Annapolis Friends Peace and Justice Center

We are a networking center for peace and justice, providing resources and support for conflict transformation, collaborative problem solving, and other forms of peacemaking.

• We partner with community groups to complement and facilitate conflict transformation and peace-making efforts in the Annapolis area.
• We offer training in conflict transformation skills to develop a core of individuals to facilitate projects and sponsor programs relevant to community needs.
• We build on previously established relationships with Israeli and Palestinian promoters of the Geneva Accord.
• We established a partnering relationship with the Admiral Oaks Boys and Girls Club

Current Initiative

Alternatives to Violence Training

Building on Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) work done by several Annapolis Friends at the men's prison in Jessup (MCI-J), in 2009 the center initiated an “AVP in Annapolis” effort.   By early 2010 we had offered five “Introduction to AVP” classes, two 20-hour workshops in Basic AVP, a 20-hour Advanced AVP workshop, and an AVP Training for Trainers. Plans are in place for additional basic and advanced workshops, mini-AVP workshops, and introductory classes.   Participants in these various events have included members of civic and educational organizations, criminal justice agencies, faith-based groups, human relations commissions, and others.   Our goal is to strengthen peace-making and violence-prevention efforts in the greater Annapolis region.

Previous Initiatives

Palestinian-Israeli Water Rights Negotiations

GENEVA INITIATIVE WATER TREATY COMPLETED

As Israeli, Palestinian and U.S. governments struggle with the “Track I” peace negotiations, Geneva Initiative (GI) non-governmental (NGO) representatives have completed a “Track II” dialog on a central conflict between their people: how water should be allocated fairly and with cooperation to face drought and other environmental problems.

Palestinians and Israelis each sent five-member delegations, including both technical experts and representatives with close ties to their governments, for three days of intense discussions in August 2008 in Maryland on the difficult water issues.   Annapolis Friends Peace and Justice Center recruited, as advisors, U.S. experts in the fields of engineering, economics, and water law, as well as mediators including a retired U.N. ambassador.

The draft water agreement has been finalized and offered to government and Geneva Accord officials as a possible framework for water cooperation in the "final status agreement" that would bring peace to Israelis and Palestinians.

Help Increase the Peace (HIP)

The Quaker Peace testimony leads us to search for ways to address the causes of and alternatives to conflict. Help Increase the Peace (HIP) brings skills and tools to youth who are looking for alternatives to violence in their daily lives. It uses brainstorming, cooperative games, creative problem solving, role plays, and listening circles to help participants learn peaceable behaviors.   Youth practice being inclusive, accepting, and respectful to all people.   In the exercises they search for root causes of prejudice, hate, abuse, and violence. Building trust, appreciating differences, and recognizing social and economic injustices are part of the experience.

In 2008, we introduced HIP to Annapolis through the Boys and Girls Clubs. Fifteen Program Directors, Assistants, and other community youth leaders got a taste of interpersonal conflict resolution, restorative justice, and HIP.   Following this, teenage participants enjoyed HIP training.   In addition, staff working with a first-offenders youth program through Light of the World Family Ministries took a full train-the-trainer workshop. In 2009, the Boys and Girls Club Junior Staff and Teens participated in HIP training as did a group of Eastport interfaith leaders.

Admiral Oaks Housing Partnership

The Friends Peace and Justice Center partnered with the Boys and Girls Club in the Admiral Oaks housing community

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