Peace Partnership International

Dear Friends,

Thank you. Thank you for your consistent support and encouragement over these years. It is because of you that Peace Partnership International formerly Peace Alliance Foundation is now a United Nations NGO forging alliances with and among government, business and civil society – partnerships that actually demonstrate a culture and practice of peace.

We live in a time of great possibility. This moment in human history is termed by Paul Hawken, author of Blessed Unrest, as the greatest social change movement humanity has ever known. There is no one leader; we all share the responsibility for creating a world that works for everyone. Our work together through Peace Partnership International is part of this social change movement.

In these times of tension, crisis, and uncertainty, we must ask ourselves, “What is emerging?” “What is it that will help us move through to a place of sustainability, well-being, and security?”

Let me tell you about our three initiatives.

First, we are establishing a National Peace Academy. Peace Partnership International is part of a consortium with the Biosophical Institute and Case Western Reserve University. Together, we have convened a process to design and establish a National Peace Academy in the United States. The next phase of the process is the NPA Stakeholder Design Summit, March 2-4, 2009, at Case, where David Cooperrider will facilitate the design process for 200-300 stakeholders, utilizing Appreciative Inquiry.

The National Peace Academy (www.nationalpeaceacademy.us) and the inclusive design process through which it is being created will reflect the principles and practices of peace. The development of the peacebuilder is the keystone, and we envision a National Peace Academy to be an interdisciplinary, academically rigorous program, graduating the next generation of peacebuilders who will bring their unique background to the corporate, nonprofit, and government workplace.

Second, we participate in the Global Alliance for Ministries and Departments of Peace, which we co-founded in 2005. The Global Alliance is a community of people and organizations in 35 countries calling for structures in government that support a culture of peace. Here in the U.S. we partner with The Peace Alliance, with its campaign for a US Department of Peace, and the Student Peace Alliance. The Global Alliance is crafting a resolution for presentation to the UN General Assembly in support of structures in government that focus on peacebuilding.

All of us are thrilled that the government of Costa Rica will host the fourth Global Alliance Summit in September 2009, when Costa Rica will announce its own Ministry of Justice and Peace, the third country to have such a ministry – the others are Solomon Islands and Nepal.

Our third initiative, Building Bridges of Peace, is dedicated to creating partnerships throughout society that demonstrate how peace is common sense and creates peace through commerce.

For example, as a non-profit organization, we strive to think and act in ways that demonstrate the value of peace through commerce and the practicality and wisdom of investing in peace. To that end, we serve as fiscal sponsor for Cascadia Peace Development Fund, a for-profit enterprise working to promote “practical peacebuilding.” Cascadia funds financially viable products and sustainable programs worldwide that promote peace, and it supports individuals and nonprofit organizations that are working to bring about peace. All revenues are invested back into funding further peace projects.

With the holiday season approaching, there are several ways you can make an investment in peace by supporting the work of Peace Partnership International:

• Make a tax deductible donation online at www.peacepartintl.org/invest, or write a check payable to Peace Partnership International and send it to us at the address below. You may designate that your donation is made in honor or in memory of someone special in your life.
• Purchase the artwork of Colin Jury at www.newmediart.com.br/. Colin is donating to Peace Partnership International all net proceeds from his work “The Fire of Love” and 15% of net proceeds from sales of his other works.
• Purchase Affirmawrap blankets from Affirmagy. Affirmawraps are “soft and comfy blankets” silk screened or woven with affirmations such as Love, Joy, Gratitude, Peace, and many more – the perfect gift for adults, for babies, for everyone! Best of all, Affirmagy returns to Peace Partnership International 20% of all sales from people referred from our site. Just go online to www.peacepartintl.org/businesspartners and click on the Affirmagy logo.

Your gift ensures our capacity to establish a National Peace Academy, continue the growth and impact of the Global Alliance, and create the partnerships that help make visible and viable a culture of peace.

Together we make a difference!

In loving cooperation and in the spirit of peace,

Dot Maver, President & CEO
Peace Partnership International
www.peacepartintl.org

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Peace Partnership International

October 28, 2008 Newsflash

Dear Friends,

Things are poppin’ at PPI!

1. Peace and Human Rights Workshop at the United Nations

Led by Peace Partnership International’s UN representative Anne Creter, the Culture of Peace Working Group of the NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns at the United Nations organized a workshop entitled “Advancing the Culture of Peace: Is Peace a Human Right?” that took place at the UN on 21 October. The workshop was part of the second annual week of Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns at the UN, which this year was dedicated to celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The workshop featured a keynote by Ambassador Hilario G. Davide, Jr., of the Philippines, a panel moderated by Peace Partnership International’s President and CEO Dot Maver, and closing remarks by Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury, Former Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the United Nations. Read Anne’s report here.

