NUMBER 1, 2010 ... and peace on earth

A new year and a new decade have begun, and many of us are filled with new intentions and inspirations, hopes and expectations. A look at the situation in the world is, however, not altogether encouraging. Protracted wars with no end in sight, natural or manmade disasters shattering people’s already poor lives, the climate threat casting its dark shadow over the earth, and uncertain economic prospects add up to a rather gloomy picture – if one does not care to look for the gleams of light in the darkness. The ability of not giving up in spite of “everything” is probably humankind’s greatest resource and the strongest incentive of hope.

This issue of New Routes contains a number of very readable articles that focus on ongoing, seemingly unsolvable conflicts, but also on people who do not give up, who gather the strength to go on contending for peace, non- violence and human dignity.

Five years after the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Sudan, the outcome of the upcoming referendum about the future of the country is very uncertain. Emiko Noma and Jennifer Freeman present a woman peacemaker, Zeinab Blandia, who, in her work among women, infuse hope in many people’s lives. The Gothenburg Process, where churches and faith based organisations express their concern about the increasing trade in arms, is entering its second decade. In this issue of New Routes you find an excerpt from a recently published book about this challenge, written by Peter Brune. In their article, Margret Johannsen and Laura Ryseck depict how UNRWA
has been working untiringly for 60 years among Palestinian refugees, in spite of criticism and limited resources, while waiting for an ostensibly distant political solution.

One of the most complicated, prolonged and devastating conflicts in the world is the one in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic Congo. An excerpt from a research report about the situation in southern South Kivu gives an idea of the many actors and issues at stake. Don’t miss the article about the xenophobia that has arisen in the aftermath
of apartheid in South Africa, or the one providing a “lesson in change” in order to achieve peace.

A new year with new intentions – don’t forget to renew your subscription to New Routes!

Grassroots peacebuilding in the Nuba Mountains Emiko Noma and Jennifer Freeman

Southern South Kivu: A conflict-ridden corner of a vast country

Counting the cost of our descent: Xenophobia in South Africa today Athalie Crawford

Unrwa 60 years: Humanitarian crisis management in an unsolved conflict Laura Ryseck and Margret Johannsen


Change in human systems: From where to what? Michele Cesari


The Gothenburg process: Arms that kill – also when not in use Peter Brune

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Kristina Lundqvist

Publicerad: 2010-07-09

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