Page 29 - IB_November2020

From Reaction to Prevention: Civil Society Forging
Partnerships to Prevent Conflict and Build Peace

In July 2005, a thousand peacebuilders gathered at a This includes addressing the prevention of violence, mobilising
GPPAC civil society conference at the UN Headquarters in New assistance to local communities, localising information and
York. They all felt that it was time to finally prioritise the preven- identifying solutions to ensure peace and security in homes and
tion of violent conflict and to build a global peace movement. communities.
Together, we joined hands to launch People Building Peace: A The GPPAC Pacific network is committed to deep-
Global Action Agenda for the Prevention of Violent Conflict. en a collective understanding of peacebuilding and conflict
A 15-member delegation conveyed Pacific priorities prevention by supporting multi-stakeholder initiatives that
during regional consultations. They included Rev. Akuila D continue to contribute to establishing a culture of nonviolence
Yabaki, Noelene Nabulivou and Lillian Thaggard from Fiji, the and prevention that will collectively promote Human Security,
late ‘Akilisi Pohiva and Ofa-ki-Levuka Guttenbeil-Likiliki of Ton- Inclusive Conflict Prevention and Climate action for Ecological
ga, Judith Fagalasuu of SICA Commission, Solomon Islands, Just’Peace.
James Tanis of Bougainville, Bernie Lovegrove of ASPBAE and What is needed is a new multi-actor consultative
Reuben Kavoi of Peace Foundation Melanesia together with framework for regional peace and security that supports civil
Carole Shaw, Dr Graham Hassall and Kieren McGovern and society representatives who can localize and operationalize
Bernard Choulai of UNDP Suva. At the time, Jone Dakuvula Women, Youth and Civil Society Peacebuilding, Prevention and
was the Regional Initiator for the Pacific region and the Citizens Participation frameworks. Women do not just need to be con-
Constitutional Forum secretariat. sulted, but supported to enhance our infrastructures for peace
In 2020 the COVID19 pandemic has brought greater and security at local and national levels.
complexity to the work of Pacific Peacebuilders already dealing
with issues including the climate crisis, progressing conflict pre-
vention and human security, including political security priorities Members of GPPAC Pacific are the Pacific Conference of
for non-independent territories and regions. Churches, Pacific Centre for Peacebuilding, FemLINKpacific,
A key priority for the GPPAC Pacific network is to con- The Nazareth Centre for Rehabilitation, Talitha Project, Vois
tinue to progress an inclusive conflict prevention and human se- Blong Mere Solomons and the Vanuatu Young Women for
curity approach taking a peace, development and humanitarian Change. Since July 2019 Transcend Oceania has been the
nexus approach.A key priority for the GPPAC Pacific network is Regional Secretariat. The Regional Liaison Officer is Adivasu
to support our communities adapt to the changes that are being Levu and Sharon Bhagwan Rolls is the Regional Representa-
felt in their homes and communities as well as communicate tive to the GPPAC International Steering Group.
their recommendations for the response and recovery efforts.