Global Work

 

 

INSTITUTE FOR PEACEBUILDING

An Initiative of Pathways To Peace


ÒBuilding peace within ourselves and in our world is the most important thing we can doÓ.


Never before has it been so essential to provide the foundation and tools for building peace in our world today as a basis for a healthy democracy. Conflict and violence undermine the very core of a healthy society. Building the foundation for a culture of peace requires essential life skills that are not provided in the school system or in our communities. The Institute for Peacebuilding (IPB) offers an array of programs and initiatives by two very skilled and experienced cross-cultural Peacebuilders.

Mission
The mission of the Institute for PeaceBuilding is fourfold: 1) To research and facilitate nonviolent solutions to domestic and international conflict, 2) To provide an understanding and experience of conflict resolution tools in schools and communities through resources, curriculum, teacher training, assemblies, community courses and parent training, 3) To mentor, consult and advise individuals and organizations in peaceful resolution of conflict, and 4) To collaborate with other organizations, including the UN, in programs, writing, and teaching to further the field of conflict resolution.

1) Education
A) Courses and Tele-Courses: IPB offers a wide range of courses for Universities, Community and Private Colleges, and the public, and is developing tele-courses.

B) School Assemblies: IPB offers assemblies to provide a captivating, innovative approach to instilling valuable peace tools and practices for schools. Assemblies include music, drumming, interactive role-plays, and a range of practical tools.

C) Teacher Training: These workshops offer practical skills useable in the classroom and on the playground for dealing with conflict and creating a harmonious classroom.

D) Curriculum Development: IPB is developing curriculum for the appropriate age level, and ways to incorporate it into different course material.


2)    Community Workshops/Training

IPB offers a range of structured, experiential trainings, ranging from 3 hours to multiple days. The goal is to provide practical peacebuilding tools and skills in an experiential and innovative forum that will have applicability in participantÕs lives.


3)    Training for Women

IPB offers training geared for women, including communication, conflict resolution, leadership and other skills to encourage womenÕs voices to be heard.


4)  International Conflict Resolution/Mediation

Our multi-cultural background and wide diversity of skills enables us to effectively offer mediation and conflict resolution internationally, building a foundation for peace.


5)    Organizational Peacebuilding Support

IPB offers consulting to organizations to resolve conflict, enhance communication and build effective teams, as well as build a foundation of trust and respect.


6)    Mentoring

IPB mentors youth in peace leadership skills through training and coaching, particularly focusing on ways to empower girls into leadership.

7)    Publishing on Peacebuilding Tools and Stories

IPB has published several books, articles, and guides for teachers, including ÒEssential Tools for Peaceful LivingÓ, a guide for educators, leaders, practitioners and parents. (www.kimweichel.org/media)


8)    United Nations (UN) Initiatives, Programs and Education

IPB is engaged in UN reform initiatives, providing advocacy, education, media outreach on UN issues, and training to advance UN principles. IPB Director is the UN Correspondent for cable TV program, UNICEF speaker/educator, and UNASF president.


9)  International conferences

IPB is asked to speak and lead trainings at international conferences, including United Nations, peacebuilding, and conferences focusing on women.


Institute Co-Founders and Co-Directors Masankho Banda and Kimberly Weichel have done peacebuilding work in Africa, Europe, the former Soviet Union, United States and with the United Nations. They are educators, social pioneers, trainers and authors. Their passion is to instill a new generation of peacebuilders, and to build the foundation for a culture of peace.


Masankho was awarded the Unsung Hero of Compassion Award by the Dalai Lama for his global Peace and justice work. A native of Malawi, Masankho uses his talents as a dancer, storyteller and healer to encourage cross-cultural understanding. Kimberly has directed many international projects with the United Nations and other international agencies, including five years working for change in South Africa under apartheid, and five years fostering citizen diplomacy with Russia. She is a cross-cultural and conflict resolution trainer, author, and is the UN and Global Affairs Correspondent for the cable TV show, Positive Spin.


IPB is an initiative of Pathways To Peace, www.pathwaystopeace.org. (see below).

For further information, visit www.kimweichel.org/institute.htm or contact Kimberly at kim@kimweichel.org, or Masankho at mbanda@ucandanc.org.

 

Pathways To Peace               

Pathways To Peace, PTP, an international peace building, educational and consulting organization, has been at the forefront of Peace building innovation and leadership since 1983.

The mission of PTP is threefold:                                                                                                

¥ To expand the understanding, awareness and expression of "PEACE"                                     

¥ To build Cultures of Peace through education, consulting, mentoring and enhancing the strengths of existing organizations along eight paths to peace                                                   

¥ To contribute to the evolving mission of the United Nations and to citizens' worldwide participation of the International Day of Peace.

Current projects include:                                                                                                      

¥ "WE THE PEOPLE'S Initiative", a network of over 200 multicultural peace building organizations around the world that are working to make peace a practical reality. PTP is the international secretariat.                                                                                                           

¥ The International Day of Peace, September 21, provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date. Established in 1981 by a United Nations Resolution, it is used annually to highlight the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World 2001-2010.                             

¥ A mentoring program to provide young people with peace leadership skills. For more details, please see www.pathwaystopeace.org


United Nations Association

Kim is President of the United Nations Association in San Francisco and Marin County. Both chapters host public programs about the UN, work on projects in schools to bring global awareness to children at an early age, such as a UN essay contest and assemblies, do media outreach through Op Ed articles and cable TV shows, and organize advocacy work.

The United Nations Association of the United States is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that supports the work of the United Nations and encourages active participation in the most important social and economic issues facing the world today. As the nation's largest grassroots foreign policy organization and the leading center of policy research on the U.N. and global issues, UNA-USA offers Americans the opportunity to connect with issues confronted by the U.N., from global health and human rights to the spread of democracy, equitable development, and international justice. Through our work, we educate Americans about the work of the United Nations and encourage public support for strong U.S. leadership in the United Nations.

Today there are more than 20,000 members spread among 175 local chapters in 43 states. UNA-USA is comprised of a number of affiliated organizations, including the Business Council of the United Nations, which promotes greater cooperation between the United Nations and the business community; the Council of Organizations, a program of affiliation for national organizations supporting the work of the UNA; and Adopt-A-Minefield, which helps the United Nations' effort to resolve the global landmine crisis by raising funds for mine clearance and survivor assistance.


International Experience

Kim's international expertise includes extensive experience in Russia, Southern Africa, the Pacific Rim region, Germany, Canada, and Australia.

In Russia, from 1986-1996, Kim directed a large-scale business-training program in 6 cities, led citizen diplomacy trips and conducted cross-cultural training through an organization called the Center for Citizen Initiatives. She also produced video training films for Americans and Russians. She has been to Russia seven times.

In South Africa, from 1975-1980, Kim conducted and published research on the living and working conditions of African and Coloured (mixed race) workers under apartheid, participated in team projects designing low-income housing and community facilities, directed a program that facilitated a more open and integrated society, and led training in conflict resolution. Her book, Inside Crossroads, published by McGraw-Hill, documented the situation of a large squatter community on the outskirts of Cape Town.

Kim has been awarded two fellowships to Europe by the European Commission for her work in European regional cooperation, and lived in Germany for a year as an exchange student. She has traveled and worked on projects in the Pacific Rim region, including two years in Sydney, Australia. She co-edited a book called "The Future of the Pacific Rim", published by Praeger Publishers. Kim also lived and worked in Toronto, Canada for two years, and produced policy studies for the Canadian government on employment strategies for women and indigenous Indians. She became trained in radio and began producing radio programs for Radio Canada International.

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