The Nonviolent Peaceforce

by Nicolas Mele

The Nonviolent Peaceforce, a broad-based international civil organization, works at the invitation of and in partnership with local groups. The Peaceforce will enter conflict zones to prevent death and destruction and protect human rights, thus creating the space for local groups to seek peaceful resolution. It will train and maintain a pool of professionals with competencies in civilian peacekeeping roles and from various cultures.

In December 2002, representatives from over forty peace and nonviolence organizations met outside Delhi, India, and chose Sri Lanka as the site of the Nonviolent Peaceforce pilot project.

A local organization, People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), invited the Nonviolent Peaceforce to help facilitate the ongoing peace process there. Other Sri Lankan entities are working with the Nonviolent Peaceforce as partners, advisors and dialogue partners. Many governments and international organizations already play a significant role in the peace process. The Nonviolent Peaceforce will fill a separate need by living closely with civilians at a grass roots level as a diverse body of committed, trained international peace workers dedicated to nonviolence.

Currently, the Nonviolent Peaceforce expects its first team members to enter the field in two or three locations by early September 2003. Field presence will build gradually to 50 team members. These 50 will work in units of 3 to 5 persons each in approximately 16 sites. Nonviolent Peaceforce teams will work in conjunction with regional multi-ethnic human rights committees set up by PAFFREL. These teams will live in volatile areas in order to decrease the conflict potential.

Team members may be called upon to provide protective accompaniment to individuals, families, or organizations that are threatened while seeking nonviolent solutions to conflict. If violations of human rights are observed, team members will report them as advised by our local partners. Teams will only go where invited and will take extreme care to build relationship and trust with people who live there. The entire project should last three years, downsizing gradually in an exit strategy being developed with Sri Lankans. An external evaluator will assess the project.

For more information contact the Peaceforce by e-mail at info@nonviolentpeaceforce.org.

You can also find more information on the Nonviolent Peaceforce on the internet (www.nonviolentpeaceforce.org).

Index: Podium

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The Nonviolent Peaceforce
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