We subscribe to the Six Principles of Nonviolence as Martin Luther King, Jr. described them:
- Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people;
- Nonviolence seeks to win friendship and understanding;
- Nonviolence seeks to defeat injustice, not people;
- Nonviolence holds that suffering can educate and transform;
- Nonviolence chooses love instead of hate;
- Nonviolence believes that the universe is on the side of justice.
We adhere to forgiveness and restoration rather than punishment, renewing trust in others even in the face of prior wrongs. We refuse to cooperate with violence and injustice while at the same time we refuse to strike back, and realize that war brings war; it never brings peace.
Positive peacebuilding may require a commitment to set aside one’s own interests in favor of the wellbeing of others, sometimes even requiring setting aside one’s own personal security. We promote courageously standing up against the oppressor and honoring and engaging in dialogue with the opponent.
We believe that without justice there can be no lasting peace and we work for the creation of a peaceful and just society.
For more about peacebuilding visit Yes We Can Peacebuilders