Generations For Peace ranked 2nd peacebuilding NGO globally

AMMAN — Jordanian non-governmental organisation Generations For Peace (GFP) has been ranked second-leading peacebuilding organisation in the world, as part of the Advisor’s “Top 500 NGOs in the World” list, gaining four places since last year.

The organisation, founded by HRH Prince Feisal in 2007, was named 30th best NGO in the world, maintaining its position as the leading Jordanian organisation in the 2018 rankings conducted by the Geneva-based Advisor.

Following the announcement, Prince Feisal, who is also GFP's chairman, said in a statement: “Our young organisation has risen to achieve a level of consistent excellence not just reflected in these rankings, but also demonstrated through our innovation, quality, impact, and sustainability on a global scale. This success and recognition is shared with all… and I look forward to the continued expansion of our organisation and its programmes as we work to inspire and promote peace worldwide.”

A peace-through-sport organisation recognised by the International Olympic Committee, GFP works to empower youth to develop leadership skills and capacities using sports, arts, advocacy and dialogue.

"Working with youth is not easy when it comes to communication and building acceptance, especially when participants are from three different nationalities and 10 communities. At GFP we are taught that everyone can engage in meaningful conversations and tackle topics of concern, core values such as respect, and non-violence and human rights," GFP volunteer Heba Antoun told The Jordan Times.

Mohammad Asidehi, one of GFP volunteers, said: "I used to believe that conflict could be solved only by violence, that there was no other way to deal with it except to respond to violence with violence. But that changed after I enrolled at the GFP camp.

The organisation, which has supported more than 10,500 volunteers across 50 countries, helping over 450,000 people, aims to "bring about conflict transformation in crisis affected communities", according to its website. 

Among the criteria highlighted for GFP's ranking, Advisor cited its "innovation in developing peacebuilding tools and adaptive programming", its "strong focus on impact measurement, participatory evaluation, reflection, and learning", its "sustainable cost model" as well as the numerous strong partnerships it has with UN agencies, and governmental entities.

Jean-Christophe Nothias, editor of the list, praised the success of the Jordanian entity, saying: “In conflict zones, communities often reject other communities, particularly those perceived as different. This is where Generations For Peace makes a difference: The organisation mentors young people to bring about powerful and desperately needed social change by building mutual respect, tolerance, and trust through dialogue."