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IRAS COTIS stands for the diversity of religious expression, and values gender equality and supports measures for the equality and empowerment of women - in religious communities and in society as a whole. The "burqa ban" deals with a problem that does not exist as such, just like the minaret ban, to cultivate Islamophobic and anti-Muslim sentiments and can contribute to radicalisation. IRAS COTIS is committed to social cohesion in an open and plural society with all its facets and therefore firmly rejects a ban on veils.

read the statement (de)

As part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Fondation Hirondelle supported the Tribal News Network (TNN) media group in northwest Pakistan during the second half of 2020. This support enabled TNN to organize training for its network of journalists and correspondents and to produce and broadcast reliable programs and information on its network of 6 partner radio stations and its website.

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Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the summer school will take place in a virtual format from the 5th to the 16th of July 2021. We invite applications from young people aged between 20 and 26 years old who are interested in learning more about the United Nations and Quaker work at the international level. The summer school continues to offer a unique opportunity for young people to engage with issues of peace, economic justice, human rights, and climate change at the multilateral level. We hope to bring together a diverse group of participants in a unique online space to learn, develop new skills and build community. Applications close on the 15th of February 2021.

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swisspeace offers different continuing education programs in civilian peacebuilding. They bridge conceptual insights and practical knowledge.

Conflict Sensitivity (virtual course, 6 half-days), March 10 -19, 2021
Learn how to plan and implement a project in a conflict-sensitive way. Apply by January 31, 2021!

Religion & Conflict Transformation (virtual course, 6 half-days), March 22-30, 2021
Gain a better understanding of conflicts with religious dimensions and how they can be transformed. Apply by January 31, 2021!

Unpacking Radicalization, May 6-7, 2021
Critically discuss the concept of radicalization and explore its implications for peacebuilding practice. Apply by February 28, 2021!

Documenting and Archiving from a Dealing with the Past Perspective (virtual course, 6 half-days), 26. Mai-11. Juni 2021
Learn about documenting and archiving from a DwP perspective. Apply by March 31, 2021!

We also offer various postgraduate courses, which you can find on our website.

A high level panel at todays Basel Peace Forum discussed the implications of migration for peacebuilding. How to address migration in order to reduce the risks for conflict and violence, and leverlage its potential for peace? The Toolbox "Migration in Peacebuilding" - a result of a joint learning process facilitated by KOFF - provides inspiration and guidance to this question. It provides practical guidelines, illustrative examples drawn from different case studies, and compilations of useful tools. Check it out!

video teaser | Toolbox "Migration in Peacebuilding" 

On 2 February 2021, GSUN will launch the CH-UNO Club with the first event in the series. The focus will be on Switzerland's Sustainable Development Strategy 2030. What are the challenges and what are the opportunities?

2021/02/02, 5pm - 6.30pm, online

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For HEKS, too, the year 2020 was dominated by the COVID 19 pandemic. Numerous projects at home and abroad either had to be adapted due to the extraordinary social and economic challenges posed by this virus, or at times even suspended altogether. Nevertheless, we were once again able to give hundreds of thousands of people worldwide a perspective for a life in dignity. We have compiled selected stories that particularly moved us last year in a short review of the year.

annual review

"His Holiness greatly appreciates your work to promote justice, peace and reconciliation." This message reaches Mission 21 at the beginning of the year from India, sent by the highest master of Tibetan Buddhism, the 14th Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama encourages Mission 21 to continue spreading their message and to promote peace and development in the world.

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Cuisine Sans Frontières opened their gastronomy school El Fogon in August 2020. Since then, the first 23 students have been learning what it takes to gain a foothold in the gastronomy sector. After three months in Santa Rosa on our own campus, the class is now busy learning in the district capital of Coca at Casa Indigena.

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We will hear about the situation in Nagorny Karabach and discuss options for new art initiatives around this region. Philipp Egger, Delegate for Eastern Europe at the Gebert Rüf Foundation and program director of the Swiss South Caucasus Net who has been in Karabach just before the war began and again after the signing of the ceasefire agreement, will tell us about his experiences. The discussion takes place on 20 January 2021 at 17.15 h Swiss time in English or German, depending on participants. (Photo: Nazik Armenakyan / 4Pus)

Zoom-link (password: 004928)