2. Peace Day 2008 at the UN: Gabriela Posada Youth Speaker

Peace Partnership International has participated in International Day of Peace activities every year since 2005. In 2008 we also supported the nomination, and eventual selection, of Gabriela Posada to speak at the UN’s International Day of Peace Youth Observance. In her speech, Gabriela encouraged youth from around the globe to become peacemakers and peacekeepers. Juan Pacheco of Barrios Unidos provides the profile of Gabriela that led to her being selected, as well as the text of her speech. Click here to read the profile and speech.

3. Colin Jury Donates Artwork to Peace Partnership International

Depth Artist Colin Jury, who has won the highest awards in printing for six- and seven-color lithography and advertising, has donated all rights to his work “Fire of Love” to Peace Partnership International and will send us all net proceeds from sales of prints. In addition he has promised to donate to us 15% of profits from the sales of his other works for the next two years. Click here to purchase “Fire of Love” and other artwork from Colin Jury!

4. Peace Partnership International’s Annual Program Report Now Available

Peace Partnership International’s latest Annual Program Report describes our activities and accomplishments over the fiscal year August 2007-July 2008 in our three strategic initiative areas: National Peace Academy, Structures in Government Advancing a Culture of Peace, and Building Bridges of Peace. Read the annual report here (PDF format).

5. Peace Caravan Finds Peace on the Silk Road

Marla Mossman travels the ancient Silk Road in search of her roots. Along the way she finds peace. She says: “People involved in the culture of peace hold notions of peace as practical and necessary. We don’t have to be a perfected deity in order to achieve a sense of enlightenment. We are already divine in the moment. That’s the kind of positive energy we should start from in our institutions. That’s what the culture of peace is about.” Marla shares her discoveries through her photography and writings at www.peacecaravan.com and www.marla.net. And Robert M. Weir beautifully tells the story of Marla’s Profile of Peace.

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This email was sent by Peace Partnership, International, a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Donations to Peace Partnership International are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Contact information:
Peace Partnership International
935 South B Street
San Mateo CA 94401, USA
Phone/Fax: 1-650-525-1297

General correspondence: info@peacepartintl.org

Peace Partnership International

Dear Friends,

Jeffrey WeisbergOne of the greatest privileges of being an active Peace Partnership International board member is to roll up our sleeves and jump into the activities of Peacebuilding. My wife and I have served on the boards of The Peace Alliance – which is our close partner in our efforts to create a Culture of Peace and also the U.S. working group associated with the Global Alliance for Ministries and Departments of Peace – as well as that of Peace Partnership International. We are also active in our local peace group, raising awareness through community outreach, networking, and sponsoring events that highlight the Peacebuilding Community.

As Peace Partnership International continues to lead in Peacebuilding efforts ranging from establishing the National Peace Academy to promoting structures in government internationally, we strive to model ways of changing the paradigm of aggressive reaction to one of deeper listening, understanding, and solution-based responses that are necessary in building bridges of peace.

One of the greatest challenges in our daily lives is how do we make the time to commit our resources of wisdom, expertise, money, and passion to "Being the Change" we want to see in this world. Having so many choices is a wonderful thing, yet we must also dig deeper in order to reach the "good stuff."

As we align our sights and efforts in the direction of Peace, I know that the results will continue to impact our lives, our communities, and the future of our world. Thank you for joining in this most exquisite opportunity in generating what is possible.

Blessings to you,

Jeffrey

Jeffrey Weisberg

Board Member and Executive Committee

National Peace Academy Update

Since the April 2008 National Peace Academy Vision Meeting in Cleveland, we have been delighted with the overwhelmingly positive response to our National Peace Academy initiative. We have made great strides in putting an infrastructure in place for the design process and have set a date for the Global Stakeholder Summit, a critical stage in the design process. And our first two National Peace Academy Founders Circle members have stepped forward with pledges of $25,000 each! Learn more!

Profile of Peace: Elise Boulding

Elise BouldingMary Lee Morrison, Founding Director of Pax Educare, Inc., offers this Profile of Peace. Both Mary Lee Morrison and Elise Boulding are on the Advisory Board for the National Peace Academy.

"Elise Boulding has been called the 'matriarch' of the twentieth century peace research movement. Boulding, sociologist emeritus from Dartmouth College, is noted for her scholarly accomplishments in three key academic areas of study – peace, women, and futures. She was in 'on the ground floor' of each of these emerging disciplines and eventually played pivotal leadership roles within each." Read the full profile here.

