NP and its Member Organizations (MOs)

Member Organisations form the backbone of Nonviolent Peaceforce’s structure and support, they can organise regionally, but all together they join globally Nonviolent Peaceforce and offer support in at least one of a number of ways. The aim is to build on all the existing initiatives and expertise, to build a large scale unarmed peaceforce that maintains connections and roots in communities across the world.

NP welcomes applications for membership from nongovernmental Civil Society Organisations that fulfil the Membership Criteria.

The criteria is that the organisations see themselves as mutual partners, with NP and with each other, in the local, regional and international movement and practice of unarmed nonviolent civilian peacekeeping. They have to be civil society organizations (CSOs) however constituted or organised, of international or national scope or, in large nations, of at least regional scope, that have committed themselves to regular and substantial work in support of NP’s mission, while upholding its nonpartisanship.

The specific qualifications to be a Member Organisation include:

• a strong commitment to the Mission Statement

• willingness to abide by IGC decisions regarding NP-related activities

• experience in nonviolence, peacemaking and/or peacekeeping in its own practice

• respect and credibility in its area of work or expertise

• work with and on behalf of NP, including its regional networks, through the organization’s own capacities (locally or internationally). This may include:

  • recruitment and/or assessment of potential international field team members

  • training

  • publicity

  • fundraising

  • representation of NP to their country’s government and/or international institutions and/or networking with NGOs

  • assistance with analysis and evaluation of conflicts in their geographical area, including assistance with exploratory missions

  • contributing expertise through active participation in NP working groups, contact groups, task forces, and NP regional activities

  • local and regional unarmed civilian peacekeeping in their role as part of NP’s network,

  • where relevant, partnering with international NP in deployment activities

Member Organizations have different expertise, sizes, and financial resources, and few will engage in every function listed. However, as Membership carries governance privileges and responsibilities, it also carries the requirement of substantial work.

The major governance privileges of a Member Organization include:

• Election of IGC members

• Amendment of bylaws

• Approval of long-term organizational plan

• Receipt of regular reports and evaluations of all levels of NP’s work

• Participation in Membership meetings (International Assembly)

In view of these responsibilities any application for membership involves the Regional Coordinator (NP has Regional Coordinators across the world who encourage local initiatives, develop networks of support and keep in touch with all the Member Organisations), and is reviewed by the Strategy Committee of the IGC, and finally approved by the whole IGC.

Currently Nonviolent Peaceforce has over 60 Member Organisations from across the world.

Below there is one example from each continent.

In Africa:

NOVASC, Nonviolent Action and Strategies for Social Change, works primarily in Zimbabwe and in contact and exchange with Africa and global partners. The main objectives for the organization are as follows:

• Strengthen organizations that represent people who need changes to happen, so that they have the skills to make those changes happen without violence, for example by negotiations;

• Build a national network of mediators drawn from many relevant sectors of society;

• Share experiences and dilemmas of dealing with conflicts, disputes, negotiations, deadlocks, and the use of violence, so as to contribute to a national dialogue towards tolerance and dynamic peace;

• Contribute to policy formulation and governance practice in relation to social dialogue, negotiations and national process.

They have been supporting NP by enabling one of their members to be on the International Governing Council, and offer help with fundraising contacts and building a network in Africa.

In Asia

Swaraj Peeth is a non-profit institution, established in 1992 in India, working to build the capacity of civil society to resolve conflicts without violence. It strives to inspire unity where division prevails through a program of education in Mahatma Gandhi’s vision (based on his first text, HindSwaraj), training in nonviolent conflict resolution, and the direct intervention of Shanti Sena teams in conflict situations. The Shanti Sena is a network of community-based, civilian peacekeeping teams that apply nonviolent methods of conflict resolution to prevent violence. Since 2005, one-hundred seventy one men and women of all backgrounds have joined the Shanti Sena and sixty-five have been trained to face conflict situations. Swaraj Peeth’s work is driven by the conviction that when communities unite in common purpose and transcend partisan interests, there is no limit to what progress they can achieve.

They have been supporting Nonviolent Peaceforce by hosting the International Convening Event, supporting the Sri Lanka project, and the regional coordination work.

In Latin America

Grupo de Apoyo Mutuo, in Guatemala, whose mission is to give to technical and professional support to the local organizations of the GAM network, in the promotion and defense of human rights, as well as to contribute to the fight against impunity, to the search of compensation & dignity for the victims of human rights violations and their families.

In Europe

The Centro Studi Difesa Civile (CDSC) contributes to the development of social research on peace and security issues in Italy. CSDC mission is the spreading of constructive conflict management tools to overcome intra and inter state tensions. CSDC operates in the fields of research and training to promote collaborations at a national and international level.

CSDC is involved in publications, research, and training and supports NP by translating documents into Italian, fundraising and policy development.

In the Middle East

• MEND - Middle East Nonviolence and Democracy

Established in 1998, Middle East Nonviolence and Democracy (MEND) is a dynamic Palestinian institution addressing issues related to nonviolence and democracy through a variety of projects focused primarily on training and utilizing innovative media techniques. MEND’s priority is to work to create a more democratic and nonviolent climate for all Palestinians and to contribute to peace in the whole area.

MEND is interested in introducing and developing innovative tools for individuals to deal with many of the difficulties that confront them whether in the work place, the larger political arena, or in family life.

• MEND’s Mission:

  • Promoting the principles and practice of nonviolence through training and awareness building.

  • Promoting the principles and practice of democracy within Palestinian society by working to empower underprivileged groups and to increase their civic participation.

International Organization

• International Peace Bureau (IPB)

The IPB is the world’s oldest and most comprehensive international peace federation, bringing together people working for peace in many different sectors: not only pacifists but also women’s, youth, labor, religious and professional bodies.

IPB’s role is to support peace and disarmament initiatives taken by the UN, by governments, and especially by citizens. IPB devotes its main resources to informing and servicing grassroots peace campaigns, and creating international projects. In addition, it acts as publishing house, conference organizer, and Geneva logistical support for visiting NGOs.

Its main programs focus on disarmament and peace education. Other current priorities of IPB include nuclear weapons abolition, conflict prevention and resolution, human rights, international humanitarian law, women and peace, and peace education.

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