Michele Parente

Forum Ziviler Friedensdienst e.V.

We support people involved in violent conflicts on the path to peace. Our organisation was established in 1996 by peace and human rights groups – in reaction to the Balkan crisis. Since then we have striven to help overcome war and violence. Currently, we are working with peace consultants in Germany and twelve other countries in Europe, the Middle East and South East Asia. Our professional work in conflict wouldn't be possible without intense preparation. Therefore, our Academy for Conflict Transformation offers specialised trainings to people in international peace work. Through campaigns, lobby work and public relations we actively advocate civil peace policy. We are a recognised organisation of the German Civil Peace Service (CPS). We have signed the Transparent Civil Society Initiative (ITZ, by Transparency International Germany). We finance our work through public and private grants, donations and membership fees. Our organisation was awarded the Gustav Heinemann Citizens' Prize in 1997, the Göttingen Peace Prize in 2005 and the "Sievershäuser Ermutigung" peace prize in 2014.