Awareness Raising Programme


Programme Overview

The GPPAC Awareness Raising programme aims to promote the acceptance of conflict prevention and peacebuilding on both a conceptual and practical level. To this end, GPPAC supports regional efforts to increase awareness about the effectiveness of conflict prevention and undertakes parallel efforts at the global level.

The long-term shift from reaction to conflict prevention and the establishment of a culture of peace cannot be effected without pervasive public acceptance of, and dedication to, conflict prevention work. To help make this shift possible, GPPAC has launched an international awareness campaign that brings inspiring stories of conflict prevention to large audiences through its People Building Peace project. While the programme still remains focused on the opportunities that the UN International Day of Peace presents each year on 21 September, the campaign utilizes regionally adaptable messages and materials to place a global spotlight on local issues and seeks to foster interaction with both the media and the general public.

 

To realize these overall aims, the following goals have been established for the coming years:

  • To coordinate public awareness raising campaigns on issues of conflict prevention and peacebuilding by having members become centers of creative and inspiring activities during celebrations which mark the International Day of Peace - in association with UN institutions, local and national governments, and inter-governmental organizations wherever possible.
  • To encourage GPPAC members, interested individuals, organizations, and international campaigns to celebrate the International Day of Peace; to utilize GPPAC's Awareness Raising Toolkit, campaign materials, and key messages; and to promote the employment of common elements in celebrations around the world. To this end, we seek to increase opportunities for exchange and encourage members to share their experiences within the GPPAC network.
  • To interact effectively with the media and develop solid relationships with local and regional media organisations, so that they may consult with GPPAC members as valued experts on armed conflict issues and become more receptive to positive messages about the contribution civil society can make to conflict prevention and peacebuilding.
  • To equip the general public with a greater knowledge of conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and GPPAC.

Media Focal Points


In support of the Awareness Raising Programme's mandate, GPPAC initiated a project to establish a Media Focal Point (MFP) in all fifteen regions of the network. While the project functions primarily as a mechanism for GPPAC to assist its regions generate awareness about conflict prevention and peacebuilding, it also ensures that local messages about GPPAC, our mandate, and our goals are in tune with the global agenda. Appointed from within each region, MFPs are individuals who act as a clearinghouse of information for both regional and international media throughout the year. Based upon the incredible success of this project since it began in 2006 with the International Day of Peace as a rallying point, GPPAC decided to incorporate its Media Focal Points as key components of the network's Media Strategy, and have made the project operational year-round.

 

Click here for more information about the 2009 MFP project.


Materials for Awareness Raising in Conflict Prevention

 

GPPAC has developed several materials to help peacebuilders work with media and the public to raise awareness about the possibilities to prevent conflict and build peace. Among these are the following publications: 


International Day of Peace

One of the key activities of GPPAC's Awareness Raising programme is to coordinate public activities centered around the UN International Day of Peace and Ceasefire. If you would like to learn more about this day, the activities organised throughout the GPPAC network to celebrate it, or how you can join, please click here.

 


Projects

People Building Peace is a project that aims to collect successful stories about civil society action in the fields of peacebuilding and conflict prevention. In addition to People Building Peace and the Media Focal Points project mentioned above, we are also developing a media strategy for GPPAC.

 


Contact

For more information about the Awareness Raising Programme, please contact programme coordinator Marte Hellema at m.hellema@conflict-prevention.net