I just left a comment on a posting on human security and early warning – and now see a bit more about what you’re doing. As a coincidence, I’m a Tufts graduate of 40 years ago, in physics and international relations (such as the latter was possible for undergrads in those days), and former staffer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (where Kofi Annan began his tertiary studies a decade prior to my tenure) and the UN.

If you’re not familiar with
http://dkms.resiliencesystem.net/
the site, or the people involved in it, might be of interest to you.

Regards,

Dave Hastings

I’m a journalist based in Srinagar, the capital of Indian-ruled Kashmir, with 10 years of experience in the field. At the moment I
report for India’s leading news magazine, Outlook from Kashmir.

I also worked for about six years as Country Coordinator for Berne, Switzerland-based Swiss Peace Foundation’s Early Warning programme,
FAST, (www.swisspeace.org) from July 2002-March 2008.

I’ve learned that you’ve a great expertise on Early Warning. Let me tell you that Kashmir is a goldmine of news, as it’s divided between
India and Pakistan and is ridden by an anti-India insurgency since
1989 which has consumed about 100,000 people so far. Former US
President Bill Clinton once famously described Kashmir as “the most
dangerous place on the earth.”

In August this year, half a million people took to streets of Kashmir
to demand independence from India. At least 60 people were killed and
more than 1000 injured in police firing.

With so much happening around, don’t you think it would be a good idea
to work on Kashmir conflict as well.

Since Swiss Peace’s FAST programme was closed early this year, may I request you kindly inform me about the leading organisations working on the Early Warning.

Waiting to hear from you

Showkat Ahmed

Srinagar, Kashmir