Fellow Yi-Ning Tzeng, at a special school in Thailand where
kids learn food production skills, including raising chickens

Journalists praise indigenous focus, spirit of Jefferson Fellowship
(Bangkok, Thailand; Jakarta, Indonesia; Honolulu, Hawaii)—The just concluded 2025 Jefferson Fellowship that I helped to coordinate was one of the highlights of my long professional career. Based on the post-program evaluations filled out by the Jeff fellows, I’m not alone in this assessment.

The East-West Center’s Jefferson Fellowship each year takes 10-12 journalists from the Asia Pacific region on a study and reporting tour. This month, the program included 12 journalists who studied and reported about food security from Honolulu; Jakarta, Indonesia; and Chiang Rai and Bangkok, Thailand.

In a discussion on the final day of the program last week, the journalists pointed out the aspects of the study and reporting tour that they most appreciated. At the top of the list was the program’s focus on indigenous food security and production, illustrated by our visits to the He’eia Fishpond in Hawaii and Javara indigenous food production and marketing organization in Indonesia. Others pointed to the fellows’ visit to the World Food Program in Bangkok, to CNN-Indonesia, and to the  APTERR rice reserve in Bangkok as highlights.

In post program surveys, the journalists were effusive in their praise for the 2025 Jefferson Fellowship, and enthused about the quality and quantity of their learning and of the source materials they collected for their reporting.  Fellow Se Eun Gong write, "The fellowship equipped us with the language and conceptual tools for reporting on the topic, but also with ideas and knowledge about who to talk to." Jeff Sabeen Arshad agreed, writing that the speakers and field trips "provided insights info comparative frameworks between the countries of the region, and equipped me to file stories related to food security...in the best way." Fellow Danielle Keaton-Olson praised the program's execution, noting, "I loved how well the program built upon itself structurally and informationally."

Journalist Kate Green at a solemn certificate-
awarding ceremony.

Personally, I couldn’t have enjoyed more my interactions and travel with these fellows, who were consistently lively and entertaining. They were all good travelers—not a whiner in the bunch! The group’s cohesion was gratifying to witness. For example, one of the fellows couldn’t travel to Indonesia and Thailand because of visa issues. The other Jeffs, knowing his disappointment, showered him with gifts purchased abroad which filled up half of one of my suitcases. One Jeff described the environment as “nurturing,” and I couldn’t agree more. 

At the program’s conclusion, I received many heartwarming messages from the fellows, either in person or by text. One such message kindly thanked me for my part in facilitating the fellowship, and added, “It was a terrific experience for me, and I’m happy we got to do it with you.”

Jefferson Fellows, it was a terrific experience for me, too. And I am also happy that I got to do it with all of you.

The 2025 Jefferson Fellows in Chiang Rai, Thailand 

 

Jefferson Fellows explore rice farming techniques in Northern Thailand

 Jefferson Fellows explore food security, policies in Thailand
(CHAING RAI AND BANGKOK, THAILAND)-This year’s Jefferson Fellowship is concluding this week with a fascinating trip to Thailand, where the fellows are learning about food security and seeing a number of best practices up close.

The East-West Center’s Jefferson Fellowship each year takes 10-12 journalists from the Asia Pacific region on a study and reporting tour. The fellows’ previous stops this month were in Honolulu and Jakarta, Indonesia.

During their visit to Chiang Rai and Bangkok, the fellows visited:

--A CP Foundation school where the students learn not only the three R’s but also self sufficiency through raising chickens and selling their eggs;

--Several organizations that work with farmers on sustainable, organic agricultural practices; 

In Northern Thailand, visiting a greenhouse
tended by a local farmer.

--APTERR, which hosts a strategic rice reserve for ASEAN nations plus China, Japan, and South Korea. Since 2011, they’ve distributed 60,000 metric tons of rice to needy countries, primarily Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Cambodia.

--Bangkok Rooftop Farming, which has a large urban farming and compost production facility on top of a shopping mall;

--Farmers who have transitioned from producing opium to producing agricultural products like peaches and coffee. The farmers insist that they make more money now producing coffee than they did with opium. Interesting.

The fellows also visited with UN officials from the Food and Agriculture Organization, where officials emphasized the outsize role of affordability on food security. In this region, 36% can’t afford a healthy diet. We also visited with the World Food Programme in Bangkok, where we heard a fascinating presentation on food security particularly as it relates to refugees and internally displaced persons. In short, there is a malnutrition crisis impacting 1.3 million migrants in the region. The food security situation is especially dire, according to WFP Regional Director Samir Wanmali, when food is used as a weapon of war.

All three stops have been interesting, stimulating, and surprising. Next week, I’ll wrap up my columns on the Jefferson Fellowship with some conclusions and reflections.

Near Chiang Rai in Northern Thailand, journalists interview
a farmer who has switched from growing opium to growing coffee.

 

At the Indonesian rice center, Jefferson Fellows
explore demonstration plots. 

Jefferson Fellows analyze food systems in Indonesia
(Jakarta, Indonesia)-Week two of the 2025 Jefferson Fellowships is in the books. Here in Indonesia, the fellows, 12 journalists from throughout the Asia-Pacific region, continued their reporting about food insecurity.

The program is sponsored by the East-West Center.

