Deadline:
As soon as possible
Location(s)
Worldwide
Overview
The volunteers of Peace Brigades International (PBI) come from many different countries and backgrounds. What these volunteers share is a strong commitment to nonviolence and a belief in the contribution that ordinary people can make to creating a more peaceful and just world.
Details
When there is a conflict within a state or between communities or nations, certain actions are possible and appropriate for outsiders - others are not. A PBI team seeks to encourage, by means of an international, nonviolent, non partisan presence, a peaceful resolution of conflicts in the local area. To do this, PBI teams:
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Offer support and protective accompaniment to human rights defenders, groups or individuals threatened with violence;
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Develop a thorough analysis of the political situation by listening to the widest possible range of viewpoints and experiences while respecting needs for confidentiality;
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Report to the outside world a non-partisan analysis of the situation as seen on the ground in the area;
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Meet regularly with local and national civil and military authorities and embassies to raise concerns regarding human rights abuses as they affect the organisations we accompany.
PBI is not a development organisation. We believe that communities need space to carry out their own development in ways that create self reliance rather than dependency. We refer requests for development projects to other organisations set up for such work.
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
- A clear understanding of and commitment to nonviolence.
- foreign language skills - fluent Spanish is essential for working in Mexico, Guatemala and Colombia. Fluent English and a basic understanding of Nepali is essential for working in Nepal. (PBI subsidises a large portion of a 2 month Nepali language homestay program for volunteers in Nepal).
- discretion and diplomacy
- maturity – volunteers are usually over the age of 25
- resilience - the ability to work effectively under pressure.
- knowledge and understanding of the history, politics and culture of the country where you are working.
- cross-cultural skills and sensitivity - the ability to work with people of different cultures, demonstrated through previous intercultural experience.
- able to make a minimum commitment of one year.
Dates
Deadline: As soon as possible
Cost/funding for participants
PBI volunteers gain:
- A profound experience of working with an international peace and human rights organisation committed to transforming ideals into practical action
- Specialist training based on over 30 years experience working in the field
- The experience of living and working in a close-knit team of volunteers from many different countries and backgrounds
- A unique first-hand insight into the intense pressures faced by human rights defenders and their resilience and courage
All projects cover the costs of: travel to country of work, accommodation, food, internal travel, insurance, repatriation and also offer a stipend to cover additional costs.
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
