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Dear Emily,

My name is Tim Receveur and I have been working at PeaceTech Lab for nearly seven years. For those not in the non-profit sector, seven years is the equivalent of 50 regular years.

In this time I've had the privilege of partnering with over 1,400 organizations working on many of the world's most pressing issues -- from Nicaragua to Nigeria, and Kenya to Kazakhstan.

On my third day with PeaceTech Lab, I found myself on a plane headed to Iraq. After years of war I had expected to see angry and jaded people, but instead I left inspired by their hopefulness and their dedication-- a trend that we've witnessed in conflict zones around the world. 

I can assure you the path has not always been easy, but our programs have always been rewarding and changed lives -- like applying technology to tackle security issues on the edge of the Sahara Desert in Agadez, Niger or empowering young entrepreneurs in Chhattisgarh, India to start projects with the potential to change the course of a decades' long insurgency in that state.  

As the COVID-19 pandemic took over the world, PeaceTech Lab realized the violence associated with the disease involved many of the same issues we focus on every day: hate speech and xenophobia, excessive use of force, and gender-based violence. We started documenting COVID-19-related violence with our partners at the global law firm Hogan Lovells. We are now in Phase 2 of the project and have joined forces with the Digital 100 in The Netherlands and Georgia Tech to automate the data and provide valuable early warning and insights to our network of partners around the world.

Even before the tragic death of George Floyd, PeaceTech Lab had been exploring ways to empower organizations working on social justice issues. We are proud to announce that PeaceTech Lab will be launching its first-ever U.S. program The Road to Equal Justice in Baltimore in October. This will be the first stop in a 16-city workshop series focused on providing media, data, and technology support to organizations working on social justice. 

You can help us in this important work. Through September 11th, a group of generous donors has pledged to match all financial gifts to PeaceTech Lab, to help us carry out more violence prevention in more places. It doesn''t take much. If everyone gave $8, we''d reach our goal by the weekend!

Take it from the guy who''s spent 364 Fridays at PeaceTech Lab-- there''s no better way to end your week than by doing something to put the right tools and training into the hands of peacebuilders. 


All the best,

Tim Receveur

Director of PeaceTech Exchanges, PeaceTech Lab

Dear PeaceTech Friend, 

This last Saturday, we had the honor of commemorating World Refugee Day together with our partner, legendary singer-songwriter and global humanitarian Ricardo Montaner. Montaner urged nearly 20 million of his followers to help raise awareness about some of the challenges faced by refugees during COVID-19, and to support PeaceTech Lab's efforts to help reduce the spread of the pandemic in refugee camps.

World Refugee Day has since passed, but our commitment to helping refugee communities persists.  Over 26.9 million refugees and 79.5 million displaced persons remain the most affected by COVID-19. In many refugee camps, spaces intended for 1,000 people are crowded with more than 6,000. Food shortages have led to an epidemic of malnutrition. Healthcare is hindered by a lack of basic sanitation and medical supplies. And many communities have the equivalent of just 1.4 doctors per 10,000 people.

We know how critical refugees are in working towards peace around the world. Through innovations in media and technology, refugees are instrumental in combating COVID-19. They are heroes on the frontlines and leaders in striving to support neighbors, address misinformation, and keep communities informed of proper safety guidelines. 

PeaceTech Lab and Ricardo Montaner remain dedicated partners with refugees. Through our investment in using media, technology, and data for positive social change, we aim to create a more peaceful and inclusive world, one that prioritizes the security of its most vulnerable populations.  

We are committed to providing essential supplies to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Every single dollar is critical in providing drinking water, face-masks, and sanitation supplies to refugee communities in order to reduce the pandemic. You too can be part of this mission by making a donation. 
 

Thank You,
 

Sheldon Himelfarb, PhD
President & CEO

SINGER RICARDO MONTANER TO BE APPOINTED AS AMBASSADOR FOR PEACE BY PEACETECH LAB DURING THE INAUGURAL INTERNATIONAL PEACE HONORS

Join us for a milestone ceremony that will recognize some of the most outstanding global leaders and change agents of our time.