We took a number of interesting field trips this week, managing (mostly) to dodge Jakarta’s spirit-crushing traffic.

Among the trip we took were:
--Javara, “an Indonesian social enterprise dedicated to preserving the nation’s food biodiversity and indigenous food culture by introducing them to global markets.” We met the remarkable Helianti Hilman, founder and director. She led us through a cooking demonstration and presentation about Javara’s marketing strategy. 

Arif Ahmad, Indonesian journalist,
demonstrates his cooking skills
at Javara.

--The National Center for Rice Farming Assembly and Modernization, where we learned about efforts to cultivate new rice varieties and introduce them to Indonesian farmers.

--CNN, where we had a revealing discussion about reporting food insecurity. Especially interesting was the discussion about which stories audiences prefer. Not surprisingly, the most-clicked and viewed stories were about the ‘kitchen economy’ that includes food prices and safety.

--The Research Institute for Environment and Climate Change, where the fellows reported about a groundbreaking project called Land4Lives, which is designed to enhance economic and climate resilience of food growers, especially women. They’ve planted kitchen gardens throughout the region which serve as educational hubs for learning about organic farming and healthy diets.

The fellows learned about food systems here from Dr. Ageng Herianto from the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), who presented the good news that hunger and malnutrition in the region is down, but that more innovation, sound policy, and stronger farms are needed to continue the trend. They also visited the World Food Program offices, where we discussed how WFP supports Indonesian government food programs, including a troubled school lunch program, aimed at eliminating hunger.

Finally, the executive director of an Indonesian development NGO (INFID) spoke to the group about food sovereignty for indigenous communities. Siti Nimah noted the ongoing conflict between the government, which seeks mass production, and indigenous peoples, who prefer to produce on a smaller scale for individual and community needs. He also discussed land rights, and the scourge of palm oil production, which ruins lands that would be better used for indigenous food production.

The fellows are great travel companions—interesting, fun people. And they’ve been consistently on time—something especially important to a neurotic such as myself.

We’re traveling onward to Thailand today for the final leg of the fellowship. Stay tuned for details.

The fellows' CNN-Indonesia visit included a newsroom tour

 

Jefferson Fellows at the Hawaii Agricultural Research Center

Jeffs learn about food systems, research, peace journalism
Peace journalism made its first appearance at the 2025 Jefferson Fellowships this week.

The Jefferson Fellows (Jeffs) are 12 outstanding journalists from the region who are on an East-West Center study and reporting trip to Honolulu this week, then Indonesia and Thailand the following weeks. The theme is food security.

I introduced peace journalism’s principles, then we had a robust discussion about its applicability to reporting about food security. I suggested that PJ could apply in several ways:

1. Lead discussions about solutions to food insecurity
2. No “us vs. them” (food secure vs. insecure; rich vs. poor)
3. Illuminate systemic nature of problem
4. Voice to the marginalized—Empower the food insecure to tell their stories
5. Words/Images-Empathetic, respectful
6. Offer counternarratives—No helpless victims; no individual blame; debunk myths

The Jeffs were fascinated by our field trips this week to the He’eia Fishpond (see previous post); the Hawaii Agricultural ResearchCenter; and the Wai’anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center (WCCHC). At the Ag Center in Kailua, they visited research plots and learned about the cultivation of cash crops like cacao and coffee. At WCCHC, the Jeffs learned about the myriad of services the center offers to its community of native Hawaiians, among whom 43% experience food insecurity. These services are provided for youth and seniors, and include an innovative food prescription program to facilitate healthier eating. These food programs offer a “beacon of hope” to the community, according to Alicia Higa, the center’s director. 

We also heard a number of informative presentations this week from University of Hawaii food researchers, state officials (food system planning), and the Hawaii Food Bank, where the Jeffs heard about the concurrent challenges the bank faces. These are an increased demand for food and a simultaneous decrease in federal and SNAP nutrition funding.

The fellows each presented a short research paper on the state of food security in their home regions (Cambodia, Hawaii/US, Indonesia, Taiwan, Mongolia, South Korea, India, Pakistan, and the Philippines).

We’re on our way now for a week of reporting in Indonesia. Stay tuned for details.

At WCCHC, learning about seedlings

 

Dr. Kawika Winter points out the traditional practices used in this taro patch.

Jefferson Fellows study food security in Honolulu
There are few themes as universal or as important as food security—the very issue 11 Jefferson Fellows from the Asia-Pacific region are discussing this week at the East-West Center in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi.

These Jefferson Fellows are beginning their study and reporting tour this week in Hawaiʻi, then continuing onwards to Indonesia and Thailand later this month.

Touring the Heʻeia Fishpond

The fellowship started with a tour of the island on Sunday, then a visit Monday to the wonderfully unique and educational Heʻeia National Estuarine Research Reserve and Heʻeia Fishpond. There, the journalists interviewed Dr. Kawika Winter, director of the research reserve, who led the group on a tour of the reserve and fishpond. The research reserve and fishpond are being restored to full productivity using native Hawaiian fish farming and agricultural production techniques. The fascinating tour included a look at a restored taro plantation, and the huge lagoon where eventually large quantities of fish will be raised and harvested.

Later this week, the Jefferson Fellows will attend several panels featuring local food security experts and tour the Hawaiʻi Agricultural Research Center and tour the Waiʻanae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, which has a unique food subscription program.

