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.

 

 

Press Freedom Day event promotes peace journalism in S. Asia
I’ve been privileged to have two consecutive meaningful experiences on World Press Freedom Day.

Last year, I spent the day with my colleagues from the Independent Journalism Center and the Independent Press Association protesting Russian disinformation and mistreatment of journalists in front of the Russian embassy in Chisinau, Moldova.

Last Saturday, World Press Freedom Day 2025, I was honored to be invited to speak via Zoom at an event sponsored by Aaghaz-e-Dosti, an Indian-based organization dedicated to building better relations between Indians and Pakistanis. (Aaghaz-e-Dosti literally means, the beginning of friendship). The presentation came at an especially fraught time given the recent deadly attack that killed 26 people in Kashmir, and today’s news of a missile test and military drills in the region. (Reuters) 

I gave an overview of peace journalism, and then answered a barrage of really good questions from the audience, including an insightful query about the role of media in peacebuilding. I pointed to an East-West Center cross-border reporting project that teamed up Indian and Pakistani journalists to report stories as an example of such collaborations can help to set the table for peace. But I was clear that journalists and journalism alone can’t bring peace—that the work we do as peace journalists is only one ingredient in a complicated recipe for peace.

One of the 25 attendees was Ms. Ela Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi’s granddaughter. She commented that there is a great deal in common between what Mahatma Gandhi said about journalism, and the concept of peace journalism. I agree. The principles he embraced included rejecting “us vs. them reporting,” media as a tool for de-escalation, and media as a tool to foster reconciliation. (See The Peace Journalist magazine, October 2019). 

I admire the work that Aaghaz-e-Dosti does, in their words, “to eradicate mutual hatred and suspicion and desires to create unwavering bonds of peace and friendship. This is because we believe that miscommunication and lack of communication has helped sustain the conflict.  To meet our objective, Aaghaz-e-Dosti has taken several initiatives ranging from interactive sessions in schools to public demonstrations, from art-based initiatives to writing articles and issuing statements. We are moving towards our aim through peace education and advocacy among common people, young minds on both sides of border through widespread network and dedicated volunteers.” 

I share Aaghaz-e-Dosti's commitment to fostering peace and friendship in South Asia.