FAQ
1. What
is the Nonviolent Peaceforce?
2. Why is the Peaceforce
necessary?
3. Does Nonviolence
work?
4. How is the Nonviolent
Peaceforce unique?
5. How does the Nonviolent Peaceforce work?
6. How are Peaceforce
Field Members trained?
7. How is the Peaceforce
different from UN Peacekeepers?
8. What kinds of challenges
does the Peaceforce face?
9. How can I support
the Nonviolent Peaceforce locally?
ANSWERS
1. What is the
Nonviolent Peaceforce?
Formed at the 1999 Hague Appeal for
Peace and inaugurated in Delhi, India
in 2002, the Nonviolent Peaceforce is
a nonprofit organization dedicated to
creating an international peace army
of civilians trained in nonviolent strategies.
The Nonviolent Peaceforce responds to
requests for help anywhere in the world,
using proven methods of nonviolence to
assist human rights workers and to prevent
violence, death, chaos, and destruction.
The need is great: it’s estimated
that only 1,000 people trained in nonviolence
could have prevented the violence and
genocide that devastated Yugoslavia in
1998.
The Peaceforce represents an alternative
to massive military intervention that
many people hope for. It is a key component
in the development of a strategic, cohesive,
nonviolent response to brutality and
threats of genocidal violence.
2. Why is the
Peaceforce necessary?
In the 20th century, the international
community was unable respond in a timely
or effective manner to crises that led
to devastating armed conflicts, brutal
violence, and genocide—Kosovo and
Rwanda being two examples. Sometimes
the world chose not to respond, and sometimes
it responded after a long delay and much
deliberation with bombs and troops. Both
of these responses led to untold human
misery and destruction. The formation
of the Nonviolent Peaceforce and its
standing “peace army” is
a new and creative alternative to stop
the violence and human rights abuses
before they reach crisis levels by quickly
deploying trained, nonviolent peacemakers
to defuse areas at risk.
3. Does Nonviolence
work?
Yes. Deliberate, third party nonviolent
intervention is a historically proven
technique used successfully around the
world. In many situations it is the only
action that works. Nonviolence has changed
policies and governments, and been effective
in popular movements that confront power
and injustice, resist terror, and defend
human rights.
4. How is the
Nonviolent Peaceforce unique?
The Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) has
learned from and builds upon the work
of other groups using nonviolent techniques,
but is unique in several ways.
- NP is a truly international organization
from the top down. The Nonviolent
Peaceforce has world regional offices
and a 15-member
International Governing Council with
representatives from every continent.
- NP creates a permanent, large
scale, paid peace army.
- NP is not affiliated with a national,
religious, or political viewpoint,
which gives credibility to its neutral
stance.
- NP does not take sides in a conflict,
but instead creates the emotional
and physical space between parties
that enables
them to discuss differences and reach
their own solutions.
- NP’s field members receive
training in nonviolent, third party
intervention strategies as well as
training specific
to the people, language, and culture
of the conflict area they are sent
to.
Nobel Peace Prize winners, government
representatives, and the Dalai Lama
have endorsed the Nonviolent Peaceforce.
5. How does the
Peaceforce work?
Nonviolent Peaceforce is deployed at the invitation of local groups
in the at-risk country who are working for peaceful change or resolution.
The International Governing Council (IGC) of Nonviolent Peaceforce
determines whether there is a clear mandate for intervention. If
there is, Nonviolent Peaceforce Field Leadership team for the area-in
consultation with local groups and the IGC-tailors specific strategies
and objectives for the conflict area. Strategies could include accompanying
local peace or human rights advocates, facilitating communication
among the groups in conflict, monitoring elections or cease fires,
training locals in conflict resolution, or other strategies as appropriate.
As soon as possible, the Peaceforce will turn over their work to
local groups, since only those affected can create a lasting peace.
In 2003 Nonviolent Peaceforce began a pilot project in Sri Lanka,
a nation torn by civil war. By September 2005, 25 field team
members will be serving in four field locations. It takes
$29,900 to support one field team member for a year.
(FAQ list)
6. How are Peaceforce
Field Members trained?
Basic training is six weeks long and
includes training in local language(s),
the area’s culture, the nature
of the conflict, and ways to engage participants
peacefully. When appropriate, highly
visible participants such Nobel Peace
Prize winners, religious leaders, and
former government leaders will be recruited
as Peaceforce field members. Each field
member commits to serving two years.
Field members and their support personnel
are paid while on duty, and in the future
college scholarships and contributions
to retirement funds will be part of the
compensation package. In addition, since
the risk of death or injury is present
in nonviolent interventions, the Nonviolent
Peaceforce is currently exploring the
issue of providing death and injury benefits
to Peaceforce field members. Site deployments
will be evaluated with great care, however,
and no unnecessary risks will be taken.
In similar situations Peace Brigades
International suffered no casualties
in over 25 years. (FAQ
list) 7. How is the
Peaceforce different from UN Peacekeepers?
UN peacekeepers are not trained in nonviolence
and frequently act as an armed force
to restrain civil disorder or violence
at the request of the UN Security Council.
They are not trained to resolve underlying
tensions or conflicts. In contrast, the
Nonviolent Peaceforce is preventative,
not reactive in nature, and is comprised
of civilians trained in nonviolent techniques.
Its mission is to prevent warfare and
violence before they occur by enabling
conflicting groups to enter into a discussion
where all parties are heard and real
solutions can be found.
8. What kinds
of challenges does the Peaceforce face?
A major challenge for the Nonviolent
Peaceforce is nonalignment or nonpartisanship
in a conflict area. The Peaceforce must
tread carefully avoid being unduly influenced,
to hold to its mission, and cooperate
with other groups without compromising
its principles. Field directors will
be trained to be aware of and deal with
these complex issues, and diverse funding
sources and personnel will help prevent
alignment with power structures.
9. How can I support
the Nonviolent Peaceforce locally?
Affinity Groups are community
groups of volunteers who support the
goals of
the Nonviolent Peaceforce, promote the
growth and development of the organization,
and educate themselves and the public
about living nonviolently. Upon deployment
of Peaceforce field teams, affinity groups
support the mission and field team members.
Check the Affinity/Support
Group page to
find one near you or contact Mary
Lou Ott at mott@nonviolentpeaceforce.org for
help in starting an Affinity Group in
your area.
U.S. volunteers can assist staff
in the international office in St. Paul,
MN, or in the regional office in San
Francisco, CA. NP offices around the
world welcome volunteers. For information,
visit our website's volunteer
information page.
Donors make the work of the Nonviolent
Peaceforce possible, and play a critical
role in making it a success. Anyone who
believes in the need to promote a nonviolent
world is encouraged to contribute.
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