more likely to join extremist ideologies. Applying these three elements to the educational concepts of ‘knowledge, skills, and values’ produces a simple framework one can use to assess schools’ contribution to peacebuilding. Any school curriculum may display strengths and weaknesses in various categories.

School curriculum for peacebuilding: conceptual framework

Knowledge & UnderstandingSkillsValues
Truth- seeking Recent HistoryNarrative Critical ThinkingReadiness to consider different interpretations and viewpoints
Reconciliation & Social CohesionReligious, ethnic, linguistic groups and identities
Contemporary issues		Leadership
Co-operation & teamwork
Problem-solving		Equal dignity, Respect, Sympathy, Tolerance, Trust, Forgiveness
Active CitizenshipHuman rights
Local, national, & international political/legal systems		Deliberative discussion
Debate
Creative Communication		Procedural fairness
Democracy

The civil war between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) ended in 2009, with total defeat of the LTTE and many thousands of civilian casualties. Since then, the country has been engaged in peace-building. Success depends greatly on trust-building between three distinct groups: the majority Sinhala-speaking Buddhists; the Tamil-speaking Hindus; and the Muslims who speak both Sinhala and Tamil.

I spent three months in six state secondary schools serving different groups in all corners of the country. The aim was to use the framework to judge the extent to which what was being taught was contributing to peace-building. I observed lessons and everyday life at the schools, interviewed staff and students, and studied documents.

Truth-Seeking

The history taught in schools ends in 1978, five years before the war started in 1983. The civil war and contemporary events are not covered, though some teachers said they would answer questions if asked. History, as in most countries, is taught as a series of facts with little room for critical thinking or interpretation. Although victims of war want their story to be told, this is not taking place in school. Thus young people rely on the accounts given by their families and communities, which are likely to be incomplete and biased.

Reconciliation and Social Cohesion

In Sri Lankan schools, there is a strong focus on leadership and co-operation skills. Values of sympathy and forgiveness are clearly evident.

School link programmes between Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim communities are generating a lot of enthusiasm.

However, religion is taught entirely from the perspective of whichever group the school is affiliated with, with nothing about the essential beliefs and values of other religions. Children do not read books or see films about the daily life of other groups. Young people are largely ignorant of each others’ lives. 

Active Citizenship

The Sri Lankan civics curriculum is thorough up to age 14. 

Children learn about Human Rights and the Sri Lankan system of democratic government. There is an ambitious School Parliament programme.  Heads and teachers value human rights.  There is evidence of some basic democratic processes, for example in the election of prefects. Young people are learning competitive debating and communication skills, but they have no experience of discussion aimed at solving problems.

Summary

In the Sri Lankan schools studied,  truth-seeking is weak, with no teaching about the historical roots of the conflict or contemporary issues. There are efforts to build leadership skills and impart democratic values, but the critical thinking and discussion skills necessary for social cohesion and active citizenship are largely absent. 

While a civil conflict is raging, as in Sudan, Yemen, Myanmar, what schools teach will seem far on the horizon. But conflicts do end, and then what is taught in schools becomes a vital issue. Where strong religious or political identities have led to the conflict, the knowledge of international law and human rights is important. Developing reconciliation values and democratic co-operation skills is achievable. However, it seems that recent history is unlikely to be studied until after a thorough and successful transitional justice process in society at large.

A Jew and a Palestinian Walk Into a Podcast

Ciara Shalome and Adam Karram
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A Jew and a Palestinian Walk Into a Podcast

Israel and Palestine can feel like quite the unsolvable conundrum. Do you begin with October 7th? 1948? Or 3,000 years ago? For Ciara Shalome and Adam Karramm it all began in 2024, on Instagram. 

In the aftermath of the barbaric attacks and kidnappings of Israeli civilians by Hamas, and the subsequent brutal bombardment by the Israeli military on Palestinian civilians in Gaza, Ciara and Adam found themselves isolated in their hopes for peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Ciara is a Mizrahi-Jewish citizen of the UK with family in Israel, and Adam is a half Palestinian, half Lebanese citizen of the United States. Both felt surrounded by a growing slurry of dehumanization and misinformation. 

