© Photo by Giulia Bordin at Tent of Nations, 2022

With more than 7 years of experience in advocacy at European and international level, Giulia Bordin currently holds the position of Advocacy Officer at Pax Christi International in Brussels. She has an academic background in human rights, international relations and political science, and has dedicated 15 years to volunteering, supporting initiatives for peace, justice and equality.

Looking back on my first year as Advocacy Officer at Pax Christi International, I feel deeply grateful for having the opportunity to serve such an inspiring movement. Its historical legacy of reconciliation, nonviolence, and Justice serves as a compass for everything we do, it is a daily reminder of the responsibility and privilege of contributing to such an important mission. This past year, I have witnessed a renewed energy throughout the movement. At a time when the world is facing growing issues, this determination is essential. Now, more than ever, we need to come together, act in solidarity, and focus our efforts to make Just Peace a reality.

The ongoing and escalating violence in the Middle East, with a genocide unfolding in front of our eyes in the occupied Palestinian territories, has made our mission even clearer. It underscores the urgent need for efficient, coordinated action. The immense suffering and its global impact demand that Just Peace become central to every decision-making process, as Peace in the Holy Land could serve as a cornerstone for humanity’s future.

This crisis highlights the interconnectedness of global challenges: the arms trade, resource exploitation, failed peace accords, criminalisation of NGOs and human rights defenders, and widespread violations of human rights all stem from the same system. To achieve Just Peace, we must adopt a holistic approach and address the root causes of conflict. Human rights violations in one region have a ripple effect globally, and we all play a part in sustaining these systems. Acknowledging our interconnectedness requires each of us to reflect on both external forces and our own contributions to these issues.

In 2024 Pax Christi International has tackled a range of urgent global concerns, including advocating against land exploitation and defending Indigenous rights in Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and Pacific regions. We also addressed humanitarian crises and severe human rights violations in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where conflict and resource exploitation fuel cycles of violence and inequality. In the Philippines, we emphasised the need for an inclusive peace roundtable to ensure no one is left behind. In Colombia, we focused on supporting peace initiatives and fostering dialogue among all parties. Meanwhile, the alarming rise in violence in Haiti has highlighted the need for greater international engagement. We have also urged the European Union and UN Member States to adopt a more peaceful, nonviolent approach in their policies, raising awareness of the dangers posed by increasing funding for violent defence mechanisms, such as nuclear weapons and AI in warfare.

All of this has been possible thanks to locally led advocacy efforts, the testimony of direct witnesses on the ground, the good practices and concrete examples of nonviolence and peacebuilding, and the collaborative work with sections of Pax Christi International, International Representatives, partners, and other organisations. These collective efforts ensure our responses are grounded in reality and amplify the voices of those most affected.

Together, we do not only underline the issues, but we also provide proof that what we believe it can actually be achieved. A special mention should be made of the inspiring work with the sections of the Pax Christi International movement. The variety of resources and knowledge, the passion, dedication, and creativity of members around the world never fail to inspire me. From grassroots projects that promote reconciliation to interfaith dialogues and advocacy at international levels, every contribution strengthens what we can achieve together. I am especially inspired by how we have started aligning our advocacy efforts to ensure our collective voice has the greatest impact globally.

As the saying goes, “teamwork makes the dream work”. That has been so clear to me during my first year at Pax Christi International. The trust, collaboration, mutual listening and understanding of the whole movement have been key to everything we have achieved. The need of fast response, consistent presence and coherent contribution, requires a team that can interact quickly with awareness and understanding, and I am very grateful that the International Secretariat has increasingly seen this harmonious interaction coming together.

Together, we can turn hope into action and ideals into lasting change. This collaborative effort will remain essential as we face the challenges of today and tomorrow. I have learned this past year that we must carry forward our mission with a sense of hope, not just for ourselves but for the children of today and future generations. They deserve a world where Peace is not an aspiration but a lived reality, and we owe it to them to continue striving toward that goal with unity and purpose.

Pax Christi International’s mission has never been more urgent, nor the opportunity to achieve it more real. With the passion and dedication of this incredible movement, I am confident we will continue to make a difference for Peace and Justice worldwide.

“Those who remain silent are responsible.”

– Edith Stein, Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross

 

By Giulia Bordin, Pax Christi International Advocacy Officer for Pax Scotia, the newsletter of Pax Christi Scotland.