Difference between revisions of "Peace NGO Sector"
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Civil society organizations have a long history of working for peace and resolving disputes, with organizations like the South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR) tracing their history back to 1929 (Gidron, 9). Some of the oldest organizations of the NGO movement - the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) (founded 1864), the American Friends Service Committee and the Save the Children Fund (both founded 1917) – are still in operation today. | Civil society organizations have a long history of working for peace and resolving disputes, with organizations like the South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR) tracing their history back to 1929 (Gidron, 9). Some of the oldest organizations of the NGO movement - the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) (founded 1864), the American Friends Service Committee and the Save the Children Fund (both founded 1917) – are still in operation today. | ||
| − | Early NGOs often focused on reconstruction and service-oriented work, with explicit policies aimed at keeping a position of ‘neutrality’ and non-intervention in politics (Fitzduff, 4). Their work was “dedicated to addressing the consequences of war on its victims”(Fitzduff, 4), but did not engage with political or structural issues. | + | Early NGOs often focused on reconstruction and service-oriented work, with explicit policies aimed at keeping a position of ‘neutrality’ and non-intervention in politics (Fitzduff, 4). Their work was “dedicated to addressing the consequences of war on its victims” (Fitzduff, 4), but did not engage with political or structural issues. |
After World War II, a new generation of NGOs such as the YMCA, CARE, and the Salvation Army “encompassed the globe in dealing with aid, war relief, and postwar reconstruction. The majority of these organizations were also service-oriented and avoided involvement in the politics of the regions in which they worked, as they perceived their work as distinct from the politics of the conflict”(Fitzduff, 4). | After World War II, a new generation of NGOs such as the YMCA, CARE, and the Salvation Army “encompassed the globe in dealing with aid, war relief, and postwar reconstruction. The majority of these organizations were also service-oriented and avoided involvement in the politics of the regions in which they worked, as they perceived their work as distinct from the politics of the conflict”(Fitzduff, 4). | ||
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Starting in the 1960s and 70s, these organizations began to involve themselves more explicitly in policy and political questions, with influential organizations in conflict areas like Northern Ireland and Palestine coming into existence around the 1970s. (Fitzduff, 4) This period saw the emergence of major international NGOs like Amnesty International which “became active and vocal critics of states and multilateral organizations and their positions on war and conflict”(Fitzduff, 5). The organization Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), founded in 1971, “chose to step away from the classical Red Cross approach of a ‘silent neutrality’ and sought to put the interest of victims ahead of sovereignty considerations.” Through their process of “temoignage,” or testimony, MSF workers link their humanitarian work with speaking out against human rights violations, drawing attention to the political roots of humanitarian crises, and highlighting local and international responsibility. The shift of NGOs to more explicitly political campaigning can be attributed partly to the growth of pro-democracy movements which overthrew authoritarian governments in several countries around the globe during that period. | Starting in the 1960s and 70s, these organizations began to involve themselves more explicitly in policy and political questions, with influential organizations in conflict areas like Northern Ireland and Palestine coming into existence around the 1970s. (Fitzduff, 4) This period saw the emergence of major international NGOs like Amnesty International which “became active and vocal critics of states and multilateral organizations and their positions on war and conflict”(Fitzduff, 5). The organization Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), founded in 1971, “chose to step away from the classical Red Cross approach of a ‘silent neutrality’ and sought to put the interest of victims ahead of sovereignty considerations.” Through their process of “temoignage,” or testimony, MSF workers link their humanitarian work with speaking out against human rights violations, drawing attention to the political roots of humanitarian crises, and highlighting local and international responsibility. The shift of NGOs to more explicitly political campaigning can be attributed partly to the growth of pro-democracy movements which overthrew authoritarian governments in several countries around the globe during that period. | ||
| − | The post-Cold War period saw a shift from inter-state conflicts to intra-state conflicts. Between the end of the Cold War and 2004, there were 118 major armed conflicts in 80 different locations, the majority of which were civil wars. The NGO movement proliferated during this period, becoming increasingly involved in active peace building work in many conflict situations around the world (Fitzduff, 8). | + | The post-Cold War period saw a shift from inter-state conflicts to intra-state conflicts. Between the end of the Cold War and 2004, there were 118 major armed conflicts in 80 different locations, the majority of which were civil wars. The NGO movement proliferated during this period, becoming increasingly involved in active peace building work in many conflict situations around the world (Fitzduff, 8). |
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==Methods and Approaches== | ==Methods and Approaches== | ||
Revision as of 09:43, 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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