We are excited to announce that we will officially bestow the "Ambassador for Peace" honor to legendary singer-songwriter and partner, Ricardo Montaner, for his lifelong humanitarian commitment, and for his use of media and technology as tools to create peace. He will be recognized during the International Peace Honors, alongside a group of important influencers, all of whom are working boldly to positively shape our society and environment.

"It is an honor to designate Ricardo Montaner as our Ambassador for Peace for his lifelong humanitarian work as an advocate for children, migrants, and other vulnerable groups, and for his unwavering commitment to PeaceTech Lab's mission," said Sheldon Himelfarb, President and CEO of PeaceTech Lab.

The appointment will be made during the inaugural ceremony of the International Peace Honors (IPH), which will be broadcast digitally on Sunday, December 6 at 8:00 p.m. EST, through various social media platforms, including those of IPH, PeaceTech Lab, the host, honorees, performers, media partners, and others, reaching potentially up to 50 million people internationally. The ceremony will recognize some of today''s most innovative global leaders, including Black Lives Matter co-founder Opal Tometi and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci, both on TIME'S 2020 list of 100 Most Influential People of the Year. Also recognized will be Amazonian Chief Raoni of the Kayap? tribe, singer-songwriter and activist Ricky Martin, and the ''Father of the Internet,'' Vint Cerf.

"I am humbled by this distinction; I see it as a renewal of my commitment to continue using my platforms and networks to serve this mission of transforming, building, and impacting in favor of a safer and more peaceful world for all," said Ricardo Montaner.

PeaceTech Lab will soon announce the host of the ceremony, performing artists, as well as presenters and special guests who will also be part of the International Peace Awards and who will join a truly global audience, inspired by the idea of shaping a more peaceful and equitable future.

To read the Press Release click here.

Visit the official website: https:/internationalpeacehonors.com/

 

Become an International Peace Honors Supporter!

EL CANTAUTOR VENEZOLANO RICARDO MONTANER SER? RECONOCIDO COMO EMBAJADOR DE LA PAZ POR PEACETECH LAB DURANTE LA CEREMONIA INAUGURAL DE LOS PREMIOS INTERNACIONALES DE LA PAZ 

Acomp??anos en una ceremonia hist?rica que reconocer? a algunos de los l?deres mundiales y agentes de cambio m?s destacados de nuestro tiempo.

Nos emociona anunciar que oficialmente nombramos como "Embajador Por la Paz" al cantante, compositor legendario y aliado Ricardo Montaner, por su compromiso humanitario inquebrantable y por el uso de los medios de comunicaci?n y la tecnolog?a como herramientas para construir la paz. El artista ser? reconocido durante los Premios Internacionales de la Paz, junto con un grupo notable de l?deres influyentes, quienes trabajan valientemente para impactar de manera positiva nuestra sociedad y medio ambiente.

"Es un honor para nuestra organizaci?n poder nombrar a Ricardo Montaner como nuestro Embajador por la Paz, por su compromiso con la misi?n de PeaceTech Lab y como defensor de los ni?os, los migrantes y otros grupos vulnerables", sostiene Sheldon Himelfarb, presidente y director ejecutivo de PeaceTech Lab.

El nombramiento se realizar? durante la ceremonia inaugural de los Premios Internacionales de la Paz (PIP), que ser?n transmitidos digitalmente el domingo 6 de diciembre a las 8:00 pm, EST., a trav?s de diversas plataformas de redes sociales, incluidas las de los PIP, del anfitri?n, los galardonados, los artistas musicales, medios de comunicaciones asociados, entre otros, alcanzando potencialmente hasta 50 millones de personas en todo el mundo. Durante esta ceremonia tambi?n se reconocer?n varios de los l?deres globales m?s innovadores de la actualidad. Entre los homenajeados de este a?o, se encuentra la cofundadora de Black Lives Matter, Opal Tometi y el director del Instituto Nacional de Alergias y Enfermedades Infecciosas, Dr. Anthony Fauci, ambos en la lista TIME'S 2020 de las 100 personas m?s influyentes del a?o. Tambi?n figura el jefe amaz?nico Raoni de la tribu Kayap?; el cantautor y activista Ricky Martin y el ''Padre del Internet'', Vint Cerf.