The Jeffs are a great group—engaged, professional, and fun-loving. I look forward to working and traveling with them in the coming weeks.

The Jefferson Fellows at the Heʻeia Fishpond. 

 

 

Call for Submissions: The Peace Journalist Magazine
The Peace Journalist, a semi-annual magazine, is seeking submissions for its December edition. Submissions should be 600-1600 words, and address peace journalism/peace media research and projects. Please also submit photos, if possible. We do not run articles about general peace projects. Instead, we’re interested only in pieces with a strong media/journalism component or angle. 

The previous edition of The Peace Journalist can be found at https://www.scribd.com/document/847295036/Peace-Journalist-April-2025 .

You may notice a change in our publication schedule. This edition had to be moved back to December to accommodate my schedule as a program coordinator at the East-West Center. I’m leading a group of journalists in October on the Jefferson Fellowships.

The deadline for submissions is Nov. 1. The magazine usually fills up quickly, so the sooner you can get your pieces in, the better. Please submit to steven.youngblood@fulbrightmail.org . 

Thank you in advance for your submissions.

Steven Youngblood
Editor, The Peace Journalist magazine

 

 

On Peace Day, worrying about a polarized US
On International Peace Day Sept. 21, my thoughts were here at home, in the U.S., where we are collectively still processing the murder of Charlie Kirk.

I think you’d be hard pressed to find any American in either political tribe who hasn't experienced powerful emotions about Kirk’s life and death the last few weeks. The emotions, powered by social and traditional media echo chambers, are the fuel for partisanship and division—the very antithesis of peace.

I’m left depressed, and wondering if there's anything remaining that can bring us together. Do the warring factions in the U.S. (and elsewhere, I might add) even want peace? Probably not, especially when conflict and war serve their selfish interests.

What’s the solution? The first step away from polarization in the U.S. begins with media literacy education that can equip media consumers with the tools to analyze and reject hate speech and partisan misinformation. Politically, it’s time for an effective third party in the middle of the political spectrum, one that eschews the rhetoric and extremism of both the right and the left. 

If we are to be a nation drowning in demagoguery, then at least let it be demagoguery for peace.

Young leaders, experienced journalists
22 Young Southeast Asian Leaders (YSEALIs) are descending upon the East-West Center in Honolulu next week for a program to study environmental resources and design projects to mitigate resource depletion and mismanagement. I’m privileged to be working with the leaders ages 20-25 during several sessions on storytelling.

Then Oct. 5, 11 regional journalists will come to Honolulu for the Jefferson Fellowships. The fellows’ study and reporting tour will journey to Indonesia and Thailand after Hawaii to report about food security.

I’ll be writing about both these initiatives in the coming days. Stay tuned.

In Palau, I met a distinguished visitor (middle, wearing pink/peach)

 
Serious fun, serious discussions at media workshops in Palau
In Palau, I was in the middle of presenting some material about social media in a conference room in the government building complex. Suddenly, the back door to the conference room flies open, a man swoops in, and begins to make his way around the table, smiling warmly and shaking hands with each of the participants in my seminar. I stood like a pillar, not sure what to make of the scene. The swooping man finally made his way to me, shook my hand, and thanked me for conducting the training. The seminar organizer then suggested that we take a picture. If I look confused in the picture, it’s because I was.

After the photo, just as quickly as he arrived, the energetic man disappeared through the rear door. When I was sure he was gone, I asked the seminar attendees, “Who was that?” This question triggered a tsunami of uproarious laughter. After a minute or so, one person composed herself enough to answer, “That was the president (Surangel Samuel Whipps Jr.)." My jaw dropped, and I responded loudly, “The PRESIDENT??!!,” precipitating more waves of laughter.

This was a fun group, though my visit to Palau had a more serious side, too. I was there working with journalists and PR/public affairs professionals discussing peace journalism, writing for social media, and combating mis and disinformation. 

At media seminar, Kokor, Palau

Among the most important things the seminars accomplished was getting journalists and PR people in the same room, discussing each other’s respective roles to play, and their common goals in disseminating credible information.

The 15 communications professionals had some interesting feedback about peace journalism. Unlike most groups I’ve taught, they were unanimous in agreeing that bloody photos of victims should never be shown, which is understandable given the small town, conservative culture here. In other countries, usually about half of the journalists say they’d show such photos under the right circumstances. The journalists also said that they need to be more self-critical, and not be as quick to “write with our emotions.”

At the end of my session, seminar convener/organizer extraordinaire Oyaol Ngirairikl led the group in a discussion about what comes next. They said they would like a more regional focus on media, perhaps by creating an organization that would facilitate cross-border exchanges and encourage an ongoing discussion of ethics--something along the lines of the Public Relations Society of America and the Society of Professional Journalists, both of which publish respected codes of ethics (SPJ, PRSA). They’re also very interested in creating a structure that encourages and support young journalists.

A meeting to brainstorm about what this organization might look like will be held this week. I was humbled by Oyaol’s invitation to take part in the discussion via Zoom. I eagerly anticipate this meeting, and can’t wait to see what comes next for my Palauan media colleagues.

