“If the aim is the prevention of armed violence, then it doesn’t matter what weaponry or how many soldiers you have. What matters is how many capable young people are available and motivated to make this happen – youth and women with a sense of fearlessness and independence”
Dr Scilla Elworthy, peacebuilder, author and three-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee
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Southasia Peace Action Network turns two, calls for a SAARC summit
Noted journalists, peace activists and community leaders from across Southasia and the diaspora participated in Sapan’s second anniversary event, upholding the spirit of the Sapan Founding Charter that calls for soft borders and ease of trade and travel in the region, allowing people to meet and “learn to respect and love each other and work… Read more
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South Asians unite to celebrate love beyond borders and boundaries of religion, caste and nationality
“In the process of suppressing individual happiness over centuries, we have encouraged agents of hate, discrimination, and violence,” comments journalist Aekta Kapoor, moderating an online discussion promoting equality and harmony. Read more
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A Plethora of Interfaith, Intercultural Events this Month in India
Does the plethora of interfaith and intercultural events in February indicate a resurging respect for India’s pluralistic culture? Read more
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“Let People Meet” – Activists call for a visa-free South Asia ahead of International Day of Peace
With International Day of Peace celebrated globally on September 21st, peace activists from across South Asia re-ignited their call to ease visa curbs in the neighbourhood. Read more
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“Growing up, growing together”: Young South Asian activists speak up for peace and human rights in the region
Youth activists from South Asia came together to commemorate Human Rights Day and the founding of SAARC at a webinar held by South Asia Peace Action Network. Read more
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“For decades, we have undermined feminine intelligence, and the feminine understanding or relationship to our bodies” – Karen Lee Downes
Karen Lee Downes, co-founder of FemmeQ, on respecting, including, and embodying feminine intelligence to restore wholeness to our human psyche and integrity to our social, economic, ecological and political systems. Read more
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Arming girls and women in South Asia with internet tools and infrastructure
Four digital literacy evangelists share their challenges and success stories on arming girls and young women in South Asia with internet tools and online skills. Read more
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Investors assert that cross-border peace needed to boost trade and socio-economic growth in South Asia
Speaking at eShe’s South Asia Union Summit Led by Women, entrepreneurs and investors from India and Pakistan brought up the need for political peace, cross-border trade and knowledge exchanges among South Asian nations. Read more
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The Burden of Tradition: Gender Equality and Social Justice in South Asia
Feminist scholars came together at South Asia Union Summit Led by Women to discuss the burden of tradition, and the long road to gender equality and social justice in South Asia. Read more
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“South Asian women’s networks should have been the first respondents during the conflict in Afghanistan” – Policy analyst Dr Radha Kumar
Speaking at the South Asia Union Summit Led by Women, scholar, author and policy analyst Dr Radha Kumar urged women’s groups in South Asia to unite for peace. Read more
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Actor-activists Nandita Das, Vani Tripathi Tikoo and Saloni Chopra bat for a gender-equal world
Speaking at the South Asia Union Summit Led by Women, Nandita Das, Vani Tripathi Tikoo and Saloni Chopra focused on finding solutions to issues impacting women in South Asia. Read more
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“Afghanistan is going back to an era where women are silenced again” – Afghan diaspora speak out
Speaking at South Asia Union Summit Led by Women, Afghan-origin journalist Najiba Laima Kasraee and policy researcher Mariam Safi voiced concerns about the future of Afghan women under the Taliban. Read more
South Asia Union 