By Catherine Defontaine
Mel Duncan and David Hartsough developed Nonviolent Peaceforce at the 1999 Hague Appeal for Peace and the project came to fruition in 2002 during a convening event in Surajkund, India. Nonviolent Peaceforce is a Non-Governmental Organization that promotes the concept of unarmed civilian peacekeeping, fosters dialogue among parties in conflict and provides a protective presence for civilians in conflict areas. Nonviolent Peaceforce is currently present in Sri Lanka, the Philippines, South Sudan, South Caucasus and just completed its project in Guatemala.
Rolf Carriere is currently Senior Adviser (pro bono) to Nonviolent Peaceforce. Prior to that, he worked from 1971 till 2005 with FAO, UNICEF and World Bank, mostly in Asia. His last postings were as UNICEF Country Representative in Bhutan, Burma, Bangladesh and Indonesia. In 2005 he served as the first Executive Director of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition.
Mel Duncan is co-founder and Executive Director of Nonviolent Peaceforce. He currently serves as Director of Special Project at Nonviolent Peaceforce. Prior to the creation of Nonviolent Peaceforce, Mr. Duncan founded and directed Minnesota Jobs With Peace, Advocating Change Together and the Minnesota Alliance for Progressive Action. Mr. Duncan honors and awards include the PeaceSeeker Award from the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship and the Pfeffer International Peace Prize from the Fellowship of Reconciliation.
Part 1
Mel Duncan and Rolf Carriere describe the history of Nonviolent Peaceforce and its activities. They explain the concept of unarmed civilian peacekeeping which is the core doctrine of Nonviolent Peaceforce.
Part 2
Rolf Carriere and Mel Duncan reflect on today's use of force to resolve situations of conflicts. They argue for the use of nonviolent means to overcome conflicts and work on reversing this widespread belief among governments and international organizations that conflicts can only be stopped by force and threat.