One final big thanks to the sponsors of my workshops in Guam and Palau:
The East-West Center, Glimpses Media, Sentry Hospitality, Wyndham Garden Hotel Guam, Subway Restaurants, United Airlines, the University of Guam, Tumon Sands Plaza, Chili's Grill and Bar, GFS Group, the Embassy of the United States of America in Palau, the Palasia Hotel Palau, the Palau Ministry of State, Office of the President of Palau, Sam's Tours, and Surangel & Sons.

Event organizer Oyaol Ngirairikl (in white) leads a discussion at the
media workshop in Koror, Palau.

 

At Palau Wave Radio, with energetic host Jennifer Sugiyama

"You Have a Face Made for Radio"
These were the exact words spoken to me by a snarky professor during my college years. Despite this (or perhaps because of it), I've always loved radio. As I told my trainees here in Palau today, radio was my first professional kiss.

It was with great excitement, then, that I accepted an invitation to appear on Jennifer Sugiyama's talk show this afternoon on Palau Wave Radio. A recording of the program can be found here. 

She began the show by kindly listing the sponsors* of the project I'm conducting here and previously in Guam. (See previous posts below). Jennifer is a perceptive and lively interviewer, and our chat was interesting (or, as interesting as it could be with me as a guest).

I was fascinated by her question about whether journalists should publicize that a death was by suicide. Jennifer said this is a common practice here. While avoiding telling my Palauan colleagues what to do, I said that I would never provide the detail that a death was suicide, and that to do so can re-victimize the family of the deceased. (It's different with celebrities, but we didn't get into that). Then, we discussed disinformation, peace journalism, and how to best engage young reporters.

Thanks, Jennifer and Palau Wave Radio, for the platform, and reminder that, whatever my face may look like, I still love radio.

Next week: A wrap up of my Palau-Guam peace journalism project for the East-West Center.

*Sponsors: The East-West Center, Glimpses Media, Sentry Hospitality, Wyndham Garden Hotel Guam, Subway Restaurants, United Airlines, the University of Guam, Tumon Sands Plaza, Chili's Grill and Bar, GFS Group, the Embassy of the United States of America in Palau, the Palasia Hotel Palau, the Palau Ministry of State, Office of the President of Palau, Sam's Tours, and Surangel & Sons.

East-West Center media workshop, Wyndham Garden Hotel, Guam

Guam communications pros, students engage at workshops
One of the challenging, and fun, aspects of teaching peace journalism around the world is learning about if and how its principles can be applied in different environments. Here in Guam, I’ve learned that PJ is especially applicable because of the unique challenges in this tropical paradise, a U.S. territory 3800 miles from the nearest U.S. state, Hawaii.

In my PJ session, one of five workshops I conducted here, I introduced the principles of peace journalism, and presented my ideas on how they might apply to journalism in Guam. These ideas include applying PJ to reporting about:

1. Climate change challenges, solutions (Human impact; root causes; potential to stir conflict; accountability)
2. Militarization. The U.S. military has a large presence here, hosting naval and air force bases and over 11,000 personnel. (Human impact; economic impact, especially on marginalized populations, cultural impact--a point also emphasized by a seminar attendee; Chamarro (local indigenous) voices; peace perspectives)
3. Foster dialogue, community (Between locals and military; different communities)
4. Poverty and social exclusion (Voices of the marginalized—problems and solutions)
6. Cross border reporting, across communities or islands (on climate, resource management, fishing, geopolitics).

The participants, journalists mixed with corporate and U.S. military public relations/public affairs professionals, agreed with these possible applications, and added a few of their own. These include using peace journalism to report about drug interdiction and recovery (reporting using the voices of those needing treatment and those recovered); and on how U.S. military construction has impacted local archeology and disturbed artifacts at indigenous cultural sites.

We also had a robust discussion about images, and whether it’s okay to use bloody, horrifying images. Several journalists noted that, due to the close knit community culture here, the use of such images would be taboo. I added that community standards vary greatly worldwide about using such images. I’ve seen horrifyingly graphic crime scene images in Mexican media, for example.

Workshop at Univ. of Guam
(Photo by Thelma Rogers)

In my other sessions, I met professional journalists and PR practitioners to discuss writing for social media, journalism and disinformation, and navigating disinformation as a PR professional. 

On my last full day in Guam, I met with students at the University of Guam, one of the generous sponsors* of my trip here. The students were active, inquisitive participants in my presentation about peace journalism and ethics. I got lots of difficult “is this ethical?” questions, and mostly passed the inquiries back to the students, noting that so much of what is considered ethical is culturally determined. Our discussion about images mirrored those I had with professional journalists. The students reiterated that in Guam, there is a greater sensitivity to gory, disturbing images because of the closeness of the community—of the small town feel here.

My trip thus far has been exhilarating. I have been met with inquiring minds and open hearts.

Part two of my visit to the islands begins later today with workshops here in Palau, where I arrived early this morning. Stay tuned for details.

*Sponsors: The East-West Center, Glimpses Media, Sentry Hospitality, Wyndham Garden Hotel Guam, Subway Restaurants, United Airlines, the University of Guam, Tumon Sands Plaza, Chili's Grill and Bar, GFS Group, the Embassy of the United States of America in Palau, the Palasia Hotel Palau, the Palau Ministry of State, Office of the President of Palau, Sam's Tours, and Surangel & Sons.