Business Partner: Cascadia Peace Development Fund

Cascadia Peace Development FundPeace Partnership International has signed a memorandum of understanding to serve as fiscal sponsor for Cascadia Peace Development Fund, a for-profit enterprise working to promote "practical peacebuilding." Cascadia supports a variety of peacebuilding program types. Opportunities include investment in or grants to programs impacting international relations, conflict risk areas, peacekeeping, prisons, schools, public information, and family and community health. These may involve conferences and symposia; school and university curricula; e-learning programs, documentary film and television programming; certification programs for policy professionals; research in partnership with groups such as the World Health Organization; publication of books and professional articles; audio programming; and resource center (including web) development. Read more here.

News from the Global Alliance: The Canada Campaign

Global Alliance for Ministries and Departments of PeacePeace Partnership International is a founding member of the Global Alliance for Ministries and Departments of Peace and works in strategic partnership with the Global Alliance and national campaigns around the world, including The Peace Alliance and the grassroots campaign for a U.S. Department of Peace.

We will spotlight in each issue of this newsletter one of the national campaigns associated with the Global Alliance. The spotlight this month is on the Canadian Department of Peace Initiative. Saul Arbess reports:

Campaign to Establish a Canadian Department of Peace"The Canadian Department of Peace Initiative now has the support, through its member organizations, of nearly a million Canadians from a total population of 32 million. We are approaching the critical mass we need to make a department of peace irresistible to politicians. Canada is in the midst of a federal election, and we are working hard to have our proposal become part of the national dialogue on the way forward for Canada. Our goal is to reinvigorate Canada's role as a middle power pursuing a course of conflict transformation by peaceful means working with other middle powers as a counterpoint to the influence of the great powers. As the country that first proposed UN peacekeeping and whose Prime Minister won the Nobel Peace Prize for that work, we want to build on that peacebuilding example."

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Peace Partnership International

Quoted from http://www.peacepartintl.org/email/20080715_newsflash.html:

July 15, 2008 Newsflash

Dear Friends, Much exciting news is popping up around the world marking the shift to a culture of peace, and we want to share some of it with you now rather than wait until our next full Newsletter. 1. Peace Partnership International an NGO Associated with United Nations On June 30, 2008, Peace Partnership International’s application for official status as an NGO associated with the Department of Public Information of the United Nations was approved. This association provides us, among other things, access to UN facilities (including the NGO Resource Center), briefings for NGOs (which feature UN officials, Government delegates, and other experts), and observer status at open meetings of UN bodies. Importantly, it greatly enhances our global networking capacity to further our mission of forging partnerships for a culture of peace, including the campaign for a General Assembly resolution calling for structures in government to support a culture of peace. 2. Minister for Peace in Northern Ireland! A report from the ministry for peace campaign in the United Kingdom: The campaign to establish a Minister for Peace within the Northern Ireland Executive, as a step towards a full Ministry for Peace, was launched 21 May 2008 in the Long Gallery at Stormont, the seat of the Northern Ireland Assembly. Read more… 3. Smart Security and the End of War In this article, David Korten writes: “We humans have arrived at a defining moment. We must bring ourselves into balance with one another and Earth or suffer the consequences of social and environmental collapse. It creates a unique opportunity for bold action to end war as an instrument of foreign policy, convert to a peace economy, and create a world that works for all.” Korten calls upon nations of the world to incorporate Article 9 of Japan’s constitution into their own constitution, as was called for in September 2007 at the Global Summit for Ministries and Departments of Peace in Japan. Read more… 4. The Shifting Grounds of Conflict and Peacebuilding: Stories and Lessons This new book by John W. McDonald with the assistance of Noa Zanolli “contains the professional life lessons of Ambassador McDonald and offers his insight into international issues, providing frank and informed discussion on the environment, women’s rights, the global water crisis, sustainable resources, international development, and, above all, peace. Those looking to be inspired into action should read this book to receive guidance about how one person can make all the difference toward building a lasting peace. Ambassador John W. McDonald is a lawyer, diplomat, former international civil servant, development expert, peacebuilder, and the co-founder and chairman of the Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy.” He is also a member of the Advisory Board of the National Peace Academy. Read more… 5. Costa Rica Government to Host the Next Global Summit We just received word that the Government of Costa Rica has offered to officially host the Fourth Global Summit for Ministries and Departments of Peace, which will take place in that country in September 2009. This marks the first Summit to have such official recognition from the government of a host country.

