Feeling like the world’s about to end? Paralysed by ‘doom scrolling’ on social media? Too scared to book an overseas trip?
Beyond the litany of daily horror – from the carnage in Gaza to the ongoing crisis in Myanmar – Act for Peace is doing just that, building a safer world, for all of us. And we’ve taken aim: resolving the global displacement crisis – taking action to create the foundations for peace and stability.
Founded on the belief we can act together for peace, we see a world of opportunity to create positive change, and in 2024 we’ve been really busy.
While the world’s attention is elsewhere, closer to home, Myanmar’s democratic forces and armed opposition groups have liberated nearly half of their country from Myanmar’s despotic military junta, which has led a 70-year reign of terror.
Behind the scenes, we’ve been lobbying hard to ensure the government provide more aid for the two million displaced in liberated areas, and support for good governance as these new groups build more democratic government structures.
In India and Sri Lanka, we’re backing a world first: our local partner, a refugee-run organisation who we’ve helped develop since 1984, has been so successful, it’s now running its own refugee return and reintegration program, enabling thousands of refugees to return home in safety and with dignity.
With our support to step up their advocacy, we are helping to develop a policy for the newly elected government to help reintegrate returning refugees after decades of being stuck in refugee camps in India. Now that’s restorative justice!
TRANSFORMING THE SYSTEM
At home, we’ve successfully lobbied the Australian government to step up its efforts to resolve the global displacement crisis, with Australia prioritising displacement in both its new International Development Policy and its new Humanitarian Policy.
This year, we’re calling for Australia to appoint an Ambassador for Global Displacement to help resolve the protracted refugee crisis and prevent further displacement.
We’ve also gathered together a global coalition to push for recognition of refugees’ rights to participate in decisions and projects that affect their lives. Working with refugee leaders, we’re supporting the development of a refugee Declaration on the Right to Participate, and then asking the international community to recognise that right in international law.
And we’re not alone. We’re joined by thousands of supporters partnering with us to create a Safer World and a global network of like-minded organisations as part of the ACT Alliance.
This year, we’ll continue to help churches stay and deliver vital aid in Gaza, support Palestinian and Syrian refugees in Jordan break out of poverty and become self-sufficient, help our Pacific neighbours prepare for and respond to more frequent and intense climate-driven disasters.
