Grassroots peacemaking in Syria and Lebanon
BEIRUT, LEBANON—As instability continues in Syria, the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is calling on Canadians to help fund grassroots peacemaking solutions in the region.
They have launched a $500,000 appeal to help partner organizations with community building initiatives and humanitarian aid, including providing emergency medical assistance, food and relief kits as hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees flood into surrounding countries.
MCC is also dedicating significant resources to helping partners with conflict prevention strategies in Lebanon, including training women peace builders and encouraging dialogue among young people.
"As MCC, our relationships are with community members, community leaders, people of faith active in their communities and schools," says Sarah Adams, MCC representative for Lebanon and Syria. "We try to work with local groups who are part of the local community and clearly understand the context and political dynamics. They are able to identify the real needs that will lead to change at a local level, which is a very important part of bringing peace to a community.
"We put a special focus on making sure young adults and women are active participants in training sessions and community initiatives. This ensures that the knowledge being spread is going beyond the traditional leaders in a community."
Adams says that MCC supports local community-based organizations enabling them to organize their own training and events. The goal is to help people understand how conflict resolution and peace building can work as an integral part of their daily life. Partners then follow up to help participants use and apply the tools they've learned.
"As MCC, we get the opportunity not only to support the grassroots efforts that lead to a larger peace, but also to be a bridge between the Middle East and North America," she adds.
"In the West, we hear so many negative things about the Middle East. The media doesn't present a clear picture of what's happening here. But to live here is to see people living and working together every day, celebrating together, and building their communities together. It is incredibly inspiring to see Lebanese with a vision for peace."
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