Our Approach

All people belong to one human family

The Global Peace Foundation applies a values-based approach to peacebuilding that emphasizes universal principles and shared values as a basis to address conflict, promote equitable and sustainable development, and engage all members of the human family as necessary and valuable contributors to building a culture of peace.

GPF field work is advanced in four key areas of focus, each supported by the conviction that all people belong to one human family with a shared origin.

1. Social Cohesion and Peacebuilding

GPF fieldwork brings together diverse stakeholders to further cross-community reconciliation, prevent violent extremism, and develop community-driven models of peacebuilding. This approach:

Emphasizes principles and shared values to foster connection between different groups

Furthers dialogue and engagement to build trust and understanding

Equips community members with skills for problem solving and conflict management

Promotes peace as a basis for investment and economic development

Develops conflict management skills to further mutual understanding and common ground

1. Social Cohesion and Peacebuilding

GPF fieldwork brings together diverse stakeholders to further cross-community reconciliation, prevent violent extremism, and develop community-driven models of peacebuilding. This approach:

Emphasizes principles and shared values to foster connection between different groups

Furthers dialogue and engagement to build trust and understanding

Equips community members with skills for problem solving and conflict management

Promotes peace as a basis for investment and economic development

Develops conflict management skills to further mutual understanding and common ground

2. Character and Leadership Development

GPF places special importance on engaging youth and leaders in civil society, the private sector, educational systems, and government to provide moral and innovative leadership to meet complex social, political, and environmental challenges. GPF leadership projects and training:

Build awareness of core leadership values: live for the greater good, dream big, take ownership, and teamwork

Promote holistic growth and good character as integral to education and leadership development

Transmit skills that cultivate character, creativity, and excellence

Demonstrate high ethical standards and model good behavior in leadership roles

Develop and apply effective and creative solutions to local, regional, and national issues

3. Fostering Civic Virtue

GPF supports responsible, informed citizenship and works to strengthen the underlying values that foster social cohesion, promote robust civic engagement, and respect for essential rights and freedoms, including freedoms of conscience and religion. Through education, expert convenings of political and civil society leaders, and cross-cultural service initiatives, GPF works to:

Increase recognition of our interconnectedness, inherent human dignity, and the need to respect essential human rights and freedoms

Empower civil society, especially faith communities, to engage as active citizens and participate in the public square at local and national levels

Cultivate service and volunteerism throughout all levels of society

Advance public understanding and protection of essential rights, including freedom of conscience and religion

Secure higher levels of sustainable peace, tolerance, and interreligious cooperation

3. Fostering Civic Virtue

GPF supports responsible, informed citizenship and works to strengthen the underlying values that foster social cohesion, promote robust civic engagement, and respect for essential rights and freedoms, including freedoms of conscience and religion. Through education, expert convenings of political and civil society leaders, and cross-cultural service initiatives, GPF works to:

Increase recognition of our interconnectedness, inherent human dignity, and the need to respect essential human rights and freedoms

Empower civil society, especially faith communities, to engage as active citizens and participate in the public square at local and national levels

Cultivate service and volunteerism throughout all levels of society

Advance public understanding and protection of essential rights, including freedom of conscience and religion

Secure higher levels of sustainable peace, tolerance, and interreligious cooperation

    4. Pathways for National Transformation

    All people are subject to national sovereignty in the modern world order. This includes the utilization of public resources and the authority to promote the general welfare through state-level action. GPF works to facilitate the growth of ethical societies and sustainable peace on a national level in collaboration with public, private, and civil society partners. Through these partnerships GPF works to:

    Increase recognition of universal principles and shared values as essential to an ethical nation

    Create family-friendly policies and a social environment that supports strong families as the basis for nurturing ethical citizens

    Promote healthy civic discourse toward the ideal of unity in diversity throughout society

    Foster multi-sector collaboration to solve problems and build peace, stability, and prosperity

    Establish pathways to peace and sustainable development on a national level

    Foster greater civic engagement and participation in advancing shared national goals

    Expand successful, holistic practices of peace and sustainable development to other nations