“The mission of Nonviolent
Peaceforce is to promote, develop and implement unarmed civilian
peacekeeping as a tool for reducing violence and protecting civilians in
situations of violent conflict.
We envision a world in which
large-scale unarmed civilian peacekeeping using proven nonviolent strategies is
recognized as a viable alternative in preventing, addressing, and mitigating
violent conflicts worldwide. Our primary strategy for achieving this vision is
the creation of space to foster dialogue.
We most often respond to
invitations by credible local organizations committed to nonviolent solutions.
Once invited, we meet key players, including commanders from opposing sides,
local police, religious, business, and civil society leaders. We live and work
in communities within conflict zones alongside local people.
When violence erupts,
civilians under threat often contact us. They know and trust us. We have been
living among them. Visibly nonpartisan and unarmed, we arrive in NP uniforms,
with NP vehicles, letting our presence be known. We build the confidence and
safety of civilians deeply affected by conflict so they can access available
structures and mechanisms for addressing problems and grievances.
Our activities have ranged
from entering active conflict zones to remove civilians in the crossfire to
providing opposing factions a safe space to negotiate. Other activities include
serving as a communication link between warring factions, securing safe
temporary housing for civilians displaced by war, providing violence prevention
measures during elections and negotiating the return of kidnapped family
members.”
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