Nonviolent Peaceforce

Nonviolent Peaceforce is a global non-profit organization. We protect civilians in violent conflicts through unarmed strategies. We build peace side by side with local communities. We advocate for the wider adoption of these approaches to safeguard human lives and dignity.

We envision a worldwide culture of peace in which conflicts within and between communities and count

Goal One: Acceleration of the application of unarmed civilian protection to reach more people threatened by violence.

Goal Two: Innovation of the practice of unarmed civilian protection to respond to emerging trends and threats.

Goal Three: Consolidation of our organisational capacity to serve as the foundation for acceleration and innovation efforts.

We have deployed the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) across the organization. The IDI is a theory-based, cross-cultural assessment of intercultural competence that provides an increased insight into challenges and critical outcomes of intercultural contact. The instrument is inherently developmental as it focuses on increasing intercultural competence of individuals and groups from how they currently engage cultural differences to how they can more effectively engage diversity.

In the past year, the pandemic has exacerbated and revealed inequalities around the world. On top of this, the last year has presented uncharted climate disaster for civilians around the globe--from floods in South Sudan, to food and resource scarcity, to dangerously high temperatures. We have become more aware of how climate disruption generates new conflict and aggravates old ones. In parallel, the pandemic has shown us that we can reduce our emissions by meeting via Zoom or connecting digitally. In line with our mission to reduce violence we have pledged to make our operations more climate friendly. In our strategic plan we have committed to mainstreaming a climate disruption, digital technology, and intersectionality lens in operations, fundraising, HR, and project development. Global reckonings with white supremacy and racial justice have further informed the way we understand conflict and the work we do around it. We have undergone organizational processes and commitments to examine power and privilege within the organization and continue to increase leadership of those within the Global South. Externally, we have began a U.S. program. Grounded in the strengths and needs of local community partners, NP is building relationships with community members, leaders, and organizations in the Minnesota, New York City, and Portland, OR to identify gaps and approach safety and security from a holistic perspective. Our work is informed by understanding what communities need to feel safe and secure—to feel affirmed and a sense of belonging— which includes and goes beyond physical safety. Our work so far has included providing protest safety, creating a safety ambassador program, and training unarmed school security.