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Frequently asked Questions:
WEB SITE CONTENT
 Q1: Why don’t you include Peacekeeping / War Organizations in your database?
Q2: How can you include [Organization XYZ ] in this list?  
       It is documented that [they have used violent tactics.]
Q3: There are a number of great web sites that list Peace Organizations.
        How is this web site different?
Q4:  Is your web site just for adults?
Q5: Your site just seems to duplicate other sites. 
       What’s your value added?
Q6: Why don’t you include more Legal / Law Organizations?  
Q7: There are many non English speaking Organizations. 
        Why is this site is only in English?
Q8: There is an inordinate number of Organizations from the United States.  Why?  
Q9: Do Peace Organizations risk the lives of their personnel? 
Q10: Why are you doing this?
Q11: I really dislike having you consider [fill in a name] as a Peace Organization.  
        What can I do about it?
Q12: Why does this web site focus on collaboration and Teamwork?
 
WEB SITE OPERATIONS Q1: You use the term Virtual Editor. What does that mean?
Q2: I am not a computer whiz.  Can I still help?
Q3: Who decides what content is in and what’s out?
Q4: How do you resolve differences in opinion on who is to be included? 
       How do you decide what is to be included about a particular Peace Organization?
Q5:  Who running this site?   How is it funded?  
Q6:  What’s the political agenda of the Web Site?
Q7:  Are there instructions on how to use this site?
Q8:  How do I report Problems / Bugs in this web site?

 

WEB SITE CONTENT

Q1: Why don’t you include Peacekeeping / War Organizations in your database?

A1: Peacekeeping Organizations are acknowledged in many ways, for example:
  • By the financial support they receive from general taxes on societies
  • By the national holidays that many countries have to honor those who served in the Military Service of their country
  • By national monuments and statues erected to honor our military organizations
The find a Peacemaker database / web site extends honor and respect to organizations that devote their services to individuals, families, communities, and nation-states to assure peace, freedom, and democracy[1] by using effective constructive conflict management and nonviolent methods of "winning."
 
Someday, we will be able to see that a vibrant "Peace Industry" assists and complements the "Defense Industry." The more conflicts we can manage constructively and prevent from escalating to physical violence, the fewer casualties we will have in our Military Services.   Peacemakers and Peacekeepers are on the same team – just playing different positions.
Q2: How can you include [Organization XYZ] in this list?   It is documented that [they have used violent strategies]. (insert any name and an inappropriate action of that organization)

A2: The database contains information about real organizations that function within complex societies, deal with real people, in a variety of conflict situations.   No organization is perfect, but generally we can identify their constructive programs and services - even though all Peace Organizations don't get things right all the time. Our goal is to examine the Mission, Goals, and Objectives of these organizations and focus on those actions that are exemplary -  actions that can be considered as constructive - actions that assist people in reaching their potential.

Generally global media does an outstanding job of informing us of the many ways humans can be violent to others - so we don't need to go there.  We have reason to be optimistic because we do learn from history - from the experiences of others. 
  • By noting the negative actions of certain organizations, we can avoid behavior that hurts ourselves and others.
  • By focusing on the actions that have been demonstrated to be constructive, we can identify organizations that function nonviolently, do less harm to others and our earth, and provide opportunities for people to reach their human potential.

Q3: There are a number of great web sites that list Peace Organizations. How is this web site different?

A3: Our focus is Peacemaking as "system" - as an industry.   We encourage you to visit other web sites that acknowledge / honor law enforcement, armed forces, covert intelligence, and other types of Peacekeeping Organizations - see Links to Other Peace related Sites.   There is significant overlap and duplication in many of these sites, but there are also significant differences.

There are many different interpretations / definitions of a Peace Organization.   We have chosen to focus on those Peace Organizations who can help teach us more about constructive conflict management, peacemaking, restorative justice, and conflict transformation.  These organizations have recognized injustice (i.e. ongoing violence) is often a root cause of physical violence, have become motivated to oppose it, and seek justice using the concepts of nonviolence. 

Adding a new organization to the list is not an exact science – our Advisory Board helps make the decision and all decisions by the Board are not final.   We welcome your explanation of why a particular organization person should be included.              

Actually it is quite easy for an organization to be included – because most organizations have policies and procedures that oppose "violence in the workplace."  We are looking for their experiences and lessons learned.

Q4:  Is your web site just for adults?

A4: No.  Our goal is to identify Peace Organizations that will inspire and provide resources for people of all ages (cultures, gender, etc.)  

Our goal is to eventually provide a youth version of the web site.  The youth version would have a “youth-friendly” appearance, and include more humor, fun, games and exercises.

Q5:  Your site just seems to duplicate other sites that provide links to Peace Organizations.  What’s your value added?

