Since most of ECCP's activities currently centre on the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict, we advise you to visit http://www.gppac.net/ for the latest news and activities.

The ECCP, in its capacity as the Global Secretariat of the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC), brought together government and civil society representatives from around the world on 12 and 13 October 2006 in The Hague, the Netherlands, for a Strategy Meeting on strengthening cooperation in the fields of conflict prevention and peacebuilding. The meeting was chaired by Kai Brand-Jacobsen, Director of the PARTIR Romanian Peace Institute. You can download his Communique on the meeting here: GPPAC Communique Strategy Meeting.doc (78 KB).

Edited by Edy Kaufman, Walid Salem, and Juliette Verhoeven
In the midst of continuing violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, there are many who remain committed to moving forward on the road to peace. The Palestinian and Israeli contributors to this book, who recognise the great potential of civil society and NGOs for the peacebuilding process, focus on realistic opportunities for conflict transformation. Drawing from the experiences of the post-Oslo period, the authors seek to learn from the mistakes that have been made and concentrate on possibilities for just solutions that will enable both peoples to live in peace, safety, and prosperity. Click here to read more.
added on 30 October 2006

The International Day of Peace, which is held annually on the 21st of September, is dedicated to promoting the idea that the world can say 'no' to war and armed violence for at least 24 hours, to reflect on the devastation that war brings, and to encourage the resolution of conflict through peaceful means. For more information about the International Day of Peace, please click here. In the near future, we hope to achieve a global ceasefire, a day in which the silence of guns rings loud and clear around the world. Before this dream can become a reality, it is necessary to promote the existence of the International Day of Peace.

The coalition People Building Peace Netherlands organised a large public event that was coordinated by the ECCP for the International Day of Peace on the beach at Scheveningen in the Hague. The programme was very diverse and featured debates, theatrical and musical performances, art exhibitions, and video images related to conflict and peace projected onto large screens. The climax of the day occurred when 250 people formed a huge peace sign that mirrored the actions of their fellow peace campaigners in Congo, whom they were connected to through a satellite link.
added on 1 October 2006

Translations of the book People Building Peace II: Successful stories of civil society in French and Spanish are now available on cd-rom from the European Centre for Conflict Prevention. Email: info@conflict-prevention.net

On 21 September, 2006, we re-launched the People Building Peace website (www.peoplebuildingpeace.org) which reaches out to the larger peacebuilding community and other interested outsiders by generating momentum and support for conflict prevention and peacebuilding activities and initiatives.

On the website we have a section where you can find a collection of inspiring stories about how civil society has made a difference in conflict areas around the world. This collection includes stories from the two publications: People Building Peace I and II, as well as new stories not previously published by the ECCP. People Building Peace – The Stories plays a key role in our international awareness raising campaign. We're always looking to promote cases in which conflict prevention and other peacebuilding activities have worked, so if you or your organisation has a contribution to make, please read more!

On Monday 4 September 2006, the ECCP celebrated the opening of its new office in The Hague. The office has moved to The Hague from Utrecht upon the invitation of the city, which continues to distinguish itself as the international city of peace and justice. (read more...)

For information on news and events around the world, please visit www.alertnet.org.