News

From June 10 - 11, the feminist summer university will take place at the University of Bern! We are participating together with PeaceWomen Across the Globe and cfd - we are organizing a virtual worldcafé on the topic of Women, Peace and Security.

When: Thursday June 10 / 2:00 pm / Zoom. Come and sign up now!

learn more & sign up

The annual report of IAMANEH Switzerland is freshly printed! Here are a few samples of what we have achieved: 9'414 women and children received protection, care and counseling in women's shelters we supported in the Western Balkans and West Africa. We reached 11,105 people with our awareness-raising work in the fight against female genital mutilation in West Africa. We distributed 9,000 reusable protective masks, 1,800 liters of disinfectant and 1,800kg of soap in West Africa for pandemic response. The annual report is available for download on the IAMANEH Switzerland website.

Download here

Last fall, only a razor-thin majority approved the purchase of new fighter jets - even though the type issue was deliberately left out. Soon it will be clear which fighter jet the Federal Council wants to purchase. If the choice falls on a US fighter jet, we will launch a popular initiative to stop this procurement. We also reserve the right to launch an initiative against any procurement should there be any glaring inconsistencies.

learn more

Last November, Honduras underwent its third Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the UN Human Rights Council. Among the most lauded advances was the creation of the National Protection Mechanism in 2015, but despite some achievements, there is still much to be done five years later.

learn more

The April 2021 circular of artasfoundation is now published. Find out about dance and art education in Armenia, therapeutic work in art lessons, an online course for activists from African countries and many more here. 

The Swiss Peace Council and the Switzerland-UNO Association together with KOFF invite you to this roundtable, where we will take a closer look at the development of Swiss peace policy and gather perspectives, suggestions and demands of the participating organizations around Switzerland's candidacy for the UN Security Council. Everyone who is interested in Switzerland's engagement in the field of peace is cordially invited. We are looking forward to an exciting exchange. The number of places is limited, we ask for registration until 4.5.2021 at natalina.haller@swisspeace.ch. The event is in German with the option to speak French, too.

May 11, 2021, 9.15am-12pm (online)

program

"Racism-club" or "fighting racism"? Why is it so difficult to talk about racism? We invite you to the Table Ronde "Racism. Let's talk." Everyone is invited to join the discussion with professionals and young adults.

May 5, 2021, 4.15pm - 6pm (online)

learn more & register

Many past events show that security forces' responses to violence are often neither effective nor appropriate. In this issue of à propos, KOFF member organizations provide us with insights into cultures of peace and nonviolence. Some focus on social cohesion and inclusion, some advocate for the protection of human rights or the advancement of peace education, and others protect those who advocate.

en | de | fr | take a look at all à propos

The "Korrekturinitiative" wants to prevent Switzerland from exporting war material to civil war countries. The Federal Council rejects the initiative. However, it is submitting an indirect counter-proposal that takes up the concern in principle but allows it to deviate from the export ban under certain circumstances. Such a loophole is unacceptable to the initiators; withdrawing the initiative is thus out of the question.

read blog

Gender-based violence (GBV) is an epidemic sweeping across Latin America and the world. In this three-part webinar, activists from our Latin America network will talk about the intersectionality of race and ethnicity and of gender identity in GBV and about the intersection of femicide and institutional violence. The webinar will take place on 10, 17 and 24 April. The discussions will be interpretated in English.
For up-to-date information visit the Facebook page “PeaceWomen Across the Globe” or register here.