"Agradezco con humildad este reconocimiento. Lo veo como una inmensa ventana y la renovaci?n de mi compromiso para seguir utilizando mi lugar y mis redes al servicio de esta misi?n de transformar, construir e impactar en favor de un mundo m?s pacifico para todos", sostiene Ricardo Montaner.

Pr?ximamente PeaceTech Lab anunciar? al anfitri?n de la ceremonia, artistas que se estar?n presentando, as? como presentadores e invitados especiales que tambi?n formar?n parte de la ceremonia de apertura de los Premios Internacionales de la Paz y que se unir?n a una audiencia verdaderamente global, inspirados en la idea de dar forma a un futuro m?s justo y equitativo. 

Para leer el Comunicado de Prensa haz click aqu?.

Visita el sitio oficial: http://premiosinternacionalesdelapaz.org/

Apoya a los Premios Internacionales de la Paz

What's one way to spark change? Through meaningful conversation. This week, we bring you three important conversations about media, technology, and peacebuilding. Each piece is timely, useful for our work, and helps reveal how you can help harness the power of tech tools to create a more peaceful future.

Change in the Humanitarian Sector

Jessica Alexander & Ben Parker | The New Humanitarian 

Humanitarian policy experts document changes and growth in the nonprofit sector, including job growth, drivers of conflict, and other statistical data that track progression in the field.  

Why Skim? The growth Alexander and Parker track reveal the need for new ideas around issues of injustice worldwide. While the nonprofit sector has grown exponentially, organizations like ours are tackling a myriad of new challenges to remain reflective and impactful-and we need your support.

How are we taking this on? By documenting and analyzing COVID-19 related violence around the world. Alexander and Parker found a steady growth in attacks against aid workers and first responders over the last decade, and that is one of many patterns we are tracking here.

Coronavirus tracing apps can save lives

Patrick Howell | MIT Technology Review 

In this short-form article, Howell discusses the growth of COVID-19 tracing apps, and how these tech tools can help save lives as we begin returning to schools and workplaces.

Why Read? To explore an Oxford University study that shows how tracing apps can significantly impact the reduction, prevention, and resurgence of COVID-19, and to learn about the countries that are already finding success with these applications.

Why does this matter? It matters that experts and innovators are using tech for good, providing affordable tools that use technology to protect individuals. At PeaceTech Lab, we empower local community builders to innovate and imagine technology solutions for challenges they face. Learn about how we are doing this in communities across the United States, starting this year.  

The Commitment March

Ike Edeani & Zach Montague | New York Times

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his "I Have a Dream Speech" in 1963 from the Lincoln Memorial. A few days ago, Black leaders organized the Commitment March to commemorate the 1963 March, and to address racism and police brutality today. Edani and Montague capture images and stories of the people who join this important movement. 

Why discuss? Black community leaders, activists, and peaceful protestors shared stories at the Commitment March that will remain central for the coming decade. Take into consideration our 'read' and 'skim' articles-- how can we use innovative thinking and harness the growth of humanitarian organizations to advocate for justice and equality? 

How we are doing our part: Inspired by the Commitment March and the Movement for Black Lives; Our program, the Road to Equal Justice, will bring a diverse cohort of leaders, activists, and policymakers together to launch projects focused on reversing and addressing forms of injustice. To learn more, or support, follow the links below! 

Let us know what you think! How did your discussion go? Email us your thoughts on any one of these articles or respond to our call on Twitter, we might showcase your insights in our next newsletter!

Dear Emily,

I'm Twila LaMar, and it's been my privilege to work closely with Sheldon and the team at PeaceTech Lab for the past four years.

As a cancer survivor and military spouse, I like to think I'm pretty resilient. So last January when I was asked to choose a word or phrase for the Meet the Lab page on our website, I chose "Ready for a Challenge" . a commitment 2020 has given me ample opportunity to test every day since.

Which is why the initiatives Sheldon laid out in his note last week are so incredible to me. In case you didn't have a chance to read all the way through, here are the highlights:

• PeaceTech Lab and partners have worked since last March to produce the world's most comprehensive data platform for understanding and preventing COVID-19 related violence.

• In October, the Lab will launch its first-ever U.S. program, a 16-city PeaceTech Exchange series focused on equal justice. 

• We're helping activists identify and counter hate speech in three new countries: Sudan, Central African Republic and Ethiopia-- bringing our total portfolio of online hate speech lexicons to cover 13 of the most violence-prone nations.

His note included a final important update-- through September 11th, a group of generous donors has pledged to match gifts to PeaceTech Lab, to help us carry out more violence prevention in more places. 

It turns out I wasn't the only one up for a challenge-- many of you have stepped up over the past week to show support for the Lab, unlocking matching funds for which we are deeply grateful.

But to fully maximize these funds, we need a lot more people to consider giving-- $5, $10, or $20 can make a huge difference! In fact, if every person receiving this email today chipped in just $8, we would meet our fundraising goal!

I'll tell you a secret about challenges: they're really not so scary when you've got the right people in your corner. Thanks so much for being in mine-- I promise to be in yours, too.
 

Let's do this together,

Twila

Senior Manager, PeaceTech Lab
@Twi_lala

PeaceTech Lab announced as Finalist for the Global Maker Challenge

We are excited to announce our selection as one of the finalist for the Global Maker Challenge. Led by the Mohammad Bin Rashid Initiative for Global Prosperity (the Global Prosperity Initiative), the Global Maker Challenge recognizes institutions that have "positively contributed to the well-being of our world" and are "dedicated to spreading global prosperity through the art of making."

The Global Prosperity Initiative is an enterprise of the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (GMIS), which hosts two challenges yearly to identify and support organizations that foster "the values of resilience, community, harmony and dignity."  The initiative collaborates with the "world's leading manufacturers, start-ups and entrepreneurs, governments, UN agencies...and researchers" to identify and support comprehensive solutions for global prosperity.

This year, the Global Prosperity initiative received 3,400 submissions from organizations in 148 countries. Amongst these submissions, PeaceTech Lab was selected by judges as one of twenty finalists with potential to make "the greatest positive impact on society" while in the greatest alignment with the UN's seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition, we have been selected as one of five finalists in the Peace and Justice category, where submissions focused specifically on the challenge of "accessible and quality solutions" for forcibly displaced communities. 

In collaboration with Shared Studios and a network of international legal experts, our team submitted a project proposal for the 'Innovation for Peace and Justice' award titled PeaceTech On-Demand Services (PODS) for Refugees. Through PODS, we will deliver world-class legal services and technology skills training to refugees in Kenya and Jordan via SMS and online platforms as well as virtual studios located inside refugee camps.

We believe peacetech has the power to drastically improve the level of agency that refugees employ in securing safe homes, seeking asylum, and navigating complex legal systems. The Global Maker Challenge award will help us put this belief into action. As we proceed to the final stage we look forward to sharing our idea for technology that provides equitable, dignified, and assistive solutions for refugees and displaced persons around the world to a diverse panel of expert judges in a set of virtual pitches.

To learn more about the Global Prosperity Initiative, or our selection as a Finalist for the Global Maker Challenge, click here. And stay tuned for updates on our website and social media!

This week, we welcome a new partner in our effort to help combat COVID-19 - Assi El Hallani, a Lebanese singer whose melodic and expressive voice inspires millions in the Middle East and around the world. From the onset of COVID-19, El Hallani has worked to raise awareness around the virus and its impact. Today, we are proud and grateful that he is furthering our efforts with the World Health Organization (WHO) to keep communities informed. El Hallani''s message reaches a captive social media audience of over 10 million and reiterates the importance of implementing prevention techniques to help reduce the rates of infection.  