Engaging students at Univ. of Guam
(Photo by Thelma Rogers)

Palau!

It's a tough job, but....
In my peace journalism travels, I’ve been privileged to travel to 34 countries and territories, along the way meeting diverse journalists and experiencing local culture and food. Admittedly, some of these 34 countries don't provide much bucolic travel brochure material. However, that’s not the case with destinations #35 and #36.

I leave tomorrow for Guam, and will continue onwards to Palau—both staggeringly beautiful, culturally rich locales. It’s going to be hard to concentrate on my teaching when I know that world-class beaches, invigorating hikes, cultural sites, and fresh seafood are at my fingertips. But I promise to do my best to focus on my sessions for journalists, students, and military and embassy/government public affairs professionals. I’m teaching a wide variety of workshops, including peace journalism, combating disinformation, journalism ethics, and writing for social media. I’ve had fun planning for these sessions, which harken back to my 27 years in front of university classrooms.

This teaching tour is an important way for the East-WestCenter (EWC), where I work as a program coordinator, to reach out to journalists in the Pacific Islands region. The local sponsors* of my visit to Guam and Palau and I hope this series of workshops plants the seeds for future collaborative programming between EWC, journalists, and media organizations in the Pacific.

Stay tuned to this page for details on my sessions which begin next week. I’ll do what I can to avoid posting too many breathtakingly gorgeous photos.

*Sponsors: The East-West Center, Glimpses Media, Sentry Hospitality, Wyndham Garden Hotel Guam, Subway Restaurants, United Airlines, the University of Guam, Tumon Sands Plaza, Chili's Grill and Bar, GFS Group, the Embassy of the United States of America in Palau, the Palasia Hotel Palau, the Palau Ministry of State, Office of the President of Palau, and Surangel & Sons.

Guam!

Study: Newspapers neutral about nuclear weapons
A recent study looking at Ukraine-Russia war coverage in three international newspapers showed that when discussing nuclear weapons, The New York Times, The Guardian (UK), and the Global Times (China)  “mainly adopted a neutral tone toward nuclear weapons while emphasizing systemic and operational values.” The study said that “their news coverage did not vigorously criticize Russia’s nuclear threats” even though “they all reported that Russia’s adjustments to its national nuclear forces were on high alert and its nuclear military exercises.”

From a peace journalism perspective, these findings are alarming. 

                                               AI generated image

Emphasizing “systemic and operational values” of nuclear weapons instead of the weapons’ moral repugnancy is hardly peace journalism that gives society a chance to value non-violent responses to conflict. Instead, sterile discussions of nuclear hardware normalize these weapons, and more broadly, the militarization that frames nuclear escalation. 

Peace journalism instead would give at least comparable coverage to the moral and ethical aspects of using these weapons, constantly reminding the reader of the armageddon that will ensue if they’re ever used. Nuclear weapons must never be normalized. Instead of this “operational and systemic” coverage, a peace journalist would explore solutions to both underlying conficts, and to the proliferation of nuclear weapons themselves. 

PJ reporting could also include bridge-building reporting that rejects ‘us vs. them’ models while instead seeking common ground. In a world saturated with nuclear weapons, the common ground should be easy to find: if these weapons are used, our world and everything in it is destroyed.

The study by authors Yu Guo, Xiubin Duan, and Xiaodong Yang also found that two of the papers (The New York Times and Global Times) portrayed the Russia-Ukraine war using war journalism frames, whereas  the Guardian used more peace journalism framing. The Guardian’s PJ framing manifested itself with coverage that highlighted “the war’s invisible impacts and multifaceted interests,” leading to opportunities to “foster positive dialog between conflicting parties," according to the authors. 

This study, Valuing or devaluing nuclear weapons in the war journalism: a cross-national comparative content analysis of news coverage during the Russian war in Ukraine, was published in the Humanities and Social Sciences Communications journal.

 

 

(Image Source: Shared Future News)

Event explores intersection of peace, photography
A recent article from one of my favorite peace and media sites, Shared Future News, has renewed my interest regarding the role of images in peacebuilding and peace journalism.

The article by SFN editor Allan Leonard titled “Peace Photography: Supporting Conflict Transformation” discusses a recent online session that explored the “intersection of photography and peace. The event brought together a range of experts and practitioners to discuss how photography can foster cultures of peace in different contexts.” The online session analyzed “how photography can contribute to the recovery and transformation of conflict” including making complex histories more accessible, preserving a collective memory, and fostering dialogue and reconciliation.

On the last point, the article describes presenter Jacques Nkinzingabo who spoke about his work at the Kigali Center for Photography  in Rwanda. Nkinzingabo told the gathering that “photography can play a role to bring people together with dialogues within the community on different types of conversation and issues around them.” 

Nkinzingabo’s work (The Home Stay Exhibitions) is striking. Equally impactful is another stellar example of photography as a tool of reconciliation from the New York Times. In 2014, 20 years after the Rwandan genocide, the Times published “Portraits of Reconciliation,” a powerful, chilling photo essay that pictures perpetrators and victims side by side.  

