Frequently Asked Questions
About the Peacemakers Network
What is the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers (Peacemakers Network)?
The Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers (Peacemakers Network) is a service function for international and local mediation and peacebuilding initiatives. The Peacemakers Network consists of religious and traditional leaders and organizations supporting their mediation and peacebuilding efforts.
The initiators of the Peacemakers Network are the UN Mediation Support Unit (MSU) in the Department of Political Affairs (DPA), UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Religions for Peace (RfP), Finn Church Aid (FCA).
How does the Peacemakers Network support collaborative action for sustainable peace?
The Peacemakers Network makes a global impact through four modality areas:
1. Networking – enhancing connections between Network members and supporters, with emphasis on collaboration among local, regional, and international level actors.
2. Advocacy – influencing relevant global norms and policies and contributing to their implementation by amplifying the voices of religious and traditional peacemakers and Network members.
3. Research and analysis – analysis and research informing the actions of the Peacemakers Network and creation of an evidence based to promote the role of religious and traditional peacemakers and approaches to address conflicts with religious dimensions.
4. Training and capacity-building – context-sensitive and needs-based capacity building of policymakers, practitioners, and peacemakers (including Network members and supporters).
Why was the Peacemakers Network established?
Religious and traditional leaders are influential representatives of local communities in questions of peace, war and mediation and they have expressed their willingness to be included in international mediation efforts. Yet, support for their mediation work and proper coordination have often been ad-hoc by nature.
Second, the UN has officially stated that enhanced dialogue and coordination with religious leaders is key in supporting the development of UN Mediation’s capacity (UNSG’s report A/66/811).
Third, the Peacemakers Network supports the implementation of several international mediation/peacebuilding strategies or guidelines (including UNSCR 1325).
Fourth, the Peacemakers Network provides the international community with enhanced mechanisms to address the adverse effects that extreme religious views or harmful cultural practices are causing.
Lastly, over 30 relevant international organizations and religious leaders gathered in Helsinki in January 2013 to discuss the means of how to support, in a more structured way, the mediation work of religious and traditional leaders and promote coordination between religious leaders, relevant organizations and the UN. As a result, the participants of the meeting decided that the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers will be established.
What are the objectives of the Peacemakers Network?
The aim of the Peacemakers Network is to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of peace focused efforts through collaboratively supporting and strengthening the positive role of religious and traditional actors in peace and peacebuilding processes.
The goals of the Peacemakers Network are:
1. Realize that the potential of religious and traditional peacemakers in mediation efforts is concretely utilized.
2. Developing more structured connections between religious and traditional leaders, multi-lateral stakeholders, and the United Nations to promote sustainable partnerships.
3. Ensuring that track 1 diplomats and negotiators are sensitized to the role of religion and religious leaders in mediation and build necessary skills to use their expertise within peacebuilding.
4. Ensuring that religious and traditional peacemakers develop local-level networking and coordination as well as advanced joint learning through shared lessons learned.
5. Increasing the capacity of religious and traditional leaders to act as a positive force in mediation.
6. Ensuring that religious and traditional leaders promote the role of women and youth in peace processes at different levels of society and empower women and youth religious leaders and actors in their mediation work.
7. Forming partnerships with international organizations to support religious and traditional leaders in achieving their mediation goals.
How is funding of the Peacemakers Network envisaged?
The Peacemakers Network is grateful for the funding provided by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, KAICIID, and Oman Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs, and is reaching out to potential donors.
About Membership
Who can join the Peacemakers Network as a member?
Organizations that engage with religious and traditional peacemakers on a regular basis from any part of the world may apply for membership provided they meet the following criteria:
• Support the Peacemakers Network’s vision and mission.
• Have experience engaging with traditional or faith-based actors or in traditional or faith-based peace and development activities, and the ability to assist the Network through their own expertise and contacts.
• Commit to the values of inclusivity, respect for diversity, human rights, and human dignity.
• Commit to attend meetings of the Members Assembly and the Advisory Group.
• Nominate in writing a focal point for the Peacemakers Network related to decisions and activities.
• Agree to serve on at least one Peacemakers Network Working Group and contribute to Peacemakers Network’s activities in-kind and/or financially.
*If you cannot commit to the membership criteria, or are not a legally incorporated organization, we encourage you to become a supporter of the Peacemakers Network.
What are the benefits of becoming a Network member/supporter?
The Peacemakers Network provides opportunities for members and supporters to network at the regional and global level. The Advisory Group Meeting (AGM) is one opportunity for members and supporters to gather and network with peacebuilders from across the globe, allowing members to interact with those they typically would not encounter.
Members and supporters have the opportunity to be part of consortium projects, which are opportunities to raise awareness, support community outreach, and promote their mission and goals. Consortium projects can have a research or advocacy focus. Additionally, the Peacemakers Network conducts context-specific and needs-based capacity building of policymakers, practitioners, and peacemakers.
How do I become a member or supporter of the Peacemakers Network?
Organizations interested in becoming a member or supporter can contact the Membership Coordinator, Sarah Rehman at sarah.rehman@kua.fi for more information.
How often are organizations accepted as members?
The Peacemakers Network’s Steering Group reviews applications twice a year, in the fall and spring.
The Peacemakers Network Secretariat reviews supported requests as they arise.
What is the difference between a member and supporter?
The difference between a member and a supporter is the ability to vote on the Peacemakers Network’s Five-Year Strategy.
Members and supporters can participate in Working Groups, consortium projects, research, and advocacy.
Supporters are individuals and organizations that have the capacity and the desire to advance the Peacemakers Network’s mission but are unable to commit to membership or whose mission does not fully align with the Peacemakers Network.
How much does it cost to become a member?
There are no fees to become a member or supporter. We ask that members agree to contribute to Network activities in-kind and/or financially. Contributions may take in the form of hosting Network staff at their offices, providing meeting venues, taking an active lead role in facilitating a Working Group, providing expertise/time to certain activities of the Network, co-organizing with the Network on an event, and the like. Hence, in-kind support does not require the religious or traditional peacemaker organization to provide any financial contribution, but the time and support can be demonstrated in other valuable ways.
What does the membership application process entail?
The membership process happens in 5 steps:
1. Contact the Membership Coordinator for more information and to set up a 30-minute meeting to discuss membership.
2. The Membership Coordinator will invite your organization to fill out the form to be a member or supporter.
3. Following the completion of this application, the Membership Coordinator will contact you for your organization’s Executive Director and Board Chair’s consent to run an anti-money laundering and financing terrorism screening.
4. Your application will undergo review by the Peacemakers Network’s Executive Director and relevant Regional Manager.
5. After they’ve granted approval, your application will be reviewed by the Steering Group for final approval.
Following these steps, the Membership Coordinator will contact your chosen focal point with the status of your application.
What does the supporter application process entail?
The supporter process happens in 4 steps:
1. Contact the Membership Coordinator expressing interest in becoming a supporter of the Peacemakers Network.
2. If there is uncertainty about whether the organization would be a better fit as a member or supporter, the Membership Coordinator will set up a 30-minute meeting to learn more about the organization.
3. If the Network Secretariat determines your organization is best as a supporter, the Membership Coordinator will send you the application form to fill out.
4. Once submitted, you will be automatically welcomed as a Peacemakers Network supporter!