El Hallani notes that "COVID-19 is a real threat to our communities. But there has been a lack of response to the coronavirus by certain governments in the Middle East." He explains how he has joined PeaceTech Lab "to use the remarkable influence of social media to help highlight that we all need to do our part to contribute to ending this Coronavirus crisis, soon".   

Despite the fact that some nations are nearing recovery from COVID-19, a large number of communities continue to suffer from the pandemic. And with misinformation continuing to disseminate more quickly than this disease, we know that each of us can take important precautions and share accurate information to keep our communities safe. 

This peacebuilding campaign remains integral to that effort. As shown in our video, Dr. Mirta Roses Periago - one of the six Special Envoys on COVID-19 appointed by the WHO Director General - says these simple actions are some of the greatest protection methods:

Staying home. Keeping social distance. Washing hands frequently and thoroughly. Practicing proper hygiene.

It is up to us, citizens of this world, to protect our communities from the pandemic. For more information and ways to make a difference visit: www.peacetechlab.org/coronavirusassielhallani.

Dear Emily,
 

25 years ago when I began my work in conflict zones, places like Bosnia and Burundi were in the grips of ethnic violence, fueled by the technologies of the day. 

To counter the violence, we had to innovate like crazy -- giving video cameras to rival gang members in South African townships to open dialogue, forming joint reporting teams of Hutus and Tutsis in the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide, using the fax machine to get out critical news during the siege of Sarajevo, and creating TV with a multi-ethnic cast in Macedonia.

And yet, the potential for technology to promote peace and save lives was nothing then, compared to what we have now -- social media capturing human sentiment, cell phones and tweets connecting us in real-time with events on the ground, data analytics making possible the "holy grail" of early warning to prevent violence. 

In 2011 five visionaries -- Richard Solomon, Vint Cerf, Irwin Jacobs, Pat Mitchell and Charles Vest -- saw peacetech's potential, and said  "How can we direct the world's technology resources, expertise, and creativity to save lives?" Their effort led to a first-of-its-kind Lab dedicated to the development and deployment of technologies for peacebuilding -- and the reason I'm seeking your help today. 

In a year when so much has felt at the mercy of forces beyond our control, I hope you can take a few minutes today to reacquaint yourself with the work of the PeaceTech Lab, and help us to grow it with your support.

In these pages you will see how, in the hands of courageous and innovative PeaceTech Lab staff and partners, tech is being used to advance racial justice, mitigate the effects of COVID-19, advocate for children and underserved communities, and establish a cleaner, fairer planet. 

We are living at a time -- the first time in human history -- when everyone has the power of peacetech. Now that's something to share about!

-Sheldon

Sheldon Himelfarb
CEO and President, PeaceTech Lab
 

Dear Emily,

After experiencing war firsthand in 2013, I knew I had to do something. That's when I became interested in peacebuilding. Hi, my name is Achol and I am from South Sudan, the youngest nation in the world. I have been with the Lab for 3 years managing hate speech projects and training peacebuilders.

However, whenever hopelessness tries to creep in, I remember an important lesson I learned from other peacebuilders working in difficult settings: human beings are strong, and we are all peacebuilders at heart. This lesson reassures me that we will make it through the COVID-19 pandemic, in the same way I survived the 2013 conflict in South Sudan.

As peacebuilders at heart, please contribute to preventing violence in more places, just as we have been doing with our lexicons of hate speech terms in South Sudan. Any amount counts, no matter how large or small. And thanks to a group of generous donors, your gift will be matched dollar for dollar between now and Friday-- now is the best possible time to give!
 
We are all in this together,
 

Achol

Specialist, PeaceTech Lab

We rely on the media to understand key issues and remain grounded to our essence of supporting peace through tech. It''s part of why we are working to prevent violence against journalists around the world and why we advocate for the media as a catalyst for social change. 

This week, we are bringing you three important conversations about peacebuilding. These discussions are relevant to our work, and reveal how technology can make a real difference during these challenging times.

