APN sails on Peace
Boat
Peace Boat is a Japan based NGO a non- profit organization
and has official consultative status with the United
Nations. It works through a network of grass-root movements
particularly from the Global South with the aim of creating
better understanding among peoples of different cultures and
civilizations, creating and fostering productive
relationships through sharing ideas, experiences and
culture.
Under the
slogan “Reflect upon past wars to build peace for the
future”, Peace Boat is also a floating peace village,
working to promote peace , human rights, the environment and
sustainable development. Specialists from different
nationalities are invited to share
and contribute to the mission of Peace Boat.
Links between APN and Peace Boat were made at the world
Social Forum of Mumbai India, in 2003. Following further
exchange between the two organization, APN came into closer
co-operation with Peace Boat at the recent voyage which
brought them to Aqaba, Jordan.
APN was invited to join the 45th voyage of Peace Boat, by
sending a representative to join the voyage from the port of
Aqaba , Jordan to Pireus, Greece. APN was invited to
contribute to the program by giving one presentation on the
issue of the olive trees their destruction and uprooting
that is taking place in the Occupied Palestinian
Territories, and a second presentation on the wall, the
demolition of houses; this was supported by the documentary
film of Samir`Abdallah “ Writers of the Borders ”, a
documentary summarizing the visit of eight leading literary
figures from eight different countries, who came to Ramallah
during the siege in 2002. Through their testimonies and
field visits the Peace Boat participants could in turn
witness the oppression and humiliation that the people are
living.
Peace Boat is keenly interested to support the Tree Campaign
that APN has launched and contacts are underway to
concretize this co-operation.
APN is very grateful to Peace Boat for this wonderful
opportunity of sharing and building links to improve the
environment and more importantly the lives of people.
