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News Archive |
LAST UPDATE
March 12, 2008
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| February 4, 2008 |
Calling for Peace in Kenya |
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Peace Boat is deeply concerned about the unfolding crisis that has resulted in an escalation of violence and loss of life in Kenya after the elections of December 27, 2007. To join the international call for dialogue and peace, Peace Boat is launching a campaign together with counterpartners in Kenya to express solidarity and support for Kenyan citizens working to restore peace and sustainable livelihoods to the country and its people. Visiting Kenya several times each year, Peace Boat has a particularly close relationship with its friends and partners in Kenya, and supports their efforts to restore their country to a “sovereign and remarkable country of outstanding people enjoying a high quality of life.”
Peace Boat is also in full support of the statement of solidarity issued by the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC, of which Peace Boat serves as Northeast Asia regional secretariat) in the aftermath of the election, the full text of which can be read here: www.gppac.org or downloaded here (pdf).
Peace Boat supports the work of its partner in the GPPAC Network, Nairobi Peace Initiative-Africa, in its efforts to restore peace, reconciliation and national healing to the country. NPI-Africa's vital activities during this post-electoral crisis include assessment of the worst affected areas in the country, engagement of popular artists in spreading the message of peace, working with women from various sectors in peacebuilding, and high-level engagement through the coalition of Concerned Citizens for Peace. Further information about NPI's work through the coalition of Concerned Citizens for Peace can be seen on the web site www.peaceinkenya.net.
As well as this fundraising, Peace Boat's United People’s Alliance (UPA): Support Goods for Sustainability project team has also organised for urgently required medical supplies to be delivered to hospitals in Kenya, to make a step towards helping the medical treatment of those affected by the current crisis.
Launching the “Give Dialogue a Chance” campaign, an event linked to the World Social Forum's 2008 Global Day of Action was held on January 24, 2008. Peace Boat staff and volunteers came together to express their messages of solidarity to the people of Kenya, as can be seen by the photographs on this page. This event is the first step in an effort to raise awareness within Japan regarding the crises currently faced by Kenyans. It will be followed with concerted fundraising, both in Japan and onboard the Peace Boat. For example, a fundraiser event will be held with the cooperation of Tokyo-based nonprofit Parties 4 Peace on February 29 (Friday), with London band Thabani joining in the call for peace in Kenya, with all funds supporting the Nairobi Peace Initiative – Africa. More information about Parties 4 Peace can be seen here: www.parties4peace.com
In this way, Peace Boat will continue to support efforts to bring communities together to engage in dialogue and create a peace infrastructure on the ground in Kenya.
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