Grants to Partners

Allocations as of April 2009. Approved by the Staff Program Coordinating Group, Justice, Global, and Ecumenical Relations Unit, The United Church of Canada. See Criteria for United for Peace Fund Allocations for more information.

60 Years after the Nakba Conference	$30,000 (2008)
As Israel begins its celebration of 60 years since independence in 1948, the Palestinian community will commemorate 60 years since the Nakba—the "catastrophe." The Nakba has cast its shadow over the struggles of Palestinian citizens of the state of Israel and those in the occupied territories. During this important year, United Church partner Sabeel is holding a conference that will bring together Palestinian Christians and international visitors who may not have heard this story. They will examine the impact of 1948 on the quest for justice and peace in the Holy Land, to begin to move toward a future of justice and reconciliation. Ninety percent of presenters at this conference will be Palestinians, with several of the remaining presenters being Israelis who are interested in cooperating in the cause of truth and justice with the Palestinian community. This gathering will include trips to destroyed villages with local community members. It will have a closing worship where many elements of the Palestinian Christian community will be able to commemorate the events of 1948 and ask God’s help in leading the community toward the future.
The Angolan Council of Christian Churches, Angola	$3,700 (2009)
The Angolan Council of Christian Churches is organizing a peace seminar for 30 church leaders, accompanied by two days of training in conflict resolution. It is designed to help bring about social changes both at the church and community level that will facilitate peaceful coexistence. The training will include techniques of conflict mediation, the establishment of a long-term Peace Core Group, and connection with the women's and youth workers of member churches. Angola is a country recovering from a 20-year civil war: learn more by watching the United Church's YouTube Promote Peacebuilding in Angola* video or ordering the free United for Peace DVD and study guide.
Antonio Valdivieso Ecumenical Centre (CAV), Managua, Nicaragua	$4,500 (2008)
Antonio Valdivieso Ecumenical Centre (CAV) works to transform unjust systems through support to various parts of Nicaragua's "multiply-wounded society" and works with youth and with children of people who fought in the civil wars of the 1970s and ‘80s. Over time, this trauma work has developed into programs on addictions, sexual abuse, non-violent communication, and more that can be used by others in different contexts. Colleagues in El Salvador and Guatemala who deal with similar challenges now use CAV programs. CAV is now producing a book that will share their experiences and strategies more broadly. (For more information about the CAV's approach see "Living and Surviving in a Multiply Wounded Country," by Martha Cabrera, Women's Concerns, Issue One, 2005.)
Cities at Peace: Dialogue between Arab and Jewish Youth	$25,000 (2008)
This project, coordinated by partner organization Department for Services to Palestinian Refugees: International Christian Committee in Israel (ICCI-DSPR) will focus on bringing together youth from Nazareth and Nazareth Ilit. Nazareth is considered the cultural and the political centre of the Arab population of Israel. Nazareth Ilit was established by Israelis on lands that were confiscated from the Arab citizens of Nazareth, and relations between the neighbouring cities are tense. The mixed group of Arab and Jewish young people will build relationships with each other through sharing their personal stories and creating a theatre show that will emphasize the role of working together in building peace. Their parents will also be part of the process and they will work together on steps beyond the program for ongoing peace and friendship.
Council of Churches in Zambia	$40,000 (2008)
This project seeks to increase the capacity of church and interfaith networks to deal with gender-based violence and promote peace between men and women and among people of different faiths. In a culture dominated by male patriarchy, gender-based violence results in battering, sexual abuse, emotional and psychological abuse, and property-grabbing, as well as fuelling the HIV and AIDS pandemic. Empowering women and men of different faiths with the capacity to transform unequal relationships will promote peace. This project will use training programs and weekly radio discussion, and will produce 1,000 copies of a theological resource on gender-based violence and HIV and AIDS. Training includes equipping 30 women interfaith leaders with skills in identifying, reporting, and handling cases of gender-based violence in their communities as well as providing peacebuilding skills equipping 30 theologians with the capacity to conduct lobbying and advocacy on gender based violence and HIV and AIDS promoting advocacy and sensitivity to gender-based violence and peace building in five provinces equipping 20 women theologians in writing and gender research skills
The Jerusalem Link (Bat Shalom and The Jerusalem Center for Women)	$40,000 (2008) $36,000 (2009)
Jerusalem Link, a Palestinian and Israeli women’s joint venture for peace, believes that it is not possible to talk abstractly about conflict resolution and peace: it is unavoidable and required to tackle the most crucial issues, and to ground this painful process in the experience and perceptions of each side. This program will mobilize concerned Israelis and Palestinians and draw the attention of the domestic and international community to the urgency of addressing the future of Jerusalem, and explore alternative options for a real, gender-balanced, and just resolution to the conflict. It will work on establishing conditions where the political and human rights of all residents are recognized, and Palestinians and Israelis, Muslims, Jews, and Christians, may live in peace in this city that has a cultural, religious, economic, political, and symbolic importance for all its residents. This program will include training in lobbying and advocacy, a campaign on human rights violations in East Jerusalem, education, analysis, and planning workshops, and educational tours and public statements. The planning, production, implementation, and follow-up of this program will be conducted on a cooperative basis.
