| Posted: Jan. 17 2005,05:25 |
If you wrote this report, you will find a button here that you may click
in order to make changes in the report. 
|
PROGRESS: Has your organization seen
progress toward a culture of peace and nonviolence in your domain of
action and in your constituency during the first half of the Decade? |
Although
the general social climate in the Netherlands has deteriorated, NEAG
also sees some progress. We see a growth in number and quality of
efforts in the Netherlands to prevent verbal and physical violence in
schools. A trainers network for peer mediation has been set up, serving
an increasing number of schools.
Useful training has been developed,
with support of educational institutions, in order to bridge ethnic and
cultural gaps and to prevent harassment and intimidation. Mediation and
other services in neighborhoods have started up in some areas.
A
step forward can be seen in the transformation of the military
organisation for peace missions, which means also slowly increasing
gender awareness. However, this development creates also confusion
(civilian-military operations and civilian peace building efforts).
However,
a large part of the public in the Netherlands did not support the
government´ s decision to send military to Irak. The government’s
decision caused increased frustration and cynicism amongst peace
activists.
The establishment of the International Criminal Court is a positive step.
As
a consequence of incidents and fears, the need for the creation of
strategic and operational alliances for peaceful social change seems to
increase in the Netherlands.
The creation of a Dutch Platform for a
Culture of Peace as an umbrella helps to combine efforts of mostly
small peace organisations. NEAG (since 2002-2003) aimed at bridging
gaps between different social organisations (peace, development,
environment, migrants, education) and between different professions.
|
OBSTACLES: What are the most important obstacles that have prevented progress?
|
In
the Netherlands there is a huge lack of common strategy, of reflection
on lessons learned and of cohesion when it comes to fostering a culture
of peace. Cooperation between peace professionals, volunteers and
activists is scarce.
There is a lack of leadership, practical input
and resources from the side of the UN, UNESCO and, partly as a
consequence, national authorities. In the Netherlands the Decade is
practically ignored by politicians and government.
As the
nations, the people, are suffering most heavily from insecurity and
trauma due to a culture of violence, it is painful to see the lack of
interest of these official bodies for civil society’s role in the
prevention of violence and the building of peace.
Fundraising
for our work is very hard; the concept of ´culture of peace´ is often
not really understood and so it is often perceived as very
philosophical and vague.
|
ACTIONS: What actions have been
undertaken by your organization to promote a culture of peace and
nonviolence during the first half of the Decade?
|
Co-organising
an international and a national conference on conflict resolution in
schools (with the European Centre for Conflict Prevention) and local
expert organizations.
Developing a short training for people willing to address tensions in their neighborhood.
NEAG
trained several teams of observers for missions to Israel and the
Palestinian territories. Dutch peace and development organizations
cooperated with Israeli and Palestinian organizations in this project,
called United Civilians for Peace.
NEAG formed a pool of about
100 trainers and experts providing training in most aspects of
non-violent conflict resolution, inter-cultural dialogue,
peacebuilding, etc.
Promoting the Nonviolent Peaceforce (as a
member organisation) and supporting the creation of the 4rth NP mission
in Sri Lanka. As a member organisation of the European Network of Civil
Peace Services (EN-CPS) and as such a member of EPLO (European Peace
Liaison Office) NEAG works towards common promotion and lobby for
better European structures for civilian peace resources.
NEAG
sees the increased cultural diversity in the Netherlands as a
challenge. We trained several multicultural women’s groups in conflict
resolution and peacebuilding and supported their missions. NEAG
supported the creation of the Multicultural Women Peacemakers
Netherlands.
Participation in the NGO platform for the International Criminal Court.
|
ADVICE: What advice would you like to
give to the Secretary-General and the General Assembly to promote a
culture of peace and nonviolence during the second half of the Decade? |
We
would like to see the UN Secretary-General and the GA to be given the
means to increase the weight of civil society in the implementation of
de Decade and all issues related to the prevention of armed conflict.
This would mean certain structural changes but also staff and
independent funding. In 2004 – 2005 NEAG has actively participated in
creating a Dutch coalition for the Global Coalition for the Prevention
of Armed Conflict. A Global Action Agenda will be presented at the UN
in July 2005. It may be helpful if good media coverage was assured and
a follow-up plan could be funded.
|
PARTNERSHIPS: What partnerships and
networks does your organization participate in, thus strengthening the
global movement for a culture of peace? |
European Network of Civilian Peace Services (EN-CPS)
Nonviolent Peaceforce
European Centre fo Conflict Resolution
EURED
IFOR Women Peacemakers
Novib/Oxfam Netherlands
UNOY,
Many
Dutch organizations, amongst which the Platform for a Culture of Peace,
Religious society of Friends (Quakers) Netherlands.
|
PLANS: What new engagements are
planned by your organization to promote a culture of peace and
nonviolence in the second half of the Decade (2005-2010)? |
Contributing
to the development of a common strategy for a Culture of Peace in the
Netherlands.NEAG intends to support exchange between all those people
and organizations working towards social change (cultural, economics,
social, environmental, human rights, gender) in order to increase human
security and solidarity. As confusion and antagonism reigns among
different groups in the Dutch society, NEAG´s emphasis will be for the
years to come: peaceful cooperation in the Dutch multicultural society
and in the world. Together with some partners NEAG will try to
introduce in the Netherlands a special version of the Alternatives to
Violence training. This year NEAG will being out a publication on the
culture of peace and will organize a conference for the peace movement
and a seminar for a broader group in June 2005.Participation in Earth
Charter conference. We will continue to discuss with our local and
international partners the possible development of a measuring
instrument for the culture of peace.
|
Postal address of organization
|
Vossiusstraat 20
1071 AD Amsterdam
|
E-mail address of organization
|
info@neag.nl
|
Website address of organization
|
http://www.neag.nl
|
Highest priority action domain of a culture of peace
|
Education for a culture of peace
|
Second priority action domain of a culture of peace
|
International peace and security
|
Highest priority country of action (or international)
|
The Netherlands
|
Second priority country of action (or international)
|
International
|
| Back to top |
|
