Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (ACAA)’s Post

Conclusion: In conclusion, working at Bethany Christian Services offers a unique opportunity to be part of a compassionate community dedicated to serving others with excellence, integrity, and love. From its impactful mission and values to its commitment to holistic support, diversity, and inclusion, Bethany embodies the essence of meaningful work rooted in faith and compassion. By embracing its rich history and humanitarian endeavors, employees at Bethany play a vital role in shaping a more inclusive, equitable, and compassionate world for all. References: 1. Bethany Christian Services. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://bethany.org/ United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). (2021). Global Trends: Forced Displacement in 2020. 2. World Bank. (2021). Forced Displacement: A Global Development Challenge. 3. Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (BPRM). (2021). Refugee Admissions Program

📈 New Funding Opportunity for Cultural Integration Projects We highlight this initiative supporting displaced Ukrainians. The "CultureHelps / Культура допомагає" program is now accepting applications for projects that facilitate the integration of people forced to flee their homes due to the ongoing conflict in #Ukraine. This grants program is dedicated to cultural organizations working to ease the transition of displaced individuals into new communities within safer regions of Ukraine and Creative Europe countries. The initiative focuses on using culture as a vital tool for #SocialInclusion and #MentalHealth support, incorporating activities such as art therapy, educational projects, and workshops. Key Aspects of the Program: 🎯 Target Group: Displaced families and individuals, especially those experiencing vulnerabilities. 👍 Project Focus: Integration through cultural activities, with a strong emphasis on supporting mental health and fostering community bonds. 💰 Funding: Eligible projects can receive up to €5,000 to implement their initiatives. Cultural organizations that are passionate about making a difference in the lives of displaced Ukrainians are encouraged to apply. For more detailed information and to access the application process, read our article on Solvere website. 👇 #CulturalIntegration #SocialImpact #SupportUkraine #FundingOpportunity #MentalHealthAwareness zusa Mental Health Europe

🤲 Around the world, religious leaders and faith actors play significant roles in providing material and social support, shaping public norms, and influencing interactions among diverse groups. Yet most do not receive training on how their actions might exacerbate sources of tension within their communities, or strengthen local capacities for peace. Michelle Garred, former senior advisor at CDA, describes how, in three case studies conducted by World Vision in the Philippines 🇵🇭, El Salvador 🇸🇻, and Kenya 🇰🇪, faith leaders tended to use Do No Harm as a lens for personal transformation, rather than as an analytical tool, centering their practice around contextual Dividers and Connectors naturally relevant to their contexts. 🧠 Why does this matter? “While often weak on institutional mainstreaming, faith actors do show significant promise in their efforts to transform small organizations by transforming key people inside of them. Undoubtedly, both institutional and individual change are needed – yet most conflict sensitivity efforts focus squarely on one or the other. There would be great value in expanding both research and practitioner resources on how to interweave individual and institutional change together in conflict sensitivity practice.” ❗Read the article from Michelle Garred, PhD and Johonna McCants-Turner, Ph.D. on Do No Harm as a tool for interfaith peacebuilding: https://ow.ly/qzes50PGwOU 🤝 MORE: CDA and World Vision have partnered and collaborated for nearly 30 years on issues spanning the humanitarian-development-peacebuilding nexus. We have been engaged on humanitarian risk and conflict sensitivity, community engagement and accountability, local capacities for peace and Do No Harm, and interfaith peacebuilding around the world. https://ow.ly/q0pz50PGwOT

As we look forward to #WorldHumanitarianDay on Saturday, it is essential to recognize that even in our pursuits of humanitarian ideals, certain narratives and perspectives have historically taken center stage, often overshadowing the experiences and contributions of marginalized communities. See CREED Glossary for more: https://lnkd.in/eCj4NMgU

In my experience working with youth fighters in challenging conditions, I learned that gaining their trust requires patience and understanding. These young people, often intoxicated with local poisons and suffering from hunger, were initially very difficult to approach. It took time to carefully observe and comprehend their infrastructure, values, norms, and social fabric. By investing in this understanding, I was able to engage them in discussions about mutual respect and dignity. Treating them with genuine respect and dignity helped open doors that had previously been closed to humanitarian support. While this approach may not be universal, it tends to be effective in internal conflicts. It is a place-based and space-based experience that we can learn from one another. I believe that this method can significantly enhance #humanitarianaccess and #protectionofcivilians in similar situations. #peace #Humanitarianwork

World Day of Social Justice reminds us each year of the need to build fairer, more equitable societies. For QPASTT, equity means that each survivor of refugee trauma or torture has access to the resources required to recover, including those needed to address the social and environmental determinants of their health and wellbeing. Importantly, equity also means that survivors are able to have control over their own healing journey. #worlddayofsocialjustice

'My top tip is around behaviour. Don't presume challenging behaviour is representative of a certain individual's personality. You need to take time to get to know that person and to check in with them, and always rely on your own emotional intelligence.' A teacher at Nottingham Education Sanctuary Team (NEST) shares a top tip on supporting young people from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds in an educational setting. Take a look at the #UKTraumaCouncil's free evidence based resources to help children and young people affected by war, migration and asylum as well as the professionals supporting them in both educational and community settings. https://lnkd.in/eWEdHjt4

It’s complicated to care for people, navigate neighborhood and city politics, and get things built. Our culture says “the math doesn’t work” when low income commmunities demand equity. Profit for those who already have wealth is the priority in most all housing conversations. The same home built in Leawood, KS and the Lykins Neighborhood of KCMO will cost the same to construct in either location. But the financial value after it is built is appraised by the “market” in the location it is built. So, since Leawood has a greater “value” than Lykins, the same home is worth less (legacy of “Redlining”). A good comparison is to imagine if you buy a Tesla and drive it through both neighborhoods. We would think someone foolish if they said that by driving a Tesla in a poor community, it is now worth less than when it was in Leawood. But, when the asset cannot move, it’s value is based on the worth that our culture has for the other people living around the asset, not the asset itself. A car is worth the same in both communities. A new home is worth what a mortgage lender values the “neighborhood” that the new home is in. Not the actual value of the asset. When it comes to housing development, Profit is King. Why would you build where the home is worth less? For 50 years, there hasn’t been new home construction (except for the work of Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City ) in the Lykins neighborhood because everyone who looks into it comes to the same conclusion. They (residents of Lykins) are not worth it. Choosing to built with the same level of care that can be demanded in Leawood, but placing that in Lykins, is a choice to deny “Profit as King” and instead say “our neighbors deserve better”. , Reda Ibrahim and Cesar Cea, PE show that good people will sacrifice for their community. Even when everyone else is too afraid to take the risk. They stopped believing the lie that $ = value. They built an asset in a community and they show us a path for People = Value thinking in new home construction in KCMO.

In 2016, Save the Children International released a video that has since attracted over 7.6 million views. Trigger Warning: The following content discusses sensitive topics related to war and the refugee crisis and might create distress. Watching this film made me realise the refugee crisis isn't just a story I see on the news – it's happening right now, all around us. The human tragedy unfolding before us is heart-wrenching. These children, caught in the midst of it, are part of our world, and I believe we have a responsibility to ensure they are not forgotten. I find myself reflecting on how much, or how little, things have changed since 2006. Have we seen an end to children suffering in wars? Has the world recognized that wars are not solutions and that we need more dialogue and trust-building to foster peace? I may not have all the answers, but one thing I'm certain of is the enduring relevance and necessity of these films. They are crucial in shaping a society that is more respectful, understanding, and empathetic. What can we do ?