- International Alert
A London-based charity and international non-governmental organisation working to prevent and end
violent conflict across the globe, International Alert marked its 20th anniversary in 2006.[http://www.international-alert.org International Alert] views itself as a
peacebuilding (also known asconflict resolution orconflict transformation ) organisation. Its strapline is "Understanding Conflict. Building Peace".International Alert works in over 20 countries and territories across the world including the
African Great Lakes region,West Africa , theCaucasus , theAndean Region ofSouth America ,Sri Lanka ,Nepal and thePhilippines .International Alert's Work
The vision of the organisation is to work "towards a world where differences are resolved without erupting into violence".
It seeks to achieve this by following its three key missions:
#"Working directly with people affected by violent conflict, supporting their efforts to improve their prospects for
peace "
#"Shaping international policy and practice that affect peacebuilding"
#"Strengthening the expertise, impact and public profile of the peacebuilding sector"Its main activities include working in partnership with local business,
government al,non-governmental , religious, andcommunity group s to build their capacity to deliver a sustainablepeace . They also produce detailed research papers and resource packs to help shape national and international policy, and for use in the training of local and international organisations.History
International Alert was established in the mid-1980s, an era dominated by the
Cold War , and whilstconflict s betweennation s were decreasing, internal conflicts andcivil war s were rapidly increasing. Born out of the merger of The Standing International Forum onEthnic Conflict, Development, andHuman Rights (SIFEC), and US organisation International Alert onGenocide s and , it counted ArchbishopDesmond Tutu amongst the members of its first board oftrustee s.It was the first organisation to concern itself specifically with violent internal conflict and at that time there existed no internationally agreed procedures for resolving internal conflict. International Alert aimed to encourage the creation of acceptable procedures and structures for resolving such situations.
Its work in areas of violent conflict focused on working with local partner organisations to facilitate peace deals and to ensure a transition to a functioning stable society.
Key Landmarks in International Alert's History
* 1985: Establishment of SIFEC marks origins of Alert; the first country-specific programme in Sri Lanka is created to contribute to a peaceful settlement in
Sri Lanka .
* 1991: Alert is awarded Consultative Status, Category II with theUN .
* 1992: Alert begins work in the formerSoviet Union to monitor regions of possible and on-going conflict, and to offer a training programme on conflict resolution.
* 1995: Alert starts its work in the Great Lakes region ofAfrica with several programmes in bothBurundi andRwanda .
* 1998: Alert publishes the first Code of Conduct for conflict transformation work.
* 2000: Major lobbying effort by the Women Building Peace Campaign contributes to the passage ofUN Security Council Resolution 1325 .tructure
International Alert's current
Secretary General is Dan Smith. The organisation is led by a Board of Trustees made up of eleven members from around the world, and a five person Senior Management Team. It is divided into teams working on Eurasia, Asia, the Americas, West Africa, the African Great Lakes, Peacebuilding Issues, and Development.ecretaries General
The organisation has been led by four Secretaries General, as well as two acting Secretaries General, since its creation.
*
Martin Ennals - 1986 - 1990
* Leah Levin- acting SG 1991
* [http://www.kumarrupesinghe.org Kumar Rupesinghe] - 1992 - 1997
* Martin Honeywell- acting SG 1998
* Kevin Clements- 1999 - 2003
* Dan Smith- 2003 - presentTrustees
* Richard Dale (Chair), UK
* Rosemary Bechler, UK
* Pumla Gobodo-Madikezela, South Africa
* Stephen Stedman, USA
*Kamal Hossain , Bangladesh
* Paulina Lampsa, Greece
* Craig McGilvray, (Honorary Treasurer), UK
* Frida Nokken, Norway
*Brendan O'Leary , USA
* Wigberto Tañada, The Philippines
* Martin Woollacott, UKNotable Past Board Members
*
Amir Bhatia (1994–2003)
*Marianne Heiberg (1997–2004)
*Swanee Hunt (2003–2006)
*Michael Ignatieff (2000–2001)
*Joel Joffe (1994–2000)
*Frank Judd (1993-2000; Chair 1997-2000)
*Pauline Neville-Jones (2000–2004)
*N. Barney Pityana (1990–1991)
*Jan Pronk (2003–2004)
*Desmond Tutu (1986–1993)
*Stanley Wolpert (1986–1991)
*Michael Young (1986–1988)External links
* [http://www.international-alert.org International Alert]
* [http://www.intelligentgiving.com/charity/327553 Intelligent Giving profile of International Alert]ee also
*
United Network of Young Peacebuilders (UNOY Peacebuilders) A global NGO and youth network dedicated to the role of youth in peacebuilding
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