Methodist Church of Colombia	$7,500 (2007)
Two local congregations of the Methodist Church of Colombia that were particularly hard hit during five years of occupation by paramilitary death squads are holding a five-day national gathering December 13-17, 2007. The event will include workshops for women and youth, gatherings for pastors, and time for reflection and planning for the future. Rincón del Mar and Brisas del Mar experienced the horror of forced disappearances, intimidation from the military, extrajudicial executions, and daily terror. They are in the Caribbean coast department of Sucre and were featured in recent Spirit Connection documentaries. Between 2000 and 2005, more than 3,000 people disappeared in Sucre, including nearly all of the young men and women of the communities. A recently excavated mass grave lies on the edge of Brisas del Mar. “Our idea is that all of us have an impact in those beautiful communities, providing different kinds of support: psychological, pastoral and medical attention, together with recreation,” writes Bishop Juan Alberto Cardona. Read more about investigations into the Sucre disappearances and Jim Hodgson's reflection on violence and hope in Colombia.
Tatamagouche Centre Peace and Friendship Gathering 2008	$7,500 (2008)
The annual Peace and Friendship Gathering is a four-day event to deepen understanding and relationships between First Nations and non-First Nations Maritimers, and promote peace, justice, and mutual relationship. It is led by a cross-cultural leadership team (Mi’kmaw, Maliseet, Passamaquoddy, and Canadian) and attended by a cross-cultural group of participants. Over the past five years the Peace and Friendship Gathering has brought together 30–80 people, in a very positive way, with hopeful ramifications in our communities and churches as a result. Using ceremony, talking circles, teachings, drumming, dancing, shared meals, and open space, leaders and participants will return home transformed by renewed hope for peace and reconciliation. They will have developed skills in relationship-building and deep listening and be encouraged to support and make connections cross-culturally within their own church or community at home.
World Association for Christian Communication (WACC)	$5,000 (2008)
The World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) held its fourth international communication conference in Cape Town, South Africa, October 6–10, 2008. Over 300 delegates from around the world explored the theme “Communication Is Peace: Building Viable Communities,” focusing on the role of communicators in preventing conflict and advancing democracy. Accompanying resources were a kit of key learnings and questions arising from the conference with print text, graphs, photos, and audio clips in English, French, and Spanish, and a dedicated website including an online study guide. An educational DVD on peace communication is being produced in 2009 in partnership with The United Church of Canada and the Anglican Church of Canada. The focus is on what people at the local level can do and are doing, so local communities can increase skills and knowledge to communicate for peace at home, in the community and among “identity” groups. It will also be usable for training for effective communication in conflict situations worldwide.
World Student Christian Federation Asia Pacific	$10,000 (2008)
In the context of the UN International Decade for the Culture of Peace and in response to the growing impact of globalization, the World Student Christian Federation Asia Pacific has chosen redefining the culture of peace as its theme for its week-long gathering taking place August 25–31, 2008, in Seoul. Youth and students across Asia Pacific will discuss peace issues and strategize collective actions, spend time with families and communities struggling to establish cultures of peace in South Korea, and share stories of conflict and peacebuilding from their own countries.

Approved Pending Availability of Funds

Community Leaders Seminars in the Democratic Republic of Congo	$60,000 (2009)
The Church of Christ in Congo's Department of Women and Family will run seminars on Civic Education, Peace, Reconciliation and Peaceful Co-existence in 13 locations in the province of North Kivu. Up to 800 community leaders from political, cultural, and civil society organizations will participate. This is to assist the brutalized, traumatized population of North Kivu province, to breathe new life into peace, co-existence, and true reconciliation among the different ethnic groups there, and to work toward long-term reconstruction.
National Youth Peace Conference in Angola	$70,000 (2009)
The Evangelical Congregational Church of Angola (IECA) is planning a national youth Peace Conference, United We Grow, for 200 young people from across the country. Five days of presentations, sharing, and team-building will develop strategies to facilitate personal healing and reconciliation between groups still affected by the 20-year civil war. In addition to personal growth, this will be a step toward creating a national youth agenda within the IECA, which will allow youth to participate in the rebuilding of their country as engaged citizens. Learn more the situation in Angola by watching the United Church's YouTube Support Peacebuilding in Angola* video or ordering the free United for Peace DVD and study guide.