Certainly, the principles discussed in the webinar are aligned with peace journalism. One PJ characteristic advises,  “Peace journalists thoughtfully select the images they use, understanding that they can misrepresent an event, exacerbate an already dire situation, and re-traumatize those who have suffered.” Indeed, in the many peace journalism workshops I’ve taught (34 countries and counting!), we always discuss images, and analyze the appropriateness of using bloody images, for example. Are they needed to tell the story, or are they simply sensational click-bait? I never advise not to use gory or gruesome images, but caution my trainees to see the photo through the eyes of a victim or her family.

In my seminars, we also discuss how images can also misrepresent events. For example, if there are 1000 protesters, and 998 of them are peaceful, should the most prominent images from the protest be two violent individuals clashing with police? Yes, this violence did occur, but do images of that violence that truly reflect the 99.8% peaceful nature of the protest?

Leonard’s article about the online session concludes, “The idea of peace photography is still an emerging concept, but it is already making a significant impact…As the session concluded, the collective sentiment seemed to be that peace photography is not just an art form but a practice deeply embedded in ethical care, community involvement, and proactive engagement.” 

To learn more, you can download a free copy of the thought-provoking guide, “Peace Photography: A Guide” here.

Gloria Laker accepts the Luxembourg Peace Prize 
alongside her daughter Cindy.

Inspirational PJ advocate accepts Luxembourg Peace Prize
I’m a proud uncle. Or colleague. Or friend. Or brother from another mother.

Whatever I am, I was bursting with pride last Friday as my closest colleague Gloria Laker Adiiki Aciro (let’s call her Gloria) from Uganda was awarded the Luxembourg Peace Prize for peace journalism in an awards ceremony at the European Convention Center in Luxembourg. Gloria and I have worked side-by-side on PJ projects in East Africa and Turkey since 2007.

I had the honor of introducing Gloria to the gathered laureates and well-wishers, including Gloria’s daughter Cindy and sister Maureen, who flew in from London. In my introductory comments, I listed Gloria’s many accomplishments, including:

--Training 800 reporters in peace journalism in Uganda, Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, South Sudan, Turkey, and Zimbabwe
--Launching the Peace Journalism Foundation-Uganda in 2011
-- Founding the Uganda Refugee and Migration Media Network and the platform Refugee Online News, which highlights stories produced for and by refugees. Refugee Online News offers a counternarrative to the typically negative, victimizing and demonizing reporting about refugees.
-- Receiving of Golden Jubilee Medal, presented by Ugandan President Museveni, in 2019.
--Being nominated for the BBC Outlook Inspiration Award

As I concluded my comments, I noted that, ”Any cold recitation of Gloria's qualifications misses her tremendous impact on Ugandan journalism generally, and female journalists particularly. She is a respected, even revered, role model who has inspired hundreds of young women to pursue journalism… Gloria  is truly an inspiration, and the embodiment of what it means to be a peace journalist.”

Gloria Laker's acceptance speech

In her acceptance speech, Gloria traced her roots as a displaced person, then later as a young reporter 
during the LRA (Joseph Kony) war in Uganda. She humbly thanked her family and colleagues, and talked about all of the important peacebuilding work that still needs to be done.

I can’t wait to see what she accomplishes next.

Gloria’s was one of seven Luxembourg Peace Prizes presented at the 13^th LPP ceremony. The others were for Outstanding Environmental Peace (Tony Rinuado, Australia); Outstanding Peace Activist (World Central Kitchen, U.S.); Outstanding Peace Process (Dror Rubin, Israel, and Ghardir Hani, Palestine); Outstanding Peace Support (Chiche!, Luxembourg); Outstanding Youth Peacemaker (Peace Activists Afghanistan); and for Outstanding Peace Activism (Jennifer Teege, Germany). For more information, see the event’s program at https://luxembourgpeaceprize.org/2025-program/ .

The Luxembourg Peace Prize honors outstanding contributions to peace-building, conflict resolution, and humanitarian efforts around the world. It is sponsored by the Schengen Peace Foundation. 

An icebreaker activity at the Luxembourg Peace Prize ceremony.

Fulbright program's possible demise would be calamitous
Using the flimsy excuse of eliminating fraud and waste, the administration and its congressional sycophants are seeking to severely cripple or even terminate the impactful Fulbright Program and its international exchange cousins. 

The demise of Fulbright and other international exchange programs would undermine U.S. interests around the world, making the country less secure, less respected, and less prosperous.

Fulbright is the nation’s flagship educational and cultural exchange program, conducted in partnership with 160 countries. As a three-time Fulbright Scholar (Moldova 2001 and 2023-24; Azerbaijan 2007), I can attest to the program’s tremendously positive impact at home and abroad. 

The first shot has been fired. Last month, the administration cancelled Fulbright-Hayes grants for fiscal year 2025. More than 400 applicants for group and dissertation projects and faculty research had already been submitted for the program this year. (Inside Higher Ed).  Besides Fulbright-Hayes, the Fulbright program includes initiatives that send U.S. university faculty overseas to teach (Scholar Program), students overseas to learn (Student Program) and teach (English Teaching Assistant Program), and international students to come to the U.S. (Foreign Student program). About 8,000 Fulbrighters participate in the program each year.

The program has operated independently and with bipartisan support since its inception in 1946, until now.

In the current FY26 budget, the Trump administration and its congressional minions are  proposing to essentially eliminate State Department funding for education and exchange programs, cutting the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) from $741 million to $50 million—a 94% reduction. (ECA funds Fulbright, other international exchange programs like the International Visitor Leadership Program, and entities like the East-West Center, where I’m proud to work.)