How Will the Coronavirus Reshape Democracy and Governance Globally?
Frances Z. Brown, Sasika Brechenmacher,  Thomas Carothers | Carnegie Endowment 

These scholars explore a question that might be on all of our minds -- to what extent, if at all, is the pandemic leading to better leadership from governments and more participation from citizens? Through nuanced analysis, and with the opinions of several experts, this article explores the complexity of governance during and after COVID-19.

Why Skim: This organized report offers analysis of key issues and trends in global governance that give insight into the effects of the pandemic on peace. Skimming through this document can expose us to the many ways governments are reacting to COVID. Data and accurate reporting can be used to measure the merit of these trends or assumptions about peace. 

How we are taking this on: Because we saw the need to understand how the pandemic will affect global governance, in February, we started tracking government response, violence, and conflict across the globe.  We are compiling data that can show how COVID-19 is reshaping our world -- and you can help by contributing to our tracker today.

Yes, we can meet online. But can we negotiate peace there?
Juan Diaz-Prinz | USIP 

An expert mediator outlines what should be considered when deciding if peace can be negotiated online. His comments assess how trust can be built, meaningful conversations facilitated, and how safe spaces can be designed in the digital world.

Why Read: Diaz-Prinz uncovers the concerns that peacebuilders have about the use of digital tools to achieve peace. He identifies areas of improvement that can be addressed by those on the 'other side of the bridge'-- tech experts. With technology as a facilitator, peace through digital means is possible. 

How We are Taking this On: In the past, our PeaceTech Exchanges have facilitated in-person training in 19+ countries to empower local communities on how to use low-cost, easy-to-use technology to tackle social and political problems. Today, we are virtualizing this program so that we can share our resources with a wider audience and coalesce around strategies to combat COVID-19.

COVID-19''s Unequal Impact on Global Development Professionals
Emma Smith, Vince Chadwick | Devex 

Peacebuilders around the world are concerned about the longevity of their organizations as in-person programs are suspended and funding is reallocated. Smith and Chadwick get to the bottom of this concern by identifying where in the world peacebuilders are most uncertain and what factors might cause that uncertainty. 

Why Discuss: Program insecurity seems to be a broad issue that is felt by many peacebuilders. Take into consideration our 'skim' and 'read' picks -- how do governance and democracy affect uncertainty in this age? How can digital meeting softwares and communications (tech!) help peacebuilders?

How we are taking this on: By maintaining meaningful discussions with our on-the-ground partners around the world, we are staying attuned to the changing needs and priorities of peacebuilders. We are working alongside local organizations and tech companies to counter misinformation and hate-speech that threatens peace and development everywhere. 

Let us know what you think! How did your discussion go? Email us your thoughts on any one of these articles or respond to our call on Twitter, we might showcase your insights in our next newsletter!

Last week, we joined numerous international organizations, advocacy groups, and nonprofits to commemorate World Humanitarian Day - a day to honor the heroes assisting families, communities, and individuals upended by crisis.

We know that crisis and conflict have manifested in numerous ways this year. Travesties against refugees and minorities, environmental challenges, systemic injustice and violence are just some of the global issues that continue to spark dialogue and debate. In this plight, it is important to keep hope and draw inspiration from the countless leaders who are countering racism, advocating for equality, and working to rebuild their communities. 

Many of these leaders are also "digital humanitarians" who use technology to optimize their efforts. They utilize social media to organize and advocate for social change, engage in virtual activity to prevent misinformation, provide input on maps and data sets, and fund disaster relief. 

You can be part of a growing network of Digital Humanitarians-JOIN US!

• Want to explore the output of collaborative digital humanitarianism? Check out our country-specific hate speech lexicons, which are made possible through the insights of local partners in each region. 
• Interested in helping advance our COVID-19 Violence Tracker? Provide data to map the virus-related violence that continues to affect first responders, minorities, and ethnic communities. 
• Intent on helping us achieve the dream of more peacetech in more places, including our own backyard? Spread word of the Lab's "Double Your Impact" campaign and help us reach our funding goal of $50,000 to put towards our "Road to Equal Justice" initiative, which will use media, tech, and data to accelerate and amplify efforts for racial justice and peacebuilding across the U.S. 

