A Look Back at Our Growth: 2022 Year-in-Review
Along the coasts of the Hawaiian Islands, you will find clusters of hala (Pandanus tectorius); pū hala as they are known in the Hawaiian language. A family of trees, these companion groups are essential to the Indigenous landscape providing reinforcement, shade, food, medicine, fiber, and practical forms for our everyday use in balance with the natural resources of these lands. They have survived generations here—firmly rooted in place and able to withstand drought, wind, salt water intrusion, poor soil conditions, and high temperatures. Lau Hala, their leaves, are plaited by practitioners into prized mats and finely woven into hats, baskets, pillows, and ceremonial attire.
“Russia’s recent veto of the proposal to include climate change and its impacts on peace and security on The UN Security Council agenda makes the grassroots work of organizations like ICP even more critical. ICP’s multifaceted approach to peaceful climate resilience incorporates both analysis and action to address the harmful intersectional impacts of racism, colonialism, sexism, and capitalism.”
All of us at the Institute for Climate and Peace work, volunteer, and interact in harmony within our beloved community. Our team learns through each other’s gifts, lived experiences, stories, and presence. Like cultivated groves of hala trees, our Institute was created to build peaceful and climate-resilient futures for the wellbeing of all.
Dear friends, we emerged out of COVID-19 envisioning a new harvest with plenty to celebrate from our accomplishments. As we reflect back on all the work done and momentum built, let us take you on a journey through a few highlights in this year-in-review. Inside, you will find examples of how we created climate and peace education, improved critical conversations, and amplified efforts to transform policy for sustainable, thriving, cohesive communities.
“We are living amidst challenging, uncertain times. We can either run from, or we can embrace our diversity, courageously face our fears, and do something. As educators and developers of curriculum, we must see ourselves as political beings, who fight for causes larger than ourselves. We must adapt and be flexible to survive. It’s forced us to make room for multiple learning spaces – from our families, in our homes, outdoors, virtually across space and time.”
Together we completed 70 projects, worked with more than 45 partners and collaborators, and reached more than 23,000 individuals through our local, regional, and global efforts in 2022. Every dollar here is multiplied by a humble and hardworking group of young people. Our strategic strands of work are multigenerational and multidimensional just like the world around us.
On behalf of the team, thank you for your contribution this year in strengthening us. Like the hala trees, each stage in the organizational life cycle is significant. Our tremendous thanks for your support during our Institute’s rooting, growth, and expansion.
We invite you to reach out to us with questions or ideas for additional areas of exploration. This document is our first step toward the creation of a full annual report, which we aim to complete for 2023 and will live on our (new) website which is under construction. Working toward a 2023 ICP Annual Report will be our commitment to transparency, evaluating our performance, and story share toward the mission.
“I am so proud that the Institute for Climate and Peace works to advance such important and urgent work in our country and world. The leadership of the organization clearly understands the multidimensional nature of the climate crisis and the commitments, advocacy, and innovation necessary to address it.”
With enthusiasm,
Institute for Climate and Peace