The rationale for these budget cuts is that ECA programs like Fulbright are supposedly inefficient and poorly monitored. This is transparently nonsensical. The last Inspector General report on ECA was done in 2021 did not report any fraud. As to the poor monitoring charge, “Exchange programs are some of the most monitored and evaluated programs in the government. U.S. organizations that implement State Department exchange programs are strong and scrupulous partners who exhibit consistent quality and accountability,” according to the Alliance for International Education.

Further, Fulbright is being undermined by administration meddling in the selection process, leading nearly all the members of the Fulbright board to resign earlier this month. In a statement, the board said, “This proud legacy has depended on one thing above all: the integrity of the program’s selection process based on merit, not ideology, and its insulation from political interference. That integrity is now undermined.” 

What’s the real reason behind these myopic, ill-informed attacks on international exchanges and education? I believe they represent the same guttural reflex the administration has displayed as it’s attacked higher education more broadly. Education and international exchanges open minds and hearts, and more generally make the public less malleable and susceptible to the disinformation that is the life blood of MAGA. Vice president J.D. Vance said the quiet part aloud in 2021 when he commented during an address that higher ed “gives credibility to some of the most ridiculous ideas that exist in this country.” His address was titled, “The Universities are the Enemy.” (The Guardian). Further, programs like Fulbright are in the crosshairs because they clash with MAGA's narrow-minded “America First” ideology since Fulbright is a dynamic demonstration of the value of multiculturalism and global interdependence. It’s hard to imagine any Fulbrighter supporting a travel ban, for example.

If Fulbright is guillotined, the impact will be calamitous. As the Fulbright board stated, “The erosion of the Fulbright program weakens America and our national security interests. Institutions and the rule of law matter and have distinguished our country for almost 250 years."

If international exchanges are terminated, lost will be opportunities for 15,000 American participants who travel abroad on Fulbright and other State Department exchanges every year. These ambassadors gain “critical skills and experiences that set them up for success in the global marketplace.” Also lost will be private and international government contributions to American public diplomacy.  According to the Alliance for International Education, “The Global Ties U.S. network of 90+ community-based nonprofits in all 50 states that implement the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) sees an 11:1 return on federal investment – for every federal dollar spent on their programs conducted in the United States, these organizations generate $11 more.”  

When he was a senator, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, like many of his congressional colleagues, used to write his constituents who received Fulbright grants. His letter congratulated them on the “exceptional opportunity” they were being given to participate in an “impactful program” that is highly effective at “building a relationship between our great nation and another country.” (Alliance for International Education).

Rubio's right. Fulbright and other international exchanges deserve his support, the support of his boss, and the support of our nation.

Considering the consequences of our reporting in South Asia
I’m often asked about the peace journalism characteristic that asks journalists to consider the consequences of their reporting. Specifically, what does this mean? My response, to avoid disseminating content that pours extra gasoline onto the fire or that deepens divisions among groups and nations, is usually met with polite nods. However, I seldom see the light bulbs illuminate above my trainees heads.

Now, I have a good example of exactly what “consider the consequences” means.

I ran across an article* last month during the India-Pakistan violence that was well researched and well written. It critically analyzed a problem on the other side (an Indian analyzing Pakistan, or vice-versa), and reached logical conclusions that were supported by the evidence and quotes presented.

Sounds fine, right?

A quick perusal of the comments posted at the bottom of the article, however, showed that the story primarily succeeded in stirring up additional hated against “them.” The commenters wrote that the story confirmed the negative information that the writers already knew about “them” and “their” citizens. In fact, anyone who read the article on “our” side couldn’t help but come away with a more negative opinion of “them.”

Now, the story was correct as far as it went. What the article failed to mention was that the exact same problem that was spotlighted occurs just as much on “our” side as it does on theirs. The article had no context, only the misleading insinuation that this problem exclusively belongs to “them.”

A better, peace journalism article would’ve noted that the problem occurs equally on both sides. It would state that both Indian and Pakistani societies are damaged by this problem, and that both societies need to work to find solutions that address the issue.

Using this approach, bridges of commonality are being built instead of walls of derision and hatred. It’s a shame that the author didn’t consider the consequences of their reporting. The consequence of this article is that a few more people in the subcontinent have had their worst impressions about their so-called enemies reinforced.

*I’m not naming the article or journalist, since my goal here is not to shame anyone. I can say that the author was not one of the East-West Center’s cross border journalists who set an admirable example during the recent violence. See my blog for details: https://stevenyoungblood.blogspot.com/2025/05/amid-violence-pakistani-indian.html

Discussing natural resources in the New Mexico governor's office

Young leaders learn peace media; explore resource protection
The concept of peace media is resonating with a  team of young Southeast Asian leaders who are wrapping up a fellowship in the United States.

The young leaders from across Southeast Asia, aged 18-25, were in Honolulu for 25 days,  and Santa Fe, NM for five days. They’re in Washington, DC now to wrap up the fellowship. During this program, they're learning about natural resources and their management while they develop community projects to enhance natural resource protection in their home countries.

