PRAGMORA: Peace Correspondent

DEADLINE IS THIS FRIDAY (July27)

Arms Trade Treaty Negotiations

More than a decade in the making...
final UN negotiations for a global Arms Trade Treaty end on Friday (July 27).

Let the Government of Canada know that you support a comprehensive Arms Trade Treaty that will reduce the massive illegal cross-border trade in arms that fuels wars and conflicts around the world.

TAKE ACTION! click here

Background info: click here

Documentary videoclip - Devil's Bargain: A journey into the small arms trade

TATARSTAN

In mid-July, coordinated attacks on leading Muslim clerics in Tatarstan are believed to be the work of Islamic extremists. One person was gunned down and another wounded by a car bomb.

It is believed that Islamic extremists are responsible the assassination attempts, as both clerics had spoken out against Islamic radicalism. If the attacks are indeed tied to Islamic extremists, then they will be the first of this nature in Tatarstan, a small province of Russia in which just over half of the population is Muslim. IN THE NEWS

DR CONGO

An uncomfortable constellation of events is developing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Since the November 2011 presidental elections, small rebel militias have begun to join forces with a unified agenda of ridding the Congo of its ethnic Tutsi and Hutu citizens ("Rwandophones"). At the same time, a new Congolese Tutsi rebel group, the M23, has emerged and proven its ability to to take villages at will-- with substantial backing from neighbouring Rwanda. IN THE NEWS

What is Pragmora?
Pragmora is a new international organization that develops and advocates pragmatic non-violent measures to help prevent and resolved armed conflicts globally. We bridge the gap between policy experts and grassroots peace activists. Pragmora is both a policy think tank and a grassroots advocacy group. www.pragmora.org

Pragmora is excited to introduce our new Discussion Guide series -- with links to short compelling videoclips. MORE

One of our favorites is Skateistan. A short videoclip about boys and girls in war-ravaged Kabul, Afghanistan, who learn to skateboard as a hobby.

Or re-visit Neighbours, the classic and powerful animation by Norman McLaren (National Film Board of Canada).

Lots more to come...

Book a speaker

Start a Pragmora Peace Action Team

Volunteer for the walk-a-thon !

Meet Salim Binbrek -- Pragmora's newest Board member

"My experience in International Development taught me that the best way to prevent and resolve conflicts is to be pragmatic, innovative and proactive.

Pragmora embodies these principles as it makes steady progress in a world full of conflicts.

From my first days as a volunteer I was convinced of the great potential of this organization and it has compelled me to volunteer my time and effort for the past year. Pragmora's DRC campaign and its success in securing EU election monitors is clear evidence that we can make a difference."

Salim holds a Master's degree in International Development from the University of Amsterdam and has also attended university in Yemen, the UK and Canada; he speaks English, Arabic and Portuguese.

Salim has extensive experience in international security research and policy analysis. In the UK, he worked at the Transnational Crisis Project and at the International Council on Security and Development, as well as the BBC World Service Trust.

Salim is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys camping, cycling, and photography.


JULY 2012

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