Nonviolent Peaceforce seeks a world without violence

Press Clip Source: Midland Daily News
Written By: Jeanne Lound Schaller
Date: April 10, 2011
Read Original Article: Here

Peace Shore
I stand upon the moonlit shore.
It is a very peaceful place.
I’m unhappy about war.
I have a very sad face.
I wish that I could do more
To help the human race.

Midland’s Abigail Hnizda was 8 when she composed this poem. She speaks for countless children, many living their formative years in the midst of war or other forms of violence, who long for a peaceful world. This longing motivated the 2002 initiation of a civilian, unarmed, professionally trained, international force of women and men willing to risk their lives to help build that kind of world.

Mel Duncan, co-founder of this Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP), will speak in Midland on Saturday, May 14, at 3 p.m. hosted by the First United Methodist Church. 

NP is gaining recognition and receiving requests, from southern Sudan to the UN and beyond, to help protect human rights, provide safe space for opposing parties to meet and to model and teach nonviolent skills. This healing presence builds confidence in locals to create peaceful communities in which to live and raise their families. Invitations have come from a country’s citizen groups. Now, for the first time, NP has been officially invited by a head of state, the President of Kyrgystan, to make an exploratory mission in her country.