On 13 April 2010, the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding between UNITAR and the Nonviolent Peaceforce took place at UNITAR’s headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. 

The agreement was signed by Mr. Carlos Lopes, Executive Director of UNITAR and Mr. Tim Wallis, Executive Director of the Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) with headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, administrative offices in Minneapolis, USA, peace workers in conflict zones, and includes over 65 Member Organizations.

Initiated in 1999 at The Hague Appeal for Peace, the Nonviolent Peaceforce was constituted in the 2002 Convening Event in Surajkund, India with peace advocates from 49 countries in attendance. One year later, in the autumn of 2003, Nonviolent Peaceforce had its first team in Sri Lanka. 

UNITAR and NP share the same objective of building large-scale of trained civilians working in conflict areas. 

The Memorandum of Understanding provides a frame of cooperation between the two institutions and will be followed by joint concrete initiatives that will enhance cross-fertilization and synergies. Prior to the signing of the agreement, technical teams from both institutions have already identified entry actions, and following the signature, more areas of cooperation were revealed. 

This event is in line with UNITAR’s approach to build on synergies with strategic partners to advance the agenda of training.