Some might believe that humanitarianism is just the work of first responders, wealthy donors, volunteers, and development experts. But digital humanitarianism proves that with technology, innovation, and goodwill, each of us can play a pivotal role in building peace and community. As we continue our work at the Lab, we continue to celebrate the vital role YOU have played in supporting humanitarian efforts around the world.

Today, with communities across the United States taking a stand against the systemic racism that resulted in the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and countless others, we stand ready to do our part. 

Utilizing the skills and expertise our team has accumulated through decades of addressing violent conflict, promoting peaceful elections, and helping communities build peace around the world, PeaceTech Lab is launching its first US-based series: the Road to Equal Justice.  

The Road to Equal Justice will bring tools and training to at least 16 cities across the country, providing activists, policymakers, and influencers with the tech, media, and data skills to advance and launch projects focused on criminal justice, housing reform, economic equity, and voter access. 

Every donation brings us closer to realizing the dream of more peacetech in more places, including our own backyard. With your help, we can play an important role in supporting anti-racism and social justice:

Dear PeaceTech Friend, 

This last Saturday, we had the honor of commemorating World Refugee Day together with our partner, legendary singer-songwriter and global humanitarian Ricardo Montaner. Montaner urged nearly 20 million of his followers to help raise awareness about some of the challenges faced by refugees during COVID-19, and to support PeaceTech Lab's efforts to help reduce the spread of the pandemic in refugee camps.

World Refugee Day has since passed, but our commitment to helping refugee communities persists.  Over 26.9 million refugees and 79.5 million displaced persons remain the most affected by COVID-19. In many refugee camps, spaces intended for 1,000 people are crowded with more than 6,000. Food shortages have led to an epidemic of malnutrition. Healthcare is hindered by a lack of basic sanitation and medical supplies. And many communities have the equivalent of just 1.4 doctors per 10,000 people.

We know how critical refugees are in working towards peace around the world. Through innovations in media and technology, refugees are instrumental in combating COVID-19. They are heroes on the frontlines and leaders in striving to support neighbors, address misinformation, and keep communities informed of proper safety guidelines. 

PeaceTech Lab and Ricardo Montaner remain dedicated partners with refugees. Through our investment in using media, technology, and data for positive social change, we aim to create a more peaceful and inclusive world, one that prioritizes the security of its most vulnerable populations.  

We are committed to providing essential supplies to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Every single dollar is critical in providing drinking water, face-masks, and sanitation supplies to refugee communities in order to reduce the pandemic. You too can be part of this mission by making a donation. 
 

Thank You,
 

Sheldon Himelfarb, PhD
CEO & President 

We proudly present the inaugural ceremony of the International Peace Honors to recognize the humanitarian work of Dr. Anthony Fauci, Opal Tometi, Amazonian Chief Raoni Metuktire, Vint Cerf, and Ricky Martin. 

As much of our world endures natural, political and social upheaval, we are also witnessing unparalleled movements of change, as leaders from many disciplines work to advance humanity and our planet. The International Peace Honors (IPH), created by PeaceTech Lab, will recognize some of the most outstanding global leaders and change-agents of our time.

The event will be virtually hosted on Sunday, December 6, at 8 pm EST./ 5 pm PT.

As we continue to commemorate International Day of Peace, declared by the United Nations as a day to strengthen the ideals of peace, and whose motto this year is "Shaping Peace Together," the announcement of the first honorees of the International Peace Honors serves as a reminder that we are global citizens and what happens in one part of the world can affect people everywhere.

This year''s honorees, two of which are recognized on TIME''s 2020 list of the 100 Most Influential People, are exceptional representatives of the current fight against global events that have threatened racial justice, economic prosperity, the conservation of nature, and our collective health and safety. Among the honorees is the Director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Anthony Fauci. As a specialist in immunology, Dr. Fauci has had an impeccable career as a pioneer in the fight against HIV and other public health crises, advising every U.S. President since 1984, and becoming a highly respected world leader during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As an internationally lauded human rights champion and one of the three women co-founders of the Black Lives Matter movement, Opal Tometi will also be recognized. Respected for her thought leadership on race, immigration, and gender, Tometi has received an honorary Ph.D., spent nearly a decade serving as the first woman Executive Director of the Black Alliance for Just Immigration, and founded Diaspora Rising, a digital digest focused on Black narratives and experiences around the globe. After nearly two decades of tireless advocacy for human rights, Tometi still feels her work has only just begun.

