Difference between revisions of "Peace NGO Sector"
From NGO Handbook
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Peace and Conflict NGOs use a wide variety of approaches to deal with their work. Methods range from civilian monitoring and peacekeeping, early warning systems, participation in peace negotiations, addressing structural causes and consequences of armed conflict, educating for peace, and many other strategies (Gidron, 9). | Peace and Conflict NGOs use a wide variety of approaches to deal with their work. Methods range from civilian monitoring and peacekeeping, early warning systems, participation in peace negotiations, addressing structural causes and consequences of armed conflict, educating for peace, and many other strategies (Gidron, 9). | ||
| − | ==Conflict Prevention and Resolution NGOs== | + | ===Conflict Prevention and Resolution NGOs=== |
Organizations involved in this work will use a variety of methods to ameliorate or end existing conflicts and to peace build or lay the groundwork to prevent future conflict. Many grassroots, locally-based NGOs use their local connections to devise strategies unique to the situation. Organizations working on conflict resolution and peace building can be found in almost every conflict situation around the world, including Sri Lanka, the Former Yugoslavia, Aceh in Indonesia, Israel and Palestine, and many other conflicts. | Organizations involved in this work will use a variety of methods to ameliorate or end existing conflicts and to peace build or lay the groundwork to prevent future conflict. Many grassroots, locally-based NGOs use their local connections to devise strategies unique to the situation. Organizations working on conflict resolution and peace building can be found in almost every conflict situation around the world, including Sri Lanka, the Former Yugoslavia, Aceh in Indonesia, Israel and Palestine, and many other conflicts. | ||
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Some organizations will use traditional and local conflict resolution methods to deal with conflicts, which may provide a more familiar and effective negotiating space than other models imposed from the outside. For example, in pursuing negotiations between politicians from Somalia, the UN used the traditional model of the Shir – “a bottom-up, inclusive process, supported and sponsored by the community…Elders who are experienced mediators and trusted by the community are chosen [to act as mediators]”(Malan, 451). In this instance, the negotiations failed, possibly due to the choosing of politicians over community elders, as well as absence of community input (the meetings took place outside of Somalia itself) (Malan, 452). | Some organizations will use traditional and local conflict resolution methods to deal with conflicts, which may provide a more familiar and effective negotiating space than other models imposed from the outside. For example, in pursuing negotiations between politicians from Somalia, the UN used the traditional model of the Shir – “a bottom-up, inclusive process, supported and sponsored by the community…Elders who are experienced mediators and trusted by the community are chosen [to act as mediators]”(Malan, 451). In this instance, the negotiations failed, possibly due to the choosing of politicians over community elders, as well as absence of community input (the meetings took place outside of Somalia itself) (Malan, 452). | ||
| − | Often, NGOs working in these areas engage in a variety of activities not explicitly connected to peace-making but are aimed at developing rapport with communities and extending their influence and trustworthiness, as well as providing important services. An example of this can be found in the Northern Ireland NGO Community Development Centre (CDC), a Belfast NGO which engaged in such activities during a period of intense tension and violence between Catholics and Protestants. As described by author Chris O’Donnell, the CDC had been involved in community projects such as literacy, unemployment, and alcohol abuse, as well as “facilitating joint projects with groups from both traditions in order to improve understanding, tolerance and respect”(O’Donnell, 80) through programs dealing with such issues as religion-segregated housing and lack of opportunities for young people. This base in the community was important as violence erupted around Northern Ireland and families were forced to leave their homes. The CDC then acted to find displaced families temporary shelter, as well as acting as the advocate on their behalf in dealing with government agencies. In the aftermath, the CDC published a report on the violence, taking into account the perspectives of both groups, while continuing to apply pressure on the government to deal with the needs of displaced families, using media attention to keep the government working on issues. O’Donnell concludes that “during an instance of sudden civil crisis, when there is an absence of effective governmental measures for dealing with victims, a local community organization with a reputation for trustworthiness, neutrality, and community advocacy can influence policy”(O’Donnell, 89). | + | Often, NGOs working in these areas engage in a variety of activities not explicitly connected to peace-making but are aimed at developing rapport with communities and extending their influence and trustworthiness, as well as providing important services. An example of this can be found in the Northern Ireland NGO Community Development Centre (CDC), a Belfast NGO which engaged in such activities during a period of intense tension and violence between Catholics and Protestants. As described by author Chris O’Donnell, the CDC had been involved in community projects such as literacy, unemployment, and alcohol abuse, as well as “facilitating joint projects with groups from both traditions in order to improve understanding, tolerance and respect” (O’Donnell, 80) through programs dealing with such issues as religion-segregated housing and lack of opportunities for young people. This base in the community was important as violence erupted around Northern Ireland and families were forced to leave their homes. The CDC then acted to find displaced families temporary shelter, as well as acting as the advocate on their behalf in dealing with government agencies. In the aftermath, the CDC published a report on the violence, taking into account the perspectives of both groups, while continuing to apply pressure on the government to deal with the needs of displaced families, using media attention to keep the government working on issues. O’Donnell concludes that “during an instance of sudden civil crisis, when there is an absence of effective governmental measures for dealing with victims, a local community organization with a reputation for trustworthiness, neutrality, and community advocacy can influence policy” (O’Donnell, 89). |