Peace Partnership International June 2008 newsletter

Peace Partnership International wrote:

Peace Partnership International June 2008 newsletter

Memo from Mike Dear Friends, Victor Hugo said, “There is only one thing stronger than all the armies of the world, and that’s a thought whose time has come.” Well, the thought whose time is now is that of “peace.” More than a thought, really. It’s a deep knowing in our hearts, minds, bodies, and souls that peace is, indeed, the answer and that a culture of peace is the way. That knowing has spawned a movement for peace that spans the globe, and Peace Partnership International is proud and excited to be taking action in partnership with business, government, and civil society to support it. This newsletter updates you on progress of some of those actions and partnerships. Our National Peace Academy initiative, with The Biosophical Institute and Case Western Reserve University, is developing a stakeholder database and informational materials in preparation for a Global Stakeholder Summit next April. The Global Alliance for Ministries and Departments of Peace has inspired actions for peace in Africa and is gearing up for its Fourth Global Summit, to be held in Sydney this year. We continue engage with the United Nations on its declared International Decade for a Culture of Peace for the Children of the World and to mentor youth for peace leadership, including support for the Student Peace Alliance in the United States. And we are proud to announce that Affirmagy is joining us as our latest Product Partner. Affirmagy is a woman-owned business in Seattle, WA, that is spreading the power of affirmations far and wide. Read on to learn about the nature of that new partnership, progress on our initiatives, and more. With gratitude and in peace, Mike Abkin, Director of Operations Peace Partnership International www.peacepartintl.org Affirmawraps from Affirmagy Affirmagy makes and sells “soft and comfy blankets” silk screened or woven “with powerful affirmations,” such as Love, Joy, Gratitude, Peace (of course!), and many more. A perfect gift for adults, for babies, for everyone! Best of all, Affirmagy returns to Peace Partnership International 20% of all sales generated by people who go to Affirmagy’s site from Peace Partnership International. Just click here, and wrap yourself in the knowledge that you are helping us support a culture of peace. News from the Global Alliance Peace Partnership International is a founding member of the Global Alliance for Ministries and Departments of Peace and works in strategic partnership with the Global Alliance and national campaigns around the world, including The Peace Alliance and the grassroots campaign for a U.S. Department of Peace. Be sure to check out the newly redesigned Global Alliance website! Fourth Global Summit in Sydney A principal activity of the Global Alliance in support of its community is sponsorship of the annual Global Summit for Ministries and Departments of Peace. The aims of the Global Summit encompass building relationships, sharing experiences, learning from one another, conducting trainings that expand the bank of knowledge and skills of the community, and raising awareness of the movement in the eyes of governments, civil society, and the general public. So far, Global Summits have been held in United Kingdom in 2005, Canada in 2006, and Japan in 2007. Peace Partnership International, together with The Peace Alliance, is sending a U.S. delegation to this year’s Summit, which is being held 17-26 September in Sydney, Australia. Click here to make a donation to support our delegation and developing-country scholars to attend this historic event in Sydney. The African Alliance for Peace Takes Shape! African delegates to the Global Summit for Ministries and Departments of Peace in Japan in September 2007 founded the African Alliance for Peace. May 2008 provided three opportunities for Peace Partnership International to assist the African Alliance for Peace to develop its capacity to grow and thrive:   First AAP Regional Summit Intensive training in nonviolent communication (NVC) Public outreach and training for the ministry for peace campaign in Nigeria.   Read reports of these activities here. From Nepal: A Model for Peace in the Middle East? Shiri Barr, from Israel, attended the First Global Summit for Ministries and Departments of Peace in London in October 2005. She has just (June 2008) completed her master’s degree program in conflict transformation at the SIT Graduate Institute in Vermont. In March 2008, Shiri presented a paper entitled “Lessons for Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations from Nepal’s New Ministry for Peace and Reconstruction” at the First International Academic Conference, Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Pathways to Peace, held at Central Connecticut State University. Read Shiri’s paper here (PDF format). National Peace Academy Update Our National Peace Academy initiative is not quite two months old yet and already the task teams set up at the April Vision Meeting in Cleveland are hard at work developing a list of stakeholders to be invited to the Global Stakeholders Summit next April, researching peace training and education programs and curricula already out there as part of a needs assessment for the National Peace Academy, and developing a case statement and other materials to support outreach and fundraising. And already several questions are being asked frequently. Questions like:   Why do we need a National Peace Academy? What are the vision and outcomes of the National Peace Academy? What is the design process all about? How does this effort relate to current legislation in Congress (HR 808) to create a U.S. Department of Peace, part of whose charge will be to establish a peace academy? Who is behind the National Peace Academy endeavor? Where can I find out more about it, get involved, donate?   