A5:  Our goal is to acknowledge and characterize Peace Organizations as they function within a "system" - the Peace Industry. 
 
We attempt to add value by categorizing these organizations and thereby:
1) identify the resources provided by the organization
2) identify the appropriate organization to use in a specific conflict situation
3) illustrate commonality in purpose for future collaboration and networking
4) identify organizations that are setting quality standards
5) identify organizations that are encouraging collaboration and networking.

Q6: Why don’t you include more Legal / Law Organizations?

A6: The legal system is already well organized, standardized, documented, and working together as a justice system.   Many of these traditional "law" organizations are extending their role to include ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution, Appropriate Dispute Resolution) and as a result are included in this database.    Traditional Justice systems are beginning to adapt the concepts of restorative justice and are therefore included in this database.

Q7: There are many non-English language Peace Organizations.  Why is this site only in English?

A:  English is just a starting point for this experimental project.  If this web site proves to be a useful product and serves to help others learn more about exemplary human beings, then we agree that the site should be extended to other languages/cultures.

Q8: There seems to be an inordinate number of Peace Organizations from the United States?  Why?

A8:  Again this is just a starting point for an experimental collaborative web project.   We agree the site should include Peace Organizations from each of the over 200 countries around the world, if it proves to be useful.  Hopefully the web site has been designed to enable others (who are English speaking) identify Peace Organizations from their own country/culture.    Hopefully we can later extend the site to other languages (see Q7)

Q9:  Do Peace Organizations risk the lives of their staff?

A9: Risking life is not a goal of Peacemaking; however Peacemaking Organizations may become so focused on their mission they are not thinking of the safety of their personnel. Safety standards are needed for the Peace Industry.  

Peacekeeping Organizations have missions to save and protect people from imminent danger (police, fire fighters, military peacekeepers, war witnesses, medical personnel, etc.).  As a result, their lives are often placed in precarious situations. 

Q10: Why are you doing this? 

A10: Because we are able.  Peacemaking Organizations have a tremendous potential to bring about positive change.   Peacemaking Organizations can assist in providing the opportunity for every human to grow and reach their potential - individually and collectively.   We cannot even imagine the possibilities ahead if we choose to live and work together, respecting and retaining our diversity and learning from each other.  Are we capable of building a world a world beyond war? - There is no question that we can.   The question is "Will we choose to do so?"

Q11: I really dislike having you consider [fill in a name] as a Peacemaking Organization.   What can I do about it?

A11:   We expect people to disagree on Peace & Justice Organizations.  We respect individual freedom and the right to form personal opinions.   By respecting diversity, we can learn from each other.   So if you disagree about an organization being listed in this database, please provide your rationale by contacting us… 

Q12: Why does this web site focus on collaboration and Teamwork?

A12: As an analogy, sports teach us a number of things that are directly related to Peacemaking [2]
  • Competition can be a good thing - it provides motivation for the human spirit
    • to excel
    • to strive toward one's potential
    • to do more than thought possible
      [imagine if there were competing Middle East Peace Programs - each pre-qualified and known to be capable of succeeding]
  • To excel, athletes practice – learn to focus – train – exercise their abilities prepare mentally and physically
    [imagine Peacemaking Teams practicing & training in World Class facilities in every country]
  • Coaches can be helpful
    [imagine professional Peacemaking coaches/mentors who are constantly reviewing old "game films", developing new strategies, motivating, and advising Peacemaking Team members]
  • Team work and collaboration are important aspects of success
    [imagine Peacemaking Teams made up of various specialists - fact finders, analysts, intervention planners, restorative justice specialists, counselors, mediators, etc.   Imagine a paradigm where Peacemakers and Peacekeepers function as a Team and work together]

    As an observation, history documents amazing accomplishments by people working together.  Building pyramids, developing social infrastructures, forming civil governments, traveling to the moon, eradicating small pox, .....    

    Working together to reduce violence and provide opportunities for people to reach their potential (individually and collectively) is not only possible but it is our new frontier. 


WEB SITE OPERATION

Q1. You use the term "Virtual Editor." What does that mean?

A1:  A "Virtual Editor" is a person who contributes as an editor without physically visiting our office – someone who communicates their information via the internet, fax, phone, E-mail, snail mail, etc.   It is not necessary for the Editorial Team or Advisory Board to be in the same country, the same city, the same building, the same room. By using technology, the Virtual Editors and Advisory Board can be in different physical locations but still communicate and collaborate as a Virtual Team.

Q2. I am not a computer whiz.  Can I still help?

A2: Certainly. The fact that you have read this far indicates you are interested.   Although typing directly into the online forms is the most efficient method of getting the information accurately into this electronic database, you can also convey your information via other methods.
  • You can send information via E-mail (address to: info@findapeacemaker.org ) – include your information in the body of your Email or attach a separate file attached to the Email message.
As you can see, we need many more “Virtual Editors” – particular those skilled in analyzing and categorizing an organization based on it published information .
   
