Pad-Up Creations LTD’s Post

A beautiful article by Dr Azza Karam, reminding me of the power of being a #woman in a world at war, where 90%+ of the leaders making decisions to create war are #men. Women are needed more than ever to be included in decision and peacemaking processes. There is hope for peace, for a world living with planetary limits, a world of justice and equality. "Women’s organisations tend to be among the most vocal and numerous, in their rejection of any and all forms of war and violence. The women who uphold this simple, and profoundly life changing and life affirming stances, of not choosing war, are often seasoned veterans of serving their communities and their nations. Many do not only speak from a place of aspiration, but from where they are rooted in taking collective actions for the common good.Many women human rights defenders, and veterans of peacebuilding efforts in their communities and nations, tend to put into effect, the most pragmatic rationale of all: that my safety and welfare depends on yours. That you are part of me as I am of you. That in your annihilation, is mine own. That our collective resilience, is necessary, for this very precious planet, on which we are but (seriously disrespectful) guests, graciously hosted. I believe in collective resilience, that I am a part of each person in my community and they are part of me. If one suffers, so do we all. I hope to always work for the betterment of my community, local and global.  https://lnkd.in/dAMvj3CV

✊🏾 Staying true to our core value, “defenders first, always,” the visual theme of UAF A&P’s Strategic Plan 2024-2029 is the portrayal of an alternate vision of the world that women, trans, and non-binary human rights defenders are trying to create. 🦆 It is inspired by mythical shapeshifters and animals whose bodies and collective movements adapt and defend in creative and resourceful ways in their resilience against (climate) change. 🤓 Have you read it yet? 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gmM89XEr

As we forge ahead into 2024, it's crucial for professionals and organizations alike to understand the shifting dynamics in feminist peacekeeping. Outdated practices are making way for innovative approaches centered on inclusivity, local empowerment, and women's leadership in peace processes. 👏

Exciting News Alert! 🌟 Join me and my friends from the Military Children's Six Foundation Adrienne Schaffer this Monday for a thought-provoking discussion on "Media from a Sustainability Perspective." Growing up as a Navy brat, I experienced firsthand the challenges of having a parent deployed for long periods. I often struggled to find the guidance and support I needed during those times. In today's world, media wields significant influence in shaping perceptions and fostering change, especially among the youth. Professionals must dedicate their time and share their experiences through mentorship. In our session, we'll delve into how media can serve as a tool for promoting sustainability. We'll touch on topics such as the importance of free speech, the role of local journalism, and the necessity of fact-checking. Only by providing guidance and establishing clear boundaries can we ensure that media technology contributes more positively than negatively to society. I'm eager to share my enthusiasm for positively impacting future generations. Let's come together and explore how we can harness the power of media for a sustainable future! SustainableScoop#SustainabilityMedia #YouthEmpowerment #MentorshipMatters #LocalJournalism #FactChecking #PositiveImpact #FutureGenerations #ChildrensMilitarySixFoundation #NavyBrat #GuidanceAndGuardrails #MediaLiteracy #SocialResponsibility

Standing strong together on World Humanitarian Day. A day to honour compassion, unity, and the incredible power of helping one another, shaping a better world for all. . . . #WorldHumanitarianDay #humanitarianday #humanitarian #Humanitarian #WHD2023 #RASPL #RASPLIndustries

🤔 Did you know that according to studies, agreements fostered by women who actively participate in peace processes are not only more sustainable but also help to create a more durable peace? In the realm of peacebuilding and negotiations, the indispensable role of women has gained well-deserved recognition. Women bring distinct viewpoints, priorities, and skills to the table that go beyond conventional power dynamics. Their participation broadens the conversation to include crucial social and humanitarian facets. The road is not without difficulties, though. Their contributions can be undermined by stereotypes and expectations, which lessens their significant influence on conflict politics. It is crucial to dispel these misconception and acknowledge the depths of women's insights and findings. Read this insightful report by our Women's Rights Team to learn more about this topic! #womensrights #war #peacekeeping #GHRD

