How Canadians can support sustainable peace in the Middle East

Kichan Shukur Amin stands in her kitchen garden, supported by CFGB, through local partner, REACH, in Qasim Baghzada, a small village in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. (MCC photo/Kaitlin Heatwole)

We all long to live in peace – without fear of war, violence or injustice. Sadly, 2020 has begun with drastic escalations in the Middle East, including intensifying military action between the U.S. and Iran inside Iraq, continued disputes over control of northwest Syria by regional powers, and violence committed by remnants of ISIS in Iraq and Syria. As people dedicated to peace, we must stand together as one humanity, dedicated to de-escalation, prevention and protection of human rights.

How is Canada involved?

Countries around the world, including Canada, have committed millions of dollars and personnel to a military coalition against ISIS, supposedly in pursuit of a sustainable peace in the region. In light of the escalating tensions and attacks, the future of Canada’s military mission in Iraq and the region, including Canada’s leadership in NATO’s ongoing mission was been brough back into spotlight, both missions are currently put on hold. The Prime Minister and other top officials are clear that Canada hopes to continue in the mission against ISIS, but in light of these growing tensions and complexities, is military intervention really the solution?

The ongoing military mission raises significant concerns. First, it does nothing to address the long-standing grievances underlying the conflict and continued divisions. Moreover, as local organizations and communities point out, foreign military intervention is actually exacerbating conflict and division, rather than contributing to long-lasting peace in Iraq and the region.

Please join us, and our Iraqi partners, in calling for Canada to end its military mission in Iraq and to invest efforts and resources into sustainable development, diplomacy and non-violent peacebuilding initiatives aimed at long-term peace and reconciliation. Send your own letter here.

Celebrating 100 Years of Working for Peace

A mural painted on the wall of the Fray Matias Human Rights Centre (Centro de Derechos Humanos Fray Matias de Cordova) in Tapachula, Mexico. (MCC Photo/Anna Vogt)

It’s our birthday! This is a big year for MCC, as we celebrate 100 years of relief, development and peace. MCC started working with people on the move. The work to support people before, during and after migration through local partners and communities continues to be an integral part of our work around the world. In fact, there are more than 70.8 million forcibly displaced peoples. Canada has an important role to play in addressing the reasons people are forced to leave home in the first place. Conflict, climate crisis and economic factors, including the involvement of some Canadian companies, are all part of the factors that cause people to flee or face dangerous journeys. We can encourage the Canadian government to implement policies that protect all, and allow everyone to choose when to leave home. 

One way to do so is to increase support for grassroots peacebuilding around the world. Over the past 100 years, we have seen what happens when people come together to work on local solutions for conflict. Peacebuilding can prevent, reduce or stop violence, and improve relationships between people and those with authority and power. Local initiatives are essential to creating lasting peace and addressing some of the root causes of forced migration. A part of a celebration of 100 years of work with people on the move, we are inviting you to send a letter to your Member of Parliament, asking Canada to increase financial support for grassroots peacebuilding. As well, visit the MCC website for other opportunities to get involved in the celebration!

MCC Ottawa Update

(Photo credit: Donna Cawil)

The Ottawa Office team was excited to welcome Silke Groeneweg, our new Policy Intern, to the team earlier this month. Silke recently completed studies at the University of Winnipeg, where she studied Political Science and International Development. Moving to Canada from Germany at a young age, she grew up in a small town in rural Manitoba but has called Winnipeg home for the last 4 years. Her experience has included time spent with the Canadian Red Cross and the Government of Canada in the Minister’s Regional Office in Winnipeg.