Remembering Marla, 11 Years later
It’s been 11 years on Saturday since we lost Marla, our founder and, still, pole star for the Center for Civilians in Conflict.
Protection, Peacekeeping, and the Individualization of War
On December 3-4 2015, the European University Institute and the Global Policy Initiative of Columbia University convened a workshop of around thirty scholars, practitioners, and high-level UN officials to discuss “Protection, Peacekeeping, and the Individualization of War.” CIVIC was invited to share its experiences and perspectives on the “Micro-level Dilemmas of Protection in Peacekeeping.”
In Remembrance of Our Founder
When Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) was founded as Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict in 2003, it was as a one-woman mission to get recognition for the victims of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Marla Ruzicka believed that the US government should not walk away from the unintended victims of their military…
Floor Statement from Sarah Holewinski at panel hosted by the Government of Norway
Sarah Holewinski presenting on Thursday, May 23, 10.30 AM It is an honor to present to this audience today on protection of civilians. My sincere thanks to the Government of Norway for grappling with this issue across years and continents, and to the organizing team led by Hilde Salvesen. My organization—Center for Civilians in Conflict—works…
What civilian casualties? Afghan forces’ implausible denials
By Trevor Keck In January, Afghan forces shot grenades and bullets at a remote village in Nangarhar province, in eastern Afghanistan. One civilian died, and villagers rushed six other injured residents to the hospital in Jalalabad. Nasir saw it all happen. He then had to beg $11,000 from friends and relatives to cover medical care…
Honoring Marla Ruzicka: One individual who changed war for many
Seven years ago, the world lost a passionate advocate for civilians caught in the crossfire. Today, CIVIC will have a moment of silence in remembrance of our founder Marla Ruzicka and her Iraqi colleague Faiz Ali Salim. We’ll pause our work at 2 PM EST, and we invite you to do the same. Marla’s life…
Post-Conflict Potter
At last, the long war against Voldemort and his army of Death Eaters has been brought to a responsible end. A short time ago, just a small band of brave witches and wizards at Hogwarts School stood between the dark forces and their ascension to power. Now their evil leader is dead, his armies are…
GUEST BLOG: Marla, CIVIC, and the idea that wouldn’t die
By Catherine Philp Nine years ago in the bright Kabul spring, I met a young woman called Marla Ruzicka. She was hard to miss, with her wild blonde hair and animal pyjamas peeking out from the hem of her long kameez. She was harder still to miss the morning she marched to the gates of…
Faith Complex: Sarah Holewinski on Innocent Victims in Conflict
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G—HJwiyzQ