Q3:  Who decides what’s in and what’s out?

A3:  The find a Peacemaker.org Advisory Board.   Currently we are using the Board of Directors of the sponsoring organization (Conflict Management Support) as the find a Peacemaker.org Advisory Board. 

Q4: How do you resolve differences in opinion on who is to be included and what is to be included about a particular organization?

A4:  We have attempted to provide general “guidelines” for our definition of a Peace & Justice organization.  The Advisory Board uses these “guidelines” to decide who and what is appropriate to add to the database.  We focus on those aspects of the organization that demonstrates the principles of nonviolence and constructive conflict management.    The Board relies on the input and recommendations of the “Virtual Editors” in forming a consensus.   In the event a consensus can not be reached, a majority vote will be used with a brief description of the dissenting opinion(s).   

Q5:  Who running this site?   How is it funded? 

A5: The find a Peacemaker.org web site was developed using the resources of Conflict Management Support (CMS), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation based in Centennial, Colorado, USA.   The Staff and Board of Directors of CMS are all volunteers.  Corporate and personal contributions were used to acquire web site development software and hardware.  The information contained in the database is the collaborative effort of a growing number of volunteer “Virtual Editors.” 
 

Q6:  What’s the political agenda of the Web Site?

A6:  find a Peacemaker.org is not affiliated with any political, religious or business organization.   The “Agenda” is simple:  Support those organizations that are working in the field of nonviolent constructive conflict management – peacemaking.  

As we learn to develop effective alternatives to military force, we will be able to accomplish constructive goals, reduce the loss of life in our armed forces, (police, peacekeepers, etc.) and reduce the loss of life in civilian populations.  That’s a Win-Win-Win outcome.  Peace & Justice organizations contribute to building a world without war using nonviolence and conflict transformation.
Q7:  Are there instructions on how to use this site?

A7:  Help instructions have been added to the forms used by the "Virtual Editors"   To access the information, just click on the "?" in the left column of the form.

Q8:  How do I report Problems / Bugs in this web site?

A8:  Go to the Contact Us Page and fill out the form OR send Email to info@findapeacemaker.org
 
 Compiled by

Milt Hetrick, find a Peacemaker.org,  Project Manager
Footnotes:
1)  Democracy implies a social context that includes appropriate respect for and consideration of each individual – therefore it provides an environment that allows (even encourages) people to learn and grow.  A democracy affords the opportunity for humans to grow to their potential (good or bad).  Social contracts, laws, etc. are superimposed on the Democratic society to focus that growth into nonviolent and proactively peaceful endeavors.

2) Using Sports as an analogy for Peacemaking has it's limitations because some (certainly not all) sports are exercises in violence.  If we define violence as "any action that prevents another human being from reaching their potential" we find that most sports are designed to be nonviolent (if you play by the rules).   For example, Track and Field events allow people to compete and demonstrate their best effort.   International football/soccer is designed to be nonviolent - rules prohibit preventing another player from shooting on goal. You can make the shot more difficult by getting in the way, or by deflecting/blocking the ball after the shot. You can take the ball away from another player, but not tackle/touch the player-just the ball. In contrast, American/Canadian football, and hockey are games where the rules allow (and even encourage) one player to take another player out of the action - to prevent them from even participating in the game by blocking/checking the opponent.

Boxing is a violent sport because the objective is to get in more damaging blows than your opponent or to deliver such a commanding blow to the head so the opponent's brain is damaged sufficiently to render him / her unconsciousness.   The objective of the sport is to hurt the opponent usually in irreparable ways.  This is an obvious form of violence since intentional brain damage prevents the opponent from reaching their potential as a human being. 

3) With time we will learn how Peacemaking and Peacekeeping are synergistic – how one protects the other.  For example, today many people fear the establishment of a U.S. "Department of Peace" because they believe it will "weaken" the "Department of Defense."  This is an unfounded myth based on a lack of understanding of the many facets of peacemaking.  If a country had a strong Department of Peace staffed with highly trained personnel similar to the Department of Defense, many conflicts could be prevented from escalating to violence.  As a result, fewer military peacekeepers would have to die, and there would be fewer civilian casualties.  

The cost of military resolution of conflict is significant.   As of 4/7/08, the number of U.S/U.K. coalition military lives lost in the Iraq war exceeds 4,320 according to CNN sources.  At least 29,628 U.S. troops have been wounded in action, according to the Pentagon.   The ratio of civilian deaths to military deaths is about 10 to 1.  The battlefield is confusing and includes heavily populated areas, the number of documented Iraq civilian lives lost is estimated to be between 82,693 and 90,219.   Friends and family members of innocent victims are then easily recruited as "insurgents"