Good morning, this is Achim Wennmann from the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform and the Graduate Institute. We kicked off Geneva Peace Week yesterday in its new online format.

This year, the event focuses on rebuilding trust after disruption: pathways to reset international cooperation. Join us to find out how to build a lasting peace, and what's new on cross-cutting issues in the peace agenda related to Covid-19, climate change, cyber space, business, and more.

Today, I’ll be looking ahead to what this year’s event has in store. I’ll also be sharing a few stories with you about peacebuilding and, with the US elections in focus today, a timely piece on whether it’s possible to hold elections with integrity during a pandemic. We’ll be hearing about a new digital tracker that allows humanitarians to share experiences dealing with Covid-19 in the field, and take hope from The New Humanitarian’s new series reporting from the front lines of peace, which looks at how atrocity can be prevented and peace sustainably built.

03.11.2020

Today’s reason for hope

Gelgelo Genee, Teremaj Belachew, Ibsa Ware, left to right, are "peace ambassadors" in Kercha, southern Ethiopia. (Tom Gardner/TNH)

Beyond the bang-bang: Reporting from the front lines of peace. The New Humanitarian's latest series is shifting the conversation around conflict from one of violence and carnage to one of how atrocities can be prevented, societies made more resilient, and peace sustainably built. It delves into what works, or might work – from community-driven approaches to international initiatives – in building sustainable peace.

The New Humanitarian (EN)

On my radar

Geneva Peace Week: what happens and why it's important. Geneva Solutions’ guide to navigating Geneva Peace Week 2020: free, online, and open to the public.

Geneva Solutions (EN)

Protecting democracy during Covid-19. How do you hold an election during a pandemic? On Election Day in the United States, Geneva Solutions looks at the challenges Covid-19 poses to an integral democratic process.

Geneva Solutions (EN)

A new tool for humanitarians fighting the pandemic. Geneva Institute of Humanitarian Studies is behind a new platform for workers in the field to share their experiences in crisis-affected countries.

Geneva Solutions (EN)

Here’s what else is happening

57 journalists and media workers were killed across the world last year, with the majority of crimes “not resolved”.
UNESCO (EN)
Pope Francis renews his appeal for peace in the Caucasus.
Vatican News (EN)
More ambitious targets are needed to tackle tuberculosis, according to a new report.
WHO (EN)
Libya’s warring sides meet for face-to-face talks, weeks after rival sides signed a ceasefire agreement.
Al Jazeera (EN)
Millions of people need support as super typhoon Goni batters the Philippines.
OCHA (EN)
UN agencies agree to strengthen collaboration on migration governance.
IOM (EN)
Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia resume controversial Nile mega-dam talks.
Al Jazeera (EN)
Thousands at-risk of hunger and disease in South Sudan in aftermath of clashes and floods.
ICRC (EN)
Myanmar told to stop curtailing democratic rights in run-up to general election.
OHCHR (EN)

Image of the day

Hani Abbas for Geneva Peace Week

Hani Abbas is a Syrian/Palestinian cartoonist commissioned to create cartoons for peace for Geneva Peace Week 2020, proposed by UNESCO. Join the Closing Ceremony on Friday 6 November to see Hani cartooning live and hear him speak about his work.

On Geneva Peace Week's agenda

4 November | Online: GPW Global Town Hall Meeting: A New Vision for Peacemaking. In the face of a changing strategic landscape for peacemaking, this Global Town Hall Meeting asks: what are the peacemaking competences the world needs most right now.

GPW (EN)

5 November | Online: Harnessing the economy for peace: Elements for a new policy agenda. A 'town-hall' style digital event focusing on a prospective policy agenda and partnership arrangements for building peace.

GPW (EN)

6 November | Online: Closing Ceremony of Geneva Peace Week. Held on the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict, the final day of GPW20 will be devoted to innovations and solutions in environmental peacebuilding.

GPW (EN)

For more content from The New Humanitarian, visit thenewhumanitarian.org

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Have a good day!

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