Terminology

Find a Peacemaker.org uses the following terminology:
 
Peace:  "is a never ending process...it is an attitude, a way of living, a way of (nonviolently) solving problems and resolving conflicts" - Oscar Aries Sanchez.

Peacemaking:  includes but is not limited to:
  • Activities that contribute to the identification of injustice and other forms of violence.
  • Activities that seek to understand the people and issues involved.
  • Activities that seek to reduce or avoid violence.
  • Activities that seek restorative justice to heal the internal spirit of those subjected to violence.
  • Activities that seek remedies, resolutions, and develop intervention programs to manage violent conflicts.
  • Activities designed to transform conflict into constructive learning experiences for all involved.

Nonviolence: Often considered to be "the lack of violence."  Actually a term used by Peacemakers such as Gandhi & Martin Luther King, Jr. to refer to a proactive constructive response to conflict that requires genuine care and concern for your opponent/oppressor.

Violence:  Any action (by another person, persons, organization, government, etc.) that prevents someone from reaching their potential as a human being (from Johan Galtung).

Violence can occur in many forms, e.g. physical, emotional, economic, structural,.....   Physical violence is considered unacceptable in most societies and addressed by their justice system.   Other forms of violence are often ignored, for example, Structural Violence by society.

Illustration 1: Adults in a given school district vote to limit the funding available to their children for education, resulting in substandard schools.  Students in this school district lack the books, supplies and teachers needed to receive an adequate education. A high percentage of students drop out of school before completing a high school level education.  Few if any have an opportunity to obtain higher education.  Depriving a child of the opportunity for an adequate education is an action that prevents them from reaching their potential as a human - as a result this is a subtle, but damaging form of violence to those children.  Providing food, shelter, and a safe environment for all children is fundamental to their growth.  Providing the opportunity for an education (and the cognitive skills needed to seek and obtain food, shelter, and safe environment) is equally important. 
As world citizens, can we ignore this structural form of violence (the lack of educational opportunities) that exists in major countries around the world? For a global perspective of this form of structural violence (expressed as the lack of literacy within a country), please click here.  

Illustration 2: Industry in a particular neighborhood is allowed to vent toxic industrial chemicals into the air at night when the plumes are not visible.  These chemicals have a know effect on human health.   The population down wind of this source of emission breath low concentrations of these chemicals - measured in parts per million - their probability for cancer and lung disease is increased.  The industry is within the "government guidelines."    Dumping materials known to be toxic into an airshed or watershed is an act of violence at the intraglobal level because it increases the probability of illness and prevents people from reaching their full potential as a human being. 

Illustration 3: A middle manager in a corporation uses his/her position power to bully and demean certain subordinates. These subordinate employees eventually begin to consider themselves inferior, lose self- confidence, become emotional shut-ins, and fail to reach their potential.   Bullying in the workplace is an act of violence at the intragroup level.

Diversity: Acknowledgement that if humans are to have freedom of thought, beliefs/religion, values, etc, then they will inevitably have a diverse range of thoughts, values, beliefs/religions, etc.  This is a good thing because we can then learn from one another and choose the best.

Tolerance:  Respect for the right of another human being to have a differing point of view. They in turn should respect your right not to agree with or adopt their point of view.

Human / Civil Rights:  Opportunities expected for every human being - the opportunity for life, liberty, education, etc. and the absence of violence (abuse, torture, ...)...

There are many expressions of these rights in various societies/cultures.  Common "Western" versions include the Magna Carta (1215), the U.S. Constitution was amended to include 10 specific "Bill of Rights." (1789)     

A globally accepted version of Human /Civil rights is called the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948). 

Similar efforts to set acceptable standards of behavior in society can be found in many different forms.  For example, an "Eastern" version is expressed as the 23 articles of Universal Islamic Declaration of Human Rights.

About Find a Peacemaker.org