NP begins work in Sudan

Ten Sudanese and five internationals began work in southern Sudan as NP peacekeepers working with local partners to prevent violence in the run-up to the referendum for secession or unity in January 2011. (For more information: http://www.nonviolentpeaceforce.org/fieldwork/all-projects/sudan-project)

Sudan Success Story

Before Nonviolent Peaceforce arrived in Sudan, tensions were high between agriculturalists and pastoralists. Both communities were prepared to engage in violent conflict over cattle raids. Two months after the deployment of the first unarmed civilian peacekeepers to Mundri, Sudan, the Nonviolent Peaceforce team facilitated a discussion in the village of Kediba between the two communities. The Paramount Chiefs and elders of the two communities agreed that the raided cattle would be returned.
As a result, the agriculturalists and pastoralists have returned to living in a state of peaceful coexistence. The success of NP's first intervention in South Sudan demonstrates that the citizens of South Sudan want peace. And they're willing to engage in non-violent methods of conflict resolution.  (For more information: http://www.nonviolentpeaceforce.org/successful-start-np-operations-south-sudan)

 
An In Depth Exploration of South Caucasus

Fighting between 1992 and 1994 resulted in 200,000 refugees in the South Caucasus. Local human rights groups have invited Nonviolent Peaceforce to explore ways to work in that region of Georgia. We're in the second phase of exploration and are engaged in deep discussion with South Caucasus' civil society. Our goal is to map out deployment of unarmed civilian peacekeeping teams.
(For more information: http://www.nonviolentpeaceforce.org/south-caucusus-depth-exploration)

Note - regarding the changing situation in Sri Lanka - you may wish to read this update here, especially for those of you who served in NPSL.
http://www.nonviolentpeaceforce.org/our-work-sri-lanka-continues

As some of you already know, NP Philippines has been invited to have an official role in the Civilian Protection Component of the Malaysia-led International Monitoring Team (CPC-IMT) for the peace process between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). This is a vital achievement in NP's acceptance and recognition. 
 

Mel Duncan to receive peaceseeker award

The Presbyterian Peace Fellowship announces that Presbyterians Bill Galvin and Mel Duncan will receive the 2009 and 2010 PeaceSeeker Awards at the Peace Breakfast on Wednesday, July 7, held in conjunction with the meeting of the 219th General Assembly of the PC (USA) in Minneapolis. These once-in-a-lifetime awards celebrate Galvin’s ministry with Conscientious Objectors to war and Duncan’s pioneering work as co-founder of the Nonviolent Peaceforce. A national community of over 3,000 Presbyterians, the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship presented its first PeaceSeeker Award in 1970 to Stated Clerk William P. Thompson for his work on behalf of Presbyterian Conscientious Objectors during the Vietnam War. (For more information: http://www.nonviolentpeaceforce.org/mel-duncan-receive-peaceseeker-award)

As always, for more information please visit  www.nonviolentpeaceforce.org Oscar Arias Sánchez, (the former President of Costa Rica, and a Nobel Peace Laureate) wrote the following in support of NP

"I believe that your initiative has the potential to contribute in a meaningful way to the construction of a more peaceful world"

With the support of you, and many others, NP continues to provide critical assistance in conflict situations. Though you may not hear from NP often, please know that you are of vital importance should any situation arise where we have to get the word out quickly!

Thank you on behalf of NP.
Jan

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Jan Passion: International Human Resources Systems Manager
Nonviolent Peaceforce

2230 Lisa Lane Pleasant Hill, CA 94523-3951
Phone: +1 925-687-2555  Mobile: +1 925-588-1324  JPassion@NVPF.Org     www.NVPF.org    Skype: JanPassion