Answers can be found here (PDF format). Stay tuned!! At the United Nations: Culture of Peace Program Planned for October 21 Anne Creter, Peace Partnership International’s liaison to the United Nations, reports that “the Culture of Peace Working Group of the United Nation’s NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns (CSVGC) has been diligently putting together an event to be held October 21 at UN Headquarters as part of the second annual week of Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns. Co-chairing this effort has been my focus the last few months.” Read Anne’s full report here. UN Peacekeeping Must Tackle Roots of Violence In a letter to the editor of Financial Times, 24 May 2008, Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury, Former Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the United Nations, wrote: “The people need to be empowered in a way so that individually and collectively they value tolerance, understanding, respect for diversity and non-violent ways of resolving problems…. It would be worthwhile for the Security Council to include a ‘culture-of-peace’ impact clause in each of the peacekeeping mandates.” Read more of what Ambassador Chowdhury has to say here. Youth Leadership: Student Peace Alliance Coordinating Team Retreat Student Peace Alliance came together for its Third National Coordinating Committee Retreat on Wednesday June 4th in Washington D.C. All seven members of the Committee, Student Peace Alliance’s national staff, were present at the Retreat for the first time in SPA’s history. At the Retreat, we discussed proposals and plans for the upcoming year. On Friday June 6th, the Coordinating Committee was joined by nine state organizers, bringing the retreat total to 18. Over the next two days, the attendees came to consensus on SPA’s organizational direction and bonded with their fellow activists. For the first time Student Peace Alliance has developed a national plan decided with a democratic process by youth leaders from across the country, and we feel great confidence going into our third year. Read the full report. Profiles of Peace One way to facilitate a culture of peace is to use the power of story to demonstrate what peace looks like in practice. These Profiles of Peace are intended to do just that. If you have a Profile you’d like to have us consider, please send an email to info@peacepartintl.org describing your idea, and, if it looks like a fit, we’ll ask you to write it up for possible publication here. From the Peace Registry: Face Up to Peace Face Up to Peace is a project of Alive Today Enterprises, which provides an opportunity for people from around the world to creatively share the vision of peace. Through mask making and related interaction, the organization works to support and raise awareness of efforts to create Departments of Peace (DOP) and Ministries for Peace (MFP) in governments around the world. Read more about Face Up to Peace here. Pondering Peace “Our new-found freedom should enable us to start searching for total universal human values on which a global civilization could be founded and its future secured. It is my belief that such values are hidden in our collective human experience, in our sad memories, and in our half-forgotten awareness of the universal order of being. We need to discover these values and transcend the horizons of our day-to-day existence.” –VaclavHavel Heal the Warrior, Heal the Country Edward Tick, in the Summer 2008 issue of Yes! Magazine, writes: “We cannot heal from war without involving the entire community and society, and without invoking transpersonal help. We must develop modern rituals that acknowledge the additional wounds caused by war fought for non-defense reasons. Much as we might disagree with a war, our rituals must include purification, public storytelling, and community acceptance of responsibility for what the soldier has done.” You can read the article here. Product Partners Search with GoodSearch GoodSearch is a search engine that donates 50% of its advertising revenue to the charities and schools designated by its users. You use GoodSearch exactly as you would any other search engine, and, because it’s powered by Yahoo!, you get proven search results. Just go to the GoodSearch home page, type “Peace Partnership International” in the box asking WHO DO YOU GOODSEARCH FOR?, and press the Verify button. Then, each and every one of your web searches using GoodSearch will benefit us. You can even put GoodSearch on your search toolbar in Internet Explorer, FireFox, or Mac browsers and use it without even thinking about it! Invest in the Future – Join the Partnership Peace Partnership International is undertaking the following pivotal initiatives, which are purposely focused for transformational effectiveness: (a) establish a National Peace Academy; (b) develop youth leadership potential; and (c) participate in and help grow the global movement for structures in government supporting a culture of peace, including partnership with the Global Alliance for Ministries and Departments of Peace and with colleagues at the United Nations working for a General Assembly resolution calling for such structures in government. In all that we do, we seek to forge partnerships with business, civil society, and government. You, too, can join the partnership with an investment in the future. Just click here to donate, and please consider becoming one of our monthly donors. Together we can create the foundation for a culture of peace! This email was sent by Peace Partnership, International, a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Donations to Peace Partnership International are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Contact information: Peace Partnership International 935 South B Street San Mateo CA 94401, USA Phone/Fax: 1-650-525-1297 General correspondence: info@peacepartintl.org