Alternatives to Violence Course
Search the course:
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Resources
    • Beginners Guide
    • Curriculum Syllabus
    • Glossary
    • Extra
  • Sessions
    • Personal Alternatives to Violence >
      • Personal Guide
      • Session 1
      • Session 2
      • Session 3
      • Session 4
      • Session 5
      • Session 6
    • Community, National, and Global Alternatives to Violence >
      • Community, National, and Global Guide
      • Session 7
      • Session 8
      • Session 9
      • Session 10
      • Session 11
      • Session 12
  • Discussion Forum
  • Blog

What is Peace Building?

5/7/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
(Read the following short college essay by a former John Looney Intern now completing a degree in Conflict Management and Environmental Science.)

PEACEBUILDING is a unique part of the conflict transformation process in that it can exist in various stages of conflict.  While most often utilized in areas of ongoing conflict, it can also occur in a state of relative peace as a means to continue to keep a nonviolent atmosphere.  While peacebuilding is valuable, it has strengths and weak-nesses, just like peacemaking and
peacekeeping.  It differs from the aforementioned processes because peacebuilding involves with the locals, and addresses the psychological and emotional effects of violence.  It involves an intense amount of time, energy and planning.  Often carried
out by volunteers, the long term commitment can be a big hurdle.

To me the most significant aspect about peacebuilding is that anyone can participate.  It does not require significant knowledge, money or connections.  Certain initiatives or nonviolent accompaniment, such as "Peace Brigades International", do require training, however training is accessible to anyone who desires it.  Other civilian groups are also available, religious or not;  they provide avenues of involvement in advocating peace and justice.  I have personal experience volunteering and then working with the American Friends Service Committee, a social action group founded by Quakers, committed to the
"Inherent worth and dignity in every human being."  I know how easy it is to get involved with groups like this, and how fulfilling it can be to be part of a simple peacebuilding effort.

Citizen peacebuilding reminds me of a theory I learned about in The Alternative to Violence Course.  The Hundredth Monkey effect is an idea developed in the 1970s, and written about in regards to peace by Ken Keyes Jr in his book, The Hundredth
Monkey.  It is a theory in which any idea or action (such as peace) is possible once it reaches a certain threshold of recognition.  If one person starts a nonviolent action, per say, it can catch on and have a domino effect.  At a certain point, a critical mass is reached, and the "hundredth monkey" can spark the behavior to spread to all.  It is a simple idea that translates to me as everyone can make a difference, and even I can be that "hundredth monkey" that breaks the threshold
into peace.
Submitted by Serena Hanna

John Looney Intern (2008-2009)

See Session 10 "Citizens of a Democracy Must Learn and Select from Many Ways to Get Involved" for reference to the Hundredth Monkey effect.  In the article answering the question,  What are some responsibilies of citizens in a democracy like the USA?  You can hear by pushing red sound button.  Also entire article can be downloaded,see place to push under icon.
0 Comments

    Picture

    Archives

    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    July 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013

    Categories

    All
    Background
    Careers
    Education
    Travel

    RSS Feed

Home
About us
Picture
Discussion Forum
Blog
Sessions:
Personal
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six


Community, National, Global
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve

Resources:

Beginners Guide
Curriculum Syllabus 
Glossary 
Extra

Picture
"Like Us" on Facebook, email us directly, or view Alternatives to Violence Course original videos on Youtube using the icons: