On October 18, 2021 alumni from our Peace Practice Alliance offered an inspired session for the virtual gathering for The Parliament of World’s Religions. The theme for this gathering was “Opening our Hearts to the World: Compassion in Action.” Our session highlighted the practice and impact of peace leadership through the stories and experiences of four peace leaders from four different countries who all graduated from the Euphrates Peace Practice Alliance program.
Read MoreContinuing with our 2021 theme Untold Stories, we invite you to meet two incredible peace leaders who have chosen to step out of politics and personal narrative in order to create a new story of healing and resolution.
Lejla Hasandedic-Dapo was three when the war began in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Samira Baručija-Homoras was born in that same war shortly before its end. When the war ended in 1995, the bombs and killing stopped - the hate and division did not. Facing an identity-crisis of sorts, wondering what "side" they were actually on, both women found themselves asking how they could help their families and communities de-otherize and find healing.
Read MoreThrough my peacebuilding work, I have picked up a new term: "Lottery of birth." It means that we do not choose where we are born. Our country, socio-economic status, biological gender, religion, environment, neighbourhood, family beliefs, etc are assigned to us at birth.
This term improved my introspective quality immensely. So whenever I hear of war or destitution or hunger or restrictions for women or a refugee crisis, I lead with a thought: "I might have been born there, in their place. It could have been me. I am not there, but I could have been.
Read MoreAt Euphrates we believe storytelling is a cornerstone of peacebuilding. To know someone at the heart level breaks down barriers, heals divisions, and turns the other into a sister or brother. Euphrates had the privilege of having George Freeman share his story with our community.
George Reginald Freeman is a dedicated sexual health educator, feminist, researcher, and human rights defender for people marginalized and discriminated against based on their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. George is a firm believer in the power of grassroots social movements to create a just, inclusive, and equitable societies.
Read MoreI believe we found both peaceful and wild last Friday - what a sacred and joy-filled community call! Our call brought so much heart, wisdom, and art through the voices of Carmen, Clintel, and our community. For those that were not able to join us, here is a brief summary.
Read MoreEach month we look forward to bringing you updates from this incredible peacebuilding family and inviting you to learn more through inspiring calls, events, and recommendations. Twice a year we ask our community to continue to support this profound work. Our work to equip, connect, and uplift global peacebuilders could not happen without your support.
Read MoreThe month of April is rich in its offerings! From our friends at Golden West College in California, to one of the largest Israeli-Palestinian peace events, to the Untold Stories of our first 2021 Community Call. We hope you'll find time for one or ALL of these wonderful April offerings!
Read MoreWe are excited to announce our new cohort of peace leaders for the 2021 Peace Practice Alliance (PPA)! We have 31 participants joining us from 21 countries around the world from Denmark to Bangladesh, Myanmar to Malawi, and so many more.
Read MoreIn 2020, Newark, New Jersey reached an historic milestone - Newark Police officers did not fire a single shot. After participating in de-escalation training and working closely with community groups like Newark Community Street Team (NCST), real reform is taking place. We are witnessing the impacts of community peace practice in action.
Our 2020 Visionary Aqeela Sherrills has been reimagining public safety strategy as a leader at NCST. This program uses a community-based violence reduction strategy to bring a greater sense of peace to the community. During the 2020 George Floyd protests, the cops remained in the background as Aqeela’s Street Team took to the streets to prevent escalation and violence. “There is a point of entry for the public to play a key role in public safety,” shares Aqeela, and it is time to truly reimagine systems of public safety.
Aqeela and his team passionately believe in the collective work needed to cultivate and sustain peace in our communities. Grounded in peace within and supported by peace in relationships, this community-led transformative work is setting the example for us all on how to reimagine and enact change, and to actualize community peace.
Today we honor the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through celebration, reflection, and service. We uplift his exemplary model of peace leadership, and use it as inspiration to step into our own responsibility to practice the personal, interpersonal, community, and global peace work necessary to nourish, heal, and progress our “World House.”
In this holiday season we are deeply inspired by and grateful for sources of light in our Euphrates community. In the Northern Hemisphere the “Christmas Star” shone brightly on the longest night of the year, and it served as a reminder that when darkness is present the light is more readily seen and appreciated. This is also true of our community of visionaries and peace ambassadors.
Read MoreOn December 11th, we welcomed new friends and old friends into our global Euphrates living room to amplify the voice of our 2020 Visionary of the Year (VOTY) Aqeela Sherrills. The VOTY award is given to peacebuilders who make the impossible possible and work at the deepest levels of peacebuilding. Aqeela's message of finding the gift in the wound and viewing peace as a journey, not as a destination, reminded us that each of us is a peacebuilder.
Read MoreMending divides and practicing positive peace will require sustained effort and resources from all of us. The good news? Our progress has found momentum this year. Help us make a greater impact in 2021 to equip, connect, and uplift global peace leaders.
Read MoreWe would like to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for our community. You all form our Euphrates community, a community of dedicated peacebuilders and soul-inspired leaders who serve and give selflessly and deeply inspire. We are grateful for you and grateful to be in community with you.
While this week in the United States represents a time to express and share gratitude for our blessings, it is rooted in a deeply complex and violent history. At Euphrates, we envision a future where all humanity lives from oneness with each other and the Earth.
Read MoreEach year Euphrates recognizes grassroots changemakers doing extraordinary work, striving to make the idealistic realistic and the impossible possible. Visionaries are those whose fearless and indomitable spirit allows them to transform the hearts, minds, and actions of those around them and reveal solutions where others see despair. Aqeela Sherrills is truly meeting the moment with an indomitable spirit
and a pursuit of inside-out transformation.
This season of life continues to offer unexpected twists and turns. How are you responding? Are you swaying with the twists and turns or are you taking time to root yourself in personal peace practices that provide radical self-care? The work is immense, the care for ourselves must be even greater. In order to build bridges, heal divides, and reimagine systems, we must care for ourselves and each other, and allow ourselves to rest. What do you need right now to find your equanimity?
Read MoreThis month Euphrates Founder Janessa Gans Wilder was featured in a full-length article for OOOM Magazine. This international publication focuses on “stories that inspire - about people who inspire.” We think this is a perfect platform for Janessa’s personal story and inspiring vision.
Read MoreJanessa opened our call honoring Juneteenth, Freedom Day. Then we turned to Paulette Pipe to ground our time together with an opening meditation that called forth stillness amidst noise and distraction. Stephen DeBerry moved our group into a space that explored economic inequality, architectured segregation, and the lessons he learned in a game of Monopoly with his family - we can allow ourselves to rest in the understanding that if we can play nice, we can go further, faster, with fewer tears.
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