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“We must join together for … a culture of peace.” At the inception of the United states we adopted a Declaration of Independence with achieving peace recognized as one of our highest duties. As part of the Earth community, we acknowledge the Earth Charter which states, in part: To move forward we must recognize that in the midst of a magnificent diversity of cultures and life forms
we are one human family and one Earth community with a common destiny. The Department of Peacebuilding Act of 2025 (DoP 2025) was introduced in Congress today. For many years we have joined together to realize – as stated in the Earth Charter – “a global society founded on respect for nature, universal human rights, economic justice, and a culture of peace.” |
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“Peacebuilding helps to address the root causes of violence, implement broad measures to stabilize our society and others around the world, and prevent violent conflict to create a sustainable, peaceful world,” said DoP 2025 Sponsor Ilhan Omar (MN-5). "Violence is not only destroying lives, but it is draining our resources. Every dollar we invest in peacebuilding saves countless more by reducing crime, conflict, and instability. My hope is that our future generations inherit a world that values peace more than we have valued war."
We thank Congresswoman Omar for sponsoring this bill and we thank the cosponsors who have signed on to this bill to date. As acknowledged by Rep. Omar, this bill carries forward the vision of former Representatives Dennis Kucinich (OH) and Barbara Lee (CA), as well as former Senator Mark Dayton (MN), who championed this cause before her. |
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What if we had a cabinet-level department within our government that addressed the interconnection of all life and the intersectionality of peace and justice, equality, health, healing, national security, education, the economy, rule of law, democracy, planetary survival, and other aspects of civil rights, civil liberties and human rights? What if we had a department that stood for the values embodied in these interconnections? That is what the DoP is about. What if part of the mission of this department were to cultivate peace and peacebuilding as a strategic national policy and a Secretary of Peacebuilding sat at the table of our government to do this every day? That is what DoP 2025 mandates. |
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DoP 2025 recognizes there are many interconnected causes and symptoms of violence and there are many conditions and ways of peace. Within the DoP 2025 bill, for example:
- Causes and symptoms of violence. “The physical, emotional, monetary, and other costs of violence are enormous and cut across all sectors of society in the U.S. …” Climate change and systemic racism are significant drivers of violence. “Economic insecurity and poverty are forms of violence.”
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Conditions and paths of peace. “Restorative justice and practices have proven to significantly improve outcomes … “ “Violence prevention is cost effective.” The U.S. spends trillions of dollars on nuclear weapons that could instead be redirected to the needs of American communities. “Peace is a human right and a security issue.”
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To prevent violence and promote peacebuilding, DoP 2025 calls for the following offices within this cabinet-level department: 1) Peace Education & Training; 2) Domestic Peacebuilding Activities; 3) International Peacebuilding Activities; 4) Technology for Peace; 5) Arms Control & Disarmament; 6) Peacebuilding Information & Research; and 7) Human Rights & Economic Rights. It calls for an Intergovernmental Advisory Council on Peace and a Federal Interagency Committee on Peace. See DoP 2025 Overview.
The DoP provides for collaboration and cooperation of government entities, applicable experts, nongovernmental organization stakeholders, appropriate non-profit organizations, individuals, state, tribal and local leaders to develop, enact and promote peacebuilding efforts and programs, including consultation with those who are most impacted by related programs.
We are all stakeholders in a peaceful, just and equitable democracy. What if we had a Department of Peacebuilding -- and advocated for all that a DoP stands for -- instead of the cacophony of chaos, cruelty, corruption, division and hate coming out of the current administration? See below for actions you can take and a sampling of organizations you can support.
“I’m no longer accepting the things I cannot change, I’m changing the things I cannot accept.”
- Angela Davis |
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Building peace together,
Nancy Merritt
On Behalf of The Peace Alliance and
The National Department of Peacebuilding Committee |
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ADVOCACY & ACTIONS FOR PEACE |
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Support the Peace Alliance and other groups, for example:
Feel free to suggest other organizations by writing to nancy@peacealliance.org. |
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