Peace work around the world

Peace thrives on the commitment of individuals, and AGIAMONDO sees its CPS work as a Catholic contribution to peace in the world. We are guided here by the Christian concept of a just peace. Conflicts are a natural part of social change processes. But peace and development can only be achieved if societies are able to deal with these conflicts constructively and without violence. In conflict regions, Civil Peace Service development workers join forces with local partner organisations to break the cycles of violence or, at the very least, to mitigate the consequences of violence and injustice. In addition to our top priority of championing the rights of victims, we maintain a strong partner orientation.

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AGIAMONDO and the executing agencies of the CPS

In 1999, eight governmental and non-governmental organisations joined forces to create the Civil Peace Service Consortium. Their aim was to create a solidarity-based agency to strengthen peace work around the world. AGEH, now known as AGIAMONDO, was one of these founding members. That same year, the first development workers undertook their assignments in crisis regions.

The Civil Peace Service is financed by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

AGIAMONDO’s role in peace work

Working with local partner organisations, AGIAMONDO develops peacebuilding programmes in conflict countries. In cooperation with our partners, we analyse conflicts, their causes, the stakeholders, and the need and potential for action. We then formulate strategies at the national level and realistic goals for the work of the CPS development workers. It is always important to network with the various partners and players involved in peace work, both locally and internationally.

The principle of integrated development workers

Peace can only be achieved from within, which is why AGIAMONDO development workers always serve as employees of local partner organisations – and never act entirely on their own. The partner organisations assume local responsibility for the substantive, legal and political aspects of the funded projects. At the same time, the CPS staff work as a team with their local co-workers and make their knowledge and skills available. Solidarity, subsidiarity and openness for joint learning processes and for exchanges of knowledge, world views and values are important underlying principles for the peacebuilding activities of development workers.

The Civil Peace Service of AGIAMONDO

Working for a just peace is a fundamental mission of the church. Accordingly, as a Catholic agency that supports the CPS, we are committed to non-violence, social justice and tolerance. Religious communities and stakeholders have a unique potential and capacity to work for peace. They empower individuals and societies to deal with injury and loss, but also to work for truth, justice and reconciliation. Their spiritual and ethical orientation and the way that they comfort and stand shoulder to shoulder with people, including those who are afflicted by war, injustice and violence, often lend them a high degree of credibility as agents of peace. The Universal Catholic Church in particular has a close-knit network of structures in many countries and is present in even the most remote areas of the globe. 

Through the CPS, AGIAMONDO draws upon the resources and potential of the Catholic Church to promote peace processes in conflict countries. In addition to promoting peace projects of church and church-related partner organisations, it uses the CPS to promote non-church, civil society organisations. It is especially important for us to foster ecumenical and interreligious cooperation in our peacebuilding work, as well as in networking with religious stakeholders, civil society and the state.

Religiously motivated development workers are particularly qualified to support local partners in this mission. Not surprisingly, many partners specifically request Christian CPS development workers.