As the popularity of peace movements and the hope for coexistence waned considerably, and the pressure to pick a narrative and stick to it became more apparent, an unlikely partnership began to develop behind the scenes. 

Ciara is a social media manager and founder of the Instagram page, The Mizrahi Story (@TheMizrahiStory). The page seeks to uplift the stories of the Mizrahi Jews who once lived in the Middle East and North Africa. Ciara found herself hopeless and debilitated after October 7th. Like most Jews worldwide, she was personally affected by the events that unfolded at the Nova Festival and numerous Kibbutzes in Southern Israel. Half of the world’s Jewish population lives in Israel and, as Ciara often says, almost every Jewish person knows or loves someone who lives there. 

Adam, living in the diaspora, wretched by the continued suffering of Palestinians and Israelis, felt increasingly desperate to connect with voices for peace within a sea of dehumanization. He, having been a follower of The Mizrahi Story, reached out to Ciara and commented on one of her posts, which was unrelated to the conflict. After some back and forth, both realized that although they fall on opposite sides of the fence, and to many people should be “enemies,” they both shared the same perspective and hopes for a peaceful and more equal future for Israelis and Palestinians. 

Their conversations were engrossing. They found themselves talking, debating, and sharing their deepest fears and hopes for hours on end, attempting, in a somewhat futile manner, to solve one of the world’s greatest issues. What started out as a sounding-board of ideas and a cathartic way to soothe the wounds of the past nine months quickly became a tight friendship. Although Ciara and Adam have never met in-person, they have been able to quickly develop a strong relationship based around respect, trust, and shared moral values. With each passing conversation, both began to feel disheartened and hopeless, wondering what the point of having these conversations was if they could not be shared with others. 

Instead of giving up, they channeled their hopelessness into creating the Humanity in the Holy Land Podcast. The podcast enables both Ciara and Adam to discuss nuanced topics within the Israeli and Palestinian discourse. Such topics include common tropes, historical narratives, and shared prospects for peace. Additionally, they host guests from across Israel and Palestine with multi-faceted life experiences. They also host guests who have a connection to Israel and Palestine and have done work within the realm of the conflict, but aren’t necessarily directly impacted by it. 

One of Humanity in the Holy Land’s most recent guests was Mohamad Jamous, a Palestinian peace activist living in the West Bank city of Ramallah. On the podcast, Mohamad said,  “In the end, no one can get out from here. This land is for all of us.” This quote by Mohamad is emblematic of how Ciara and Adam feel about the Holy Land – that it is truly a place for all peoples, neither of whom should ever be displaced or forced to leave, and that humanisation and dialogue is the key to creating a better reality for all. 

Since they started the podcast mere weeks ago, Ciara and Adam’s platform has grown steadily. The vast majority of feedback has been positive, with listeners feeling they can relate to the balanced and empathetic content being released. Often, we are made to feel as though picking a side is the “right” thing to do and that picking wisely is of the utmost importance, especially if you don’t want to end up “on the wrong side of history.” Ciara and Adam’s goal is to insist that seeking peace, equality, and non-violent justice is also just as much of a valid side to pick. 

Naturally, the podcast has also been met with criticism and those who question the hosts’ loyalty and comprehension of “the facts.” Despite this, they both make it their mission to stay true to themselves, and to grant everybody the space and the grace to reach their own conclusions by seeking balanced perspectives and dialogue. 

The Humanity in the Holy Land podcast is not intended to change the mindset of its listeners or to impose a belief system that may not resonate. Its sole intent is to broaden the conversation surrounding Israel and Palestine and, at the very least, to show the world that no matter your background, if your shared goal is to seek a future of humanisation and friendship, it is more than achievable, regardless of the current climate. It is high time that these invisible and also physical iron-clad walls we have built both in the Holy Land and around our own hearts are torn down once and for all. 

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