Mediators Beyond Borders International

Policing for Peace in Kenya

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NAIROBI, KENYA, July 24, 2017—Recently, Professor Kagwanja, Chief Executive of the Africa Policy Institute, called on the government to invest in training and equipping the police in non-violent methods to de-escalate crises and counter extremism without violating human rights. Based on our experiences in Kenya, Mediators Beyond Borders International (MBBI) offers our whole-hearted support to this recommendation.

The current situation in Kenya, people suffering from inter-ethnic and resource-scarcity-based violence, remains a key challenge for marginalised pastoralist communities. The good news from the counties, is that the government agencies and non-governmental organizations are working with pastoralist communities to help them develop genuine lines of communication among communities and between communities and security forces. This is making a difference. We know from experience these bridges and relationships are essential to restore peace. 

Community Dialoguing and other peace-keeping activities have been undervalued and lack infrastructure support that could create a more impactful and wider programme to save the lives of citizens and security forces. [Read more…]

MBBI-NY’s Expanding Peacebuilding Partnership with the Liberian Diaspora

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Following from last year’s five-day Introduction to Basic Mediation Training, the New York Regional Group of Mediators Beyond Borders International (MBBI-NY) and the City University of New York (CUNY) Dispute Resolution Center at John Jay College held an Introduction to Conflict Resolution Workshop on 10 & 17 June 2017 for members of the Union Of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA). ULAA is a nonprofit umbrella group of Liberians and their organizations in the Americas.  Rev. Philip Blamo, Eastern Regional Vice President of ULAA, initiated the partnership with MBBI in 2016, and it has developed into a skill-development opportunity for new cohorts (this year, for 15 members) of the Liberian community in the United States. [Read more…]

MBBI Statement Submitted to HLPF: Early Parenting and Early Child Care and Education to Break the Inter-Generational Dimension of Poverty

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While focusing on the specific goals is imperative to ensuring implementation, Mediators Beyond Borders International (MBBI) advocates for a comprehensive approach to development, that incorporates the interlinkages between the various Sustainable Development Goals. As the international community considers expanding on the theme “Eradicating poverty and promoting prosperity in a changing world,” it is important for all stakeholders to draw attention to two specific aspects of this agenda: first is to recognize the symbiotic relationship between eradicating poverty and the need for conflict resolution capacity building; and second is to recognize the unique role that women can play in boosting attainment of the specific goals.

First, to eradicate poverty sustainably, it is crucial to pay attention to the vital role that conflict resolution mechanisms play in building socially inclusive communities. This is only possible when all groups are heard and represented through socially inclusive forums, whose impact can be enhanced by effective conflict resolution capacity building. In this journey towards actualizing the Sustainable Development Goals, it is essential that both peace and development are invested in side by side. Conflicting interests and inequities of power and resources must be skilfully navigated in any society in order to move towards sustainably prosperous social and economic systems. Thus, building conflict resolution capacity at all levels, from community to global, plays an important role in addressing all points of the agenda (including Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 3, 5, 9, 14 and 17) in a way which includes multiple voices and points of view. The work by MBBI’s multidisciplinary teams found that jointly designing and implementing projects with local partners increased communities’ abilities to heal from severe conflict, reconcile relationships, eradicate poverty, and sustainably evolve into a stable, resilient, and economically viable state.

[Read more…]

Rotary Global Grant Launched for Laikipia West

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MBBI is happy to formally announce the fundraising launch for Rotary Global Grant GG#1756350 to build Peace in Laikipia West, Kenya. 

The Project is a partnership between Rotary Club of Ngong Hills in Kenya, Berkeley Club in California USA and MBBI as a cooperating organization to assist our local partner “Peace Guardians” in Kenya. Both Clubs are experienced and MBBI has collaborated with Rotary around the world. MBBI has had great successes in the previous Vocational Training Teams and Global Grants in South America, and Southeast Asia. [Read more…]

MBBI’s Kenya Initiative Calls on Kenya’s National and County Governments, Political Parties, Police and Security Forces, and Citizens to Embrace Peaceful Discourse and Reject Violence

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NAIROBI, KENYA, May 22, 2017—As we come closer to the second general election since the 2010 Constitution, we are saddened that many of the people of Kenya are currently living in a state of unrest and, as many areas remain unstable, the challenges of displaced communities are intensifying.

It is with great concern that we hear daily news from the Mediators Beyond Borders’ Peace Guardians in Baringo and Laikipia.  While many conflicts have been avoided over the past few months through the direct intervention of grassroots cross-community activist mediators, far too many instances remain where innocent people and livestock are injured or killed.

Government-led initiatives like the Kenyan Livestock Insurance Programme (KLIP), providing crucial relief through insurance payments to pastoralists, are important steps that will help to alleviate some of the hardships that communities are facing. These steps will lead to wider community stability and general security. [Read more…]