Michigan Peace Team is an international organization that places violence reduction Peace Teams in conflict zones around the world. We train volunteers from all walks of life to join our teams--from across the United States, and increasingly, from all over the world. We use Third Party Nonviolent Intervention (TPNI) as a way to reduce and prevent violence. MPT places teams where invited by one or both parties to a conflict (both in the United States and internationally), and works closely with local leadership.
MPT screens, trains and prepares teams for international conflict intervention work. In the past, we have placed peacekeepers for violence reduction projects in Bosnia, Chiapas, Haiti, the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, Iraq, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Algonquin Reservation (Canada), Juarez (Mexico), Cairo (Egypt), Rafah (Egypt), and with the Western Shoshone people.
MPT first fielded Peace Team members to the West Bank in 1991. Since 2001, we have focused much of our resources on developing a year-round presence. In addition to our daily conflict intervention and violence reduction work in the field, MPT trainers have participated in skill shares with Israeli and Palestinian peace activists and international nonviolent activists. Well over 100 trained MPT members have deployed with us in the past 15 years, for between three weeks and three, months working to reduce violence and encourage nonviolent activism in the region.
Michigan Peace Team understands that violence doesn't just happen in other countries, but right here at home too. Upon invitation from those directly affected, we train and place peace teams to reduce and prevent violence in places where there is a high probability of violence. Over the years, we have been invited to help reduce violence during special events like GLBT Pride Parades, at protests during the 2008 Republican National Convention, during riots following sporting events, at the U.S./Mexico border, and on reservations of First Nations peoples in North America. Peace teams have been present at hate group rallies to deter inter-group violence. MPT provided a peaceful intervention in the local riots at Michigan State University's campus in 1998.
Our Mission:
MICHIGAN PEACE TEAM (MPT) empowers people to engage in active nonviolent peacemaking.
MPT was started in 1993, in response to the growing need for civilian peace-makers both in the U.S. and abroad.
We offer nonviolence training workshops and provide opportunities to join peace teams.
We seek a just world grounded in nonviolence and respect for the sacred interconnectedness of all life.
MPT was started in 1993, in response to the growing need for civilian peace-makers both in the U.S. and abroad.
We offer nonviolence training workshops and provide opportunities to join peace teams.
We seek a just world grounded in nonviolence and respect for the sacred interconnectedness of all life.
