he month of April is marked in the United States as National Poetry Month. Creative arts has been a part of human expression for millenia. While poetry may simply be viewed as a form of creative writing or even entertainment, it can also play an important role in peacebuilding efforts. Poetry has the power to bring people of different cultural, religious or even political backgrounds together, to share stories and experiences that transcend cultural and linguistic barriers. Poetry can also be an opportunity for marginalized voices to be heard and for difficult issues to be addressed in a creative and non-violent manner.

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The Peace Practice Alliance holds space for individuals to deeply connect, learn, and reflect with fellow visionary leaders around the world to further their peace leadership practices. In this program, there are six modules that explore the practice of peace. This year’s cohort has moved through personal and interpersonal practices and are now into the community practice learning space. One of our participants, Salome, shared a deeply moving reflection on how we can collectively embody the practice of peace.

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Conflicts and violence are prevalent in many regions of the world with devastating impacts on women and girls. Women often bear the brunt of the suffering caused by conflict and must be included in peacebuilding efforts to ensure that their voices and needs are heard and addressed. Without the active participation of women, peace agreements and post-conflict reconstruction efforts are less likely to be successful and sustainable.

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Tahil Sharma is the Regional Coordinator for North America at the United Religions Initiative (URI), the world's largest interfaith network of grassroots communities, dedicated to establishing cultures of peace, justice, and healing in the world. Tahil's Hindu and Sikh background inspires his work for education, pluralism, and justice, working in local, regional, and international spaces for over a decade.

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Practicing an interconnected, holistic approach to transforming conflict, Muna Luqman sees possibility, emergence, and generative solutions for communities where others see despair. The ability to see the possibilities and her efforts to achieve them is what makes Muna Luqman our 2022 Visionary of the Year.

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Our October Community Call was a sacred space of reflection and insight. We were all moved by the stories and wisdom offered by our guests Ahmad Karimi, Ahmad Samizada, Ehsan Attiq, Hanifa, Zahra Reza, members of the Afghanistan Youth Empowerment and Peace-Building Organization currently living as refugees in Germany.

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Our September Community Call focused on the transformative role of music in negotiation and conflict resolution. Jonathan Dimmock and Angela Lee gifted us with deeply engaging and soul-inspiring music. We shared an experience together that I won't soon forget!

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Our July Community Call focused on peacebuilding in the Holy Land with Elias D'eis, Executive Director of Holy Land Trust. Euphrates' Founder, Janessa Wilder hosted an inspired conversation that explored Elias' journey as a Palestinian Christian living in the West Bank, a true testament to practicing peace and building community in the midst of extreme division, adversity, and conflict. With the heart of a peacemaker, Elias has an assuring presence and an inspired vision.

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Our June Community Call focused on Transformative Spaces for Healing with Dr. Tecla Namachanja Wanjala. We explored the wisdom of her heart and experience, honing in on how we care for ourselves deeply while caring for the community. We were thrilled to widen the reach of Tecla's voice. The wisdom shared helps us understand that we have everyday opportunities to practice peace together.

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In a recent WhatsApp exchange with Victor Garpulee, a peace leader from Liberia, I was struck by the sacred reciprocity of love and encouragement. In response to my observation of his compassionate leadership, Victor quickly responded “Because of you, we are.” Without hesitation, I replied, “We are because of you!” We are intertwined in our pursuit to be change makers and peace leaders.

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Our May Community Call focused on The Shared Vision of Sustainability and Peacebuilding. We hosted an insightful conversation with Patrick Arnold, Ismail Munyamu, and Caroline Odera. We explored the intersection of environmental issues and peacebuilding and how each of us has a role to play as agents of change.

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James Offuh is a stalwart supporter of the mission of Euphrates. As founder of United For Peace Against Conflict International (UFPACI), Offuh and his team have created safe spaces for alienated people to successfully engage, communicate, and heal through heart-to-heart dialogue with its distinctive quality of listening-to-learn. Offuh’s most recent effort to help realize this vision is the creation of a new space, the Transformative Peace Library, in his community of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

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Our April Community Call focused on Collective Action in Response to War. We hosted a profound and moving conversation with Wes Davison, Rosen Dimov and 4 guest voices from Ukraine. We examined the harsh realities of war, but also gave voice to the powerful outpouring of support, sacred solidarity, and deep human connection. It is clear that there is a great opportunity for the practice of community care to fulfill both the immediate and long term needs of those in Ukraine and those resettling elsewhere.

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The start of this horrific war is a reminder that, in an instant, any of our worlds can change completely. The direct targeting of civilians, those most vulnerable, is a reminder to all of us as agents of peace that peace is indeed fragile. It is a reminder to all of us that building a world of peace requires intentionality, a personal commitment that in every step we take and every relationship we make, we intentionally pursue peace in all things.

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We had such a beautiful start to our 2022 Community Call season, Practicing Peace Together. Our virtual living room was filled with soul and story. It's so important to come together to not only share personal practices, but to care for one another in community spaces. We're so grateful for the gifts offered by the hearts and voices of Whitney McIntyre Miller, Aman Melles, and Wazieh Offuh - thank you!

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As we travel together enjoying this journey of life, bickering about the destination, worrying about its purpose, it can feel incredibly emotional and overwhelming. When external circumstances divert our path or put in obstacles, it can feel uncertain. The last few days have reminded me of the globalisation of fragility and the democratisation of inequality and inequity.

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We bursting with excitement! Today we launched the 2022 Peace Practice Alliance (PPA)! We have 30 peace leaders joining us from 17 countries around the world from Afghanistan to Vietnam, Nigeria to Palestine, and so many more.

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Wisdom and experience are gifts to bathe in. These gifts were offered last week on our October Community Call with Libby Traubman. Listening to Libby share her peace leader's path (alongside her late husband, Len) reminded me that this work is for everyone and it can span a lifetime!

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