Seventy years ago this month, on July 27, 1953, there was a ceasefire agreement on the Korean Peninsula. However, there has never been a formal peace treaty or diplomatic relationships established, leaving the U.S., South Korea and North Korea in a formal state of war. Also in 1953, the Mennonite Vocational School in Kyung San, South Korea, was founded to educate boys orphaned by the war. More than 40 years, later, in 1995, MCC began partnerships in North Korea to offer humanitarian assistance. 

As current tensions in the East Pacific run high, the work of reconciliation and peace is crucial. Building peace on the Korean Peninsula means effective diplomacy, people-to-people engagement, a formal peace treaty to officially end the state of war, and humanitarian assistance that is not blocked by U.S. sanctions.

Take action: Urge Congress to support peace on the Korean Peninsula. 

Yujin Kim, communications associate for MCC East Coast, remembers the 70th anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement and reflects on how separation and longing are part of her family narrative, shaping her identity and motivating her to work for peace. Read Kim’s article. 

Abigail Emmanuel, a smallholder farmer in Nigeria, lives in a conflict-prone area, south of the city of Jos. Recurrent violence made it difficult for her to access the financial resources needed to expand her farm, which she depends on to support her family. Read more about the role of women farmers in times of violent conflict. 

The Biden administration recently approved a transfer of cluster bombs to Ukraine. Cluster munitions are designed to disperse indiscriminately across a wide area and often fail to explode on initial use causing devastating harm to civilians, and especially children, years after a conflict ends. 

Take action: Ask Congress to oppose the transfer of cluster bombs to Ukraine 

In this episode of Relief, development and podcast, Anthony Jeer (Khair) reflects on his visit to the U.S. Mexico border wall as a Palestinian whose home in Bethlehem in Occupied Palestine is next to a similar barrier. Listen to the podcast. 

Join MCC in taking climate action for peace! Visit ClimateActionForPeace.com for resources, stories, worship guides, advocacy tools and more. Watch the May 17 climate campaign launch webinar for rich sharing from MCC partners in Zimbabwe, Bolivia and Cambodia.  

Mennonite Creation Care Network is calling Gen Z and all those who care about them to respond to climate change with a friendly competition. 

Join MCC for a screening of “Women Will Renew,” a short film on women's empowerment and climate change by Christy Kauffman, followed by Q&A and discussion with guest speakers. Register for the Lancaster film screening. 

Join Women Cross DMZ, American Friends Service Committee, MCC and others in Washington, D.C., to call for a formal end to the Korean War on the 70th anniversary of the armistice agreement. Register for the Korea Peace Action events. 

Join this virtual conversation with authors Tony Pizarro and Charisse Kiley-Fletcher as they engage with their recently released book Inside/Out: Testimonial Journeys of Transformation. The book chronicles their stories as two siblings—one incarcerated and living on the inside, while the other is living on the outside. Register for the webinar. 

This two-day seminar presented by MCC Peace Education Coordinator Jessica Stoltzfus Buller will train pastors and church leaders to facilitate the Peaceful Practices Sunday school curriculum. Participants will learn how to expand on sessions, share stories and develop case studies. RSVP by August 14 by contacting Andrew Bodden, MCC East Coast Program Director, at apb@mcc.org.
 

Is your church or organization offering legal services to immigrants at low-cost? This 40-hour course will touch on all areas of immigration law and practice. It will provide the necessary training for individuals who wish to apply for accreditation from the U.S. Department of Justice. Early Bird registration ends July 28! Find out more about this training or email immigration@mcc.org.    

Addressing the Impact and Trauma of Migration (AITM) is a seminar for those who have experienced migration directly AND for service providers (educators, health care workers, lawyers, law enforcement) who are indirectly exposed to first-hand experiences. The goal is to promote the wellbeing of everyone by increasing awareness, addressing wounds, reducing harms and fostering healthy community integration. Learn about this training and how to register. 

Six NPJM staff attended MennoCon23 in Kansas City, Missouri, July 3-7, leading or co-leading seven seminars and helping to organize the youth and young adult climate summit. 

The two International Voluntary Exchange Program (IVEP) participants, Anthony Jeer (Khair) and Gabriela Cervantes Rodriguez wrapped up their time with NPJM on July 10. We are grateful to Anthony for sharing in more than 40 events on the situation in occupied Palestine, and to Gabriela for her research on U.S. gun sales in Mexico. We will miss you, Anthony and Gabriela!

This artwork complements the illustration of the broken Korean Peninsula. 

The shape of the Korean Peninsula is filled with fish and waves. The divided land is now a body of water. 

Water is a symbol of freedom and solidarity because there are no borders in water. The fish represent people who are moving freely without any restraint, hesitation or fear. 

The illustration incorporates the style of Minhwa, the traditional Korean folk art. Minhwa was a tool for all people, free from rank or title, to express their honest desire and good wishes for others. 

Overall, the illustration expresses my honest hope and longing for peace in the Korean Peninsula.

—Yujin Kim in Belonging in Peace