| − | The methods employed by NGOs to bring parties together are often creative and try innovative strategies, such as the Families Forum, an organization of Israelis and Palestinians who have lost children or other family members due to the conflict. One of their projects, named “Hello Peace”, provides Israelis or Palestinians with “a special number…[once dialed,] a computer will automatically connect them to someone on ‘the other side’ who has expressed a similar willingness to | + | The methods employed by NGOs to bring parties together are often creative and try innovative strategies, such as the Families Forum, an organization of Israelis and Palestinians who have lost children or other family members due to the conflict. One of their projects, named “Hello Peace”, provides Israelis or Palestinians with “a special number…[once dialed,] a computer will automatically connect them to someone on ‘the other side’ who has expressed a similar willingness to talk" (Barnea and Shiner, 498). According to the article, the conversations often start off as arguments but quickly will turn to more personal questions, “allows both sides to view the ‘other’ as human beings rather than nameless members of an impersonal mass” (Barnea and Shiner, 499). |
| − | The negotiation of peace deals and reconciliation in the Aceh region of Indonesia was also facilitated by the work of peace and conflict resolution NGOs. Starting in 2000, the Henry Dunant Centre (HDC) brought members of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and the Indonesian government into peace negotiations. For the first time, the GAM was recognized as a legitimate negotiator and brought into internationally-brokered negotiations (Kay, 2). Strained relations between the two parties meant that the role of the negotiations was not to end the conflict entirely, but to “facilitate negotiations for a peaceful solution by promoting trust and confidence between the two groups.” | + | The negotiation of peace deals and reconciliation in the Aceh region of Indonesia was also facilitated by the work of peace and conflict resolution NGOs. Starting in 2000, the Henry Dunant Centre (HDC) brought members of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and the Indonesian government into peace negotiations. For the first time, the GAM was recognized as a legitimate negotiator and brought into internationally-brokered negotiations (Kay, 2). Strained relations between the two parties meant that the role of the negotiations was not to end the conflict entirely, but to “facilitate negotiations for a peaceful solution by promoting trust and confidence between the two groups.” Part of the agreement reached placed independent human rights observers on the ground, who would act as a reference point for complaints, as well as monitor security and investigate violations. The monitors were representatives of HDC itself, rather than from the UN or another body – “in an unusual and potentially significant way of resolving conflict, HDC [had] agreed to be directly responsible for the implementation of the agreement they assisted in creating” (Kay, 3). Talks monitored by the group Crisis Management Initiative took place in Helsinki, eventually leading to a peace agreement signed by the two parties in August of 2005, with an independent EU organization monitoring the implementation of the agreement on the ground. |
| − | In Sri Lanka, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has carried out actions relating to peace building, such as keeping displaced persons under observation to prevent further violence done to them, acting as an intermediary between the government and the rebel Tamil Tiger army (LTTE), and conveying confidential messages between the two parties. In Neelan Tiruchelvam’s study of the ICRC and other NGOs working in Sri Lanka, he pointed out that “the international community has been permitted to intervene on the issues relating to humanitarian relief, displacement, human rights, and reconstruction…[but] has not, however, been encouraged to help facilitate political contacts between the LTTE and the government or address issues relating to a durable political solution”(Tiruchelvam, 162). This can be contrasted to the large role of international mediators and institutions in brokering a peace deal in Aceh, Indonesia. | + | In Sri Lanka, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has carried out actions relating to peace building, such as keeping displaced persons under observation to prevent further violence done to them, acting as an intermediary between the government and the rebel Tamil Tiger army (LTTE), and conveying confidential messages between the two parties. In Neelan Tiruchelvam’s study of the ICRC and other NGOs working in Sri Lanka, he pointed out that “the international community has been permitted to intervene on the issues relating to humanitarian relief, displacement, human rights, and reconstruction…[but] has not, however, been encouraged to help facilitate political contacts between the LTTE and the government or address issues relating to a durable political solution” (Tiruchelvam, 162). This can be contrasted to the large role of international mediators and institutions in brokering a peace deal in Aceh, Indonesia. |
==Anti-War NGOs== | ==Anti-War NGOs== | ||
Revision as of 10:56, 5 August 2008
Contents
Introduction
Peace and conflict resolution NGOs are non-governmental organizations which work in areas “relating to the reduction and elimination of destructive conflict,” or in another definition “promote peace, reconciliation, and coexistence” (Gidron, 3). Organizations under this broad category use a variety of approaches and methodologies to work on international, intra-state, or local conflicts.
Like the larger NGO world, organizations working on peace and conflict resolution issues are a heterogeneous group, varying widely in size, approach, and commitments. Peace and conflict resolution NGOs often draw upon common activist strategies–-ranging from petitions, letter writing, direct action and civil disobedience to diplomatic talks, treaties, and policy recommendations, as well as education, media coverage, and raising awareness in the general public--to further their work. Many organizations use a combination of these methods.
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