My part in this project has been to work with the young leaders on understanding and mitigating disinformation, using peace media approaches, and developing a communications plan to promote their natural resource protection projects. In informal discussions after my sessions, the concept of peace media seems to especially intrigued the young leaders. Peace media is when content creators, and those who share content online, disseminate information with peace in mind. This means rejecting hateful and divisive language and images, and instead using their platforms to build bridges and encourage a sense of community.

The plans they created to promote their natural resource protection projects were nuanced and sophisticated, taking into account their audiences and the best platforms for disseminating information. I was impressed with their work.

Mock trial, Honolulu--Land rights

Our communication discussions were only part of the larger project, cleverly designed by the East West Center’s Lance Boyd. The fellows were constantly challenged and engaged by fascinating activities like a mock trial centering on indigenous land rights; a visit to ancient cliff dwellings in New Mexico; and a boat trip to look at resource protection along the Anacostia River in Washington. One of the highlights was a meeting in the New Mexico’s governor’s office, where the fellows discussed natural resources (indigenous lands, water resources, and food insecurity) with the governor’s staff, who were impressed with the research and thoughtful analysis done by the fellows. 

As the project concludes, the fellows will return to their home countries (Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, etc.) and launch their resource protection projects. Given the fellows’ professional competence and boundless energy, I have no doubt that each of these projects will be an overwhelming success.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE, I had to leave the program a few days early to deal with a family emergency. Upon hearing the news, the fellows showered me with kindness and warm wishes that I will never forget. Thank you, young leaders.

Stargazing, and staying warm, in Santa Fe, NM

Amid violence, Pakistani-Indian journalists spread goodwill
In the wake of the recent Pakistan-India violence, online disinformation and hate speech is flourishing.

In both countries, Facebook and X have been “awash” with misrepresented claims that have been amplified by media outlets the have published “false or unverifiable claims of military victories that experts say have exacerbated tensions and contributed to a flood of hate speech.” (France24) This mis and disinformation includes “doctored clips, misleading war footage, and AI-generated content. Footage from unrelated conflicts—like those in Gaza and Ukraine—(have been) passed off as fresh evidence from the India-Pakistan front.” (The420)  

However, there is a group of Indian and Pakistani journalists who are paddling against this malevolent, hateful current.  Not coincidentally, these journalists were part of a cross-border reporting project spearheaded by the East-West Center.

Since 2015, about 150 Indian and Pakistani journalists have participated in EWC cross border reporting projects. I was one of the trainers for two of these initiatives in 2022 and 2024. In both years, we met the journalists online first, then in person in Nepal, for trainings that included peace journalism, multimedia reporting skills, as well as content-specific strategies on reporting the environment, business, agriculture, and health. After the trainings, the journalists teamed up (one Indian, one Pakistani) to report on issues of mutual importance. (Click here to access some of their reports and to see a short video where the journalists discuss their experiences as cross border reporters).

As part of each workshop, the journalists connected on WhatsApp. They have continued to interact on this platform even years after the cross border reporting project officially ended. Usually, they use WhatsApp to share stories they’ve written, seek feedback, and make requests of one another (e.g. “Does anyone know a gynecologist who can comment on the connection of heat and its effects on women’s health?”).

Knowing that many of the journalists are still active on WhatsApp, it was with some trepidation that I finally signed on myself to see what they’ve been saying about the recent violence South Asia that nearly sparked an all-out war.

I had no reason for concern. In fact, I couldn’t have been more thrilled with what I read.

“OK guys, just putting it out there,” was the first message I saw after the violence erupted. “Please stay safe wherever you are and on whichever side of the border. Take care. Love and peace to you.”

Other messages stuck a similar tone. “Stay safe everyone, love and hugs,” read one. Others said, “This time shall pass,” “Hopeful,” "Following this, we have a lot of work to stitch up the holes,” and perhaps my favorite, “May peace come soon. May love be stronger than hate for all people on both sides.”

Since the recent violence, there has not been one negative comment in their WhatsApp group.

This WhatsApp lovefest in the midst of violence is a reflection on the character of the cross-border journalists. Imagine how difficult it must be for Indians and Pakistanis to speak out about the humanity of their supposed “enemies” while a violent conflict rages?  To fall into line and spout reflexive patriotism and assign blame to the “enemy” is easy, but to paddle against the current with messages of compassion, tolerance, and peace takes genuine bravery.

The journalists’ determined commitment to one another and to “the better angels of our nature” is validation for the concept of cross border collaboration which was pioneered at the East-West Center by Susan Kreifels and her colleagues. If these journalists hadn’t met, hadn’t learned and worked together, would such a show of humanity be possible? Kreifels and cross border project trainers Randy Smith, Laura Ungar, Steve Rice, and Sara Shipley-Hiles have been the perfect role models and trainers for these journalists, adeptly dispensing their unique, invaluable brand of compassionate professionalism.

The last note on the subject on the WhatsApp thread was written by one of the strongest, smartest female journalists I know. She summed it up nicely, writing, “Guys, we did it. We proved we can be professional for the greater good despite patriotism. It was tough but we made it. You should be proud of yourselves for rising to the occasion. (Heart emoji). I am proud to know you.”

So am I.

Young leaders in Santa Fe
I just landed in Santa Fe, NM with 25 young leaders from Southeast Asia. We're continuing a program that's been underway in Hawaii the last three weeks (see previous blogs). Stay tuned for updates.