The United States Air Force has long recognized the significance of diversity, viewing it as a composite of individual characteristics, experiences, and abilities that go beyond the obvious. But it's not just about recognizing diversity; it's about fostering an inclusive environment. As stated by the Air Force, "Diversity is our greatest strength, but we must shift the culture to be more inclusive of the differences that make us diverse." Last week I got the opportunity to attend the 2nd annual Department of the Air Force - Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility. The discussions ranged from Data-Driven D&I using the Workforce Analytics Dashboard to Neurodiveristy and Redefining Readiness to Strategies for Leading Difficult Conversations to Mission-Driven D&I to increase lethality (my favorite). Inclusion is the action that draws the best from every one of our members, providing an advantage for our nation as one, cohesive, ready, and successful team. The Department of Defense echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that diversity, equity, and inclusion are necessities in the U.S. military. They believe that a diverse, equitable, and inclusive force is not only more lethal, agile, and resilient but also better equipped to manage the challenges of the modern world. Diversity and inclusion are more than just buzzwords; they are warfighting imperatives. The Air Force understands the need to capitalize on all available talent by creating a culture where everyone feels valued and included. As we move forward, let's continue to champion these values, ensuring that our Air Force remains strong, united, and ready to face any challenge. Thank you to the DAF DEIA team, and the rest of the support staff for coordinating and executing a phenomenal event. #DAFDEIA #USAF #DiversityandInclusion

This #WomensHistoryMonth and #JCSweek, #PeaceBegins with HER. We are looking for the most talented #women officers for deployment to United Nations #peace operations as corrections government-provided personnel (GPP), as we are striving to achieve #gender parity among our uniformed personnel. We are assessing candidates on their skills in the areas of #planning and #organizing, #communication, #teamwork and #mentoring and #advising - all key skill sets required for a successful #deployment as GPP. #Justice and #Corrections Service has increased the percentage of women deployed as justice and corrections GPP from 33% in July 2020 to 44.8% in December 2023, thereby exceeding the targets of the Uniformed Gender Parity Strategy. To learn about how to become a #GPP and #join the #UnitedNations, click here: https://bit.ly/33blBzH United Nations Peacekeeping UN Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA)

🎯 Focal points in #internationaldevelopment. I'm pretty sure they are what I in the Navy would call a collateral duty. The 🌿 climate and sustainability focal point 🌿 might be someone with a primary responsibility for technical implementation, but whose focal point responsibilities involve cross-checking the activities against the climate risk/environmental management and monitoring plans and ensuring all planning takes those plans and principles into account. They might be the primary point of contact for the project when interfacing with the headquarters' global climate group, or the coordinator drawing up the scope of work and turning over to and from short-term technical assistance on this topic. #TransitioningVeterans looking to leverage this phrasing might highlight their collateral duty like I do here with my squadron-level SAVI/SAPR role: "While my primary job was to fly and my secondary job to run admin/personnel functions, I was also the 🎯 focal point 🎯 for sexual assault responses for a group of 160 staff. I had the resource of Navy-wide and local specialists, but I provided annual and ongoing training to the staff on safeguarding and reporting options, ensured continuity of services when on assignment away from home offices, oversaw and was myself part of a small group of victim advocates, and kept the ⭐ senior leadership team ⭐ apprised of all updates and ongoing cases. Informally, I also became a resource supporting gender equality and advocating for non-gender-normed language throughout our work." (Note that I refer to the command triad as the senior leadership team - while obviously we protected victims by not sharing any but the most necessary details with the Commanding Officer, updates to the Navy-wide or installation/base programs went to the top two officers and senior enlisted member of the command for discussion. International development would refer to this group as key personnel for a project, or as the senior leadership team.) #vetsindevelopment #veterans #interviewprep #resumetips

Human rights form the cornerstone of a just and equitable society, serving as the bedrock upon which fundamental freedoms and dignities are built. Ensuring the protection of human rights is essential for fostering peace, stability, and prosperity in any community. These rights guarantee individuals the opportunity to live with dignity, free from discrimination, oppression, and injustice. They empower people to express themselves, pursue their aspirations, and contribute to society without fear of reprisal. Human rights serve as a moral compass, guiding governments, organizations, and individuals to uphold the inherent worth and equality of every person, regardless of race, religion, gender, or background. Embracing and safeguarding human rights is not just a legal obligation but a moral imperative, promoting social harmony and collective well-being for generations to come. United Nations Association of the United States of America UNA-USA Mid-Hudson Valley Chapter #HumanRights #UDHR