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Special Report |
LAST UPDATE August 30, 2007
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| July 23, 2007 |
Building peace networks in the Netherlands: Peace Boat welcomes NGOs onboard |
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| A Dutch cow sculpture directs NGO representatives down the gangway to the Peace Boat |
Since its beginning in 1983, Peace Boat has been a place where people can come together to meet with others and build relationships for peace and progress. That’s why on July 23, 2007 the ship welcomed aboard a range of local peace activists, development agencies and environmental groups for a night of friendly exchange while docked in Amsterdam. More than 20 European-based non-governmental organizations (NGOs) came to the evening reception, each looking to strengthen the links with those working for peace. |
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Peace Boat participants and members of NGO All Included came together to protest against migrant detention boats in The Netherlands. Photo: Yaquob Bou Aynaya |
The benefits of uniting in this way were highlighted earlier in the day, when Peace Boat and its Dutch counter partner All Included joined forces to advocate for the human rights of migrants in the Netherlands. By protesting together against the degrading detention of undocumented people, the two groups raised public awareness and gained national media coverage. The wider gathering on the ship was a chance to explore similar connections and to see where and how organizations can work side by side to make positive change. |
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| Paul van Tongeren, GPPAC Secretary General, recognised the importance of network building |
More than 70 people packed the onboard reception, which was jointly held by Peace Boat and the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC). GPPAC connects the practical work and experience of grassroots peace movements in 15 regions of the world through an international alliance. Welcoming friends and colleagues, GPPAC Secretary General, Paul van Tongeren, acknowledged the importance of the gathering, saying “we really appreciate being part of this network in building peace. I think meeting people-to-people is still the core way of preventing conflict and Peace Boat is unique in doing that around the world”. |
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| Delegates discussed how they could join forces and support common causes such as Article 9 |
Using one of several educational spaces on the ship, International Director Emilie McGlone introduced the activities of Peace Boat and the opportunities for working together. Visitors learnt how they could get involved in the campaign to protect Article 9 of the Japanese constitution. Article 9 prohibits the use of military force in resolving international conflicts and so is a vital tool in maintaining peace. By inviting more peace workers to join the campaign, Peace Boat believes Article 9 can be highlighted across the globe and used to call on other governments to adopt similar measures. |
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| Mr. Hirata inspired delegates to work together to build peace |
As part of the program of exchange, the activists and NGO workers also got to see Peace Boat’s work in action through one of its guest educators, Michimisa Hirata. Such experts are invited on the ship to give participants an in-depth understanding of peace issues. A survivor of the Hiroshima atomic bomb, Mr.Hirata astonished many by the level of devastation he had personally witnessed. Several listening were spurred by the personal testimony he gave and his warning of the continued threat to humanity posed by nuclear weapons. Building on the speech, Jannie Kuik from the Dutch NGO IKV Pax Christi, urged everyone present to take action and make sure the tragedy is never repeated. |
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| An enthralling flamenco performance from Mrs.Fiser energised the gathering for a networking session |
Rounding off the talks, Peace Boat’s own dance team, SPACE – Share Peace, Arts, Culture and Energy – performed a traditional Japanese Soran routine. Another of Peace Boat’s guest educators, Nevenka Fiser, then dazzled the audience with a spirited flamenco dance, creating a lively atmosphere for networking and socialising. Many took the chance to swap business cards and make new contacts. “I wanted to find out more about Peace Boat’s work” said Philia Stekehenburg of Women for Peace as she chatted with other delegates, “as well as make new connections with other people working in peace mediation”. Peace Boat was pleased to offer this chance, expand its network of peace builders around the world and prove once again that its floating peace village is open to everyone.
Want to find out how you can become part of a network to build peace? Support Article 9 at: www.article-9.org |
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