Chief Raoni Metuktire, leader of the Kayap? people, who inhabit a protected reserve in the Amazon region of Brazil, is another award recipient. Chief Raoni has become one of the most powerful environmental voices in the world through his diligent commitment to preserve the Amazon rainforest and protect indigenous cultures. His message echoes greater than ever today, in part due to increased visibility through documentaries, narrative films, and tours with great personalities such as the singer Sting, all in pursuit of raising awareness around and protecting indigenous peoples and their environments. He epitomizes PeaceTech Lab's unrelenting focus on local solutions.

Also on the list of personalities who make a difference in the world is legendary American technologist Vint Cerf, known as one of the fathers of the Internet. A visionary computer scientist and philanthropist, Cerf has dedicated himself to advancing the Web as a tool to serve humanity and increasing Internet accessibility throughout the world. He is a tireless and admired fighter for progress on issues like the digital divide, the online gender gap, and internet safety, always advocating for an ethical and socially impactful use of technology and science.

Lastly, is the international superstar Ricky Martin, a singer, songwriter, philanthropist, and activist, who is also the Founder and President of the Ricky Martin Foundation. Over the past two decades, Martin has been a leading force in the fight against human trafficking and is recognized for protecting children and vulnerable communities, as well as upholding human rights.

We cordially invite you to join this virtual program, which will broadcast through various social media platforms, reaching a global audience of approximately 100 million people.

Stay tuned for more details as we will be soon releasing the official website and announcing the host, performers, presenters, and special guests of the International Peace Honors.
 

For sponsorship opportunities:
samantha@peacetechlab.org
For general inquiries:
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COVID-19 remains a global challenge, giving rise to a range of health and human security concerns - misinformation fueled attacks, conflict over resources, domestic violence during lockdowns, and surges in racism and xenophobia. 

We stand committed to doing our part. A few weeks ago, we informed you of our COVID-19 Violence Tracker, an analytical tool for peacebuilders, NGOs, and governments to monitor and understand patterns of violence as a result of the pandemic. With immense support from our network of volunteers, including Hogan Lovells, Mapbox, and Vizonomy, we are evolving this work to ensure the Tracker is autonomous, analytical, comprehensive, and eventually predictive. As we capture more data and develop more insights, our hope is that people everywhere will feel empowered in their capacity to build peace during these uncertain times.

Our Tracker presents important steps towards a more peaceful world, but our vision requires your support. Here is how you can help us:

• We need your diverse input: Support us by contributing articles, blogs, and analysis to our tracker here. 

• We are building a grassroots network of donors: Every dollar you give helps us expand our programming and expedites our path to peace. Donate here.

• There is strength in our humanity: Ask your friends and family to sign up for the newsletter. Invite them to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

As global institutions, governments, and companies attempt to address fears of COVID-19 resurgence, misinformation and the infomedic continue to plague communities across the globe. 

The focus of our response to the ''infodemic'' has been equipping communities and peacebuilders with tools to navigate the growing sea of disinformation, hate speech, and misinformation. We are building resilience against misinformation by partnering with communities and investing in media literacy through the COVID-19 Violence & Conflict Tracker and Hate Speech Lexicon.

This week, we have partnered with the National Association for Media Literacy (NAMLE) and the Center for Information and Media Literacy (CIMI) to bring you an expert-led discussion on scaling Media Literacy effort and responding to the infodemic. 

Tomorrow, June 30th, join directors from PeaceTech Lab, CIMI, and NAMLE from 10:00-11:30 AM (EST), as they explain why Media Literacy is the response to misinformation and explain how to build Media Literacy to a global scale.