PHASING AND STRUCTURING THE DAMIETTA PROJECT

PHASING AND STRUCTURING

THE DAMIETTA PROJECT

THREE PHASES 1. Consensus and Foundations (November 2004 -

October 2005)

2. Institution Building - orientating, resourcing and training of infra-structure (November 2005 – October 2006 )

3. Formation of independent, active Community Groups at grassroots level supported by local leadership and regional centres (November 2006 ----)

PHASE 3 (November 2006 ----)

Formation of independent, active, Community Groups at grassroots supported by local leadership and regional centres  

COMMUNITY GROUPS 1. Groups at Grassroots Level

Local community groupings of concerned members actively promoting pre- emptive, non-violent solutions to local issues

2.  Groups at Local Leadership Level Religious local leadership initiating and supporting emerging

grassroots activists. This includes particularly, but not only, Franciscans and

Capuchins

3.  Regional centres Capuchin-created centres to support, but not regulate, the

grassroots and local leaderships levels.

1. GROUPS AT GRASSROOTS LEVEL Local community groupings of concerned members actively promoting

pre- emptive, non-violent solutions to local issues involving:o Meetingso Listening in depth to one-another’s positionso Mutual development of ethos of non-violenceo Giving informed attention to possible sources of violenceo Developing shared strategies for responses to violence across

boundaries within the specific communityo Getting the actors in the conflict to talko Standing in solidarity between the parties in conflicto Actively undertaking non-violent, pre-emptive responses to conflict

and unjust situationso Developing a dialectical relationship with the other levels in the

Damietta Initiative

2. GROUPS AT LOCAL LEADERSHIP LEVEL

Religious local leadership initiating and supporting emerging grassroots activists.

This includes particularly, but not only, Franciscans and Capuchinso Mutual sharing and supporto Bringing in of appropriate expertise to inform or train in skills

in conflict resolution etco Accessing and distributing resources for mobility and

communicationo Establishing networks of advice, research experience and

encouragement across different community boundarieso Acting as a communication/information sharing conduit

between the grassroots and the regional centres.

AT REGIONAL CENTRES

Capuchin created centres to support, but not regulate, the grassroots and local leaderships levels. These centres do not in any way involve themselves directly in the grassroots level clusters or groups. They are concerned with:o Developing and making available information and training

resources relevant to non-violent actiono Actively disseminating information about non-violence (and

violence) to activists and local leadershipo Offering specialised training in non-violent community “therapy”,

especially to members of the workshopso Facilitating study, discussion, research and interactions with those

involved in promoting non-violent actiono Disseminating information about non-violence and situations of

potential conflicto Providing evaluation and feedback of non-violent activities

PHASE ONE

ACTIVITIES CURRENT PHASE (PHASE ONE)

1. Consensus Process

o Develop Franciscan/Capuchin consensus while simultaneously engaging in a consultation process with stakeholders and others with similar concerns - to learn views, experiences and suggestions as well as expectations, reservations and levels of and conditions for support of the project .

ACTIVITIES CURRENT PHASE (PHASE ONE)

2. Action research

Undertake a literature search, reflect on and appropriately apply experience covering:

 o Peace and Dialogue activities, conflict resolution and non-

violence initiatives, in both their theoretical and practical aspects, world-over;

o Organisational and personal change;o Grassroots and community development;o Franciscan/Christian history and practice in relation to

Peace/non-violence and dialogue initiatives.

ACTIVITIES CURRENT PHASE(PHASE ONE)

3. Contacts, Communication& Advocacy

Set up and maintain a contacts data base, communication systems and advocacy programmes to create a positive view of, ensure feedback to and inclusivity of stakeholders and spread knowledge of the project.

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ACTIVITIES CURRENT PHASE (PHASE ONE)

4. Grassroots Pilot Peace Communities

Seek out, interact with, support, encourage (within the means and mandate of the project) and learn from “Communities of Peace” or similar ventures

5. PROPOSAL FOR NEXT PHASE Develop and produce a sustainable project proposal

for the SAVP which will reflect:o An agreed peace related strategy, vision and mission

appropriate to the Franciscan Charism;o A strategy for implementation;o An environmental scan including the known activities of

others engaged in similar and associated activities;o A SWOT (Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats)

Evaluation;o Resources available or required (human, material financial

and systemic). Potential sources for these.o Sustainability prognosis and requirements (including training

and marketing).