Engaging Governments and International Organizations

IFOR members are deeply committed to transforming the culture of violence into what Martin Luther King Jr. often described as the “Beloved Community.” In pursuit of this mission, it has recognized the importance of engaging governments and international organizations.

IFOR members have been supportive of the principles found in the charter of the United Nations since before the UN’s founding in 1945.  The most notable exception is that IFOR members do not support the UN providing legitimacy to any armed conflict.

The UN is the preeminent institution for international politics and is an important venue within which to encourage peace and international human rights. IFOR has had special consultative status at the United Nations since 1979. IFOR representatives work at the UN Headquarters in New York and its major offices in Geneva and Vienna. Additionally, IFOR is represented at UNESCO in Paris. This is the Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization of the UN.

IFOR also seeks to engage regional bodies that can contribute to a culture of peace and human rights.

Click on the expandable blocks below to learn more about our representatives and their important areas of work.

UN Headquarters New York Representatives

John Kim (Main Representative)

  • His main topics are non-violence, arms control, nuclear disarmament, human rights, and international law. He specifically follows the UN Meetings on Peace, Disarmament, Human Rights and International Law. john.kim@ifor.org

    • Patricia Ackerman

  • Patricia is an academic scholar with expertise in gender and women’s rights issues. She participates in the UN Commission on the Status of Women and networks with women’s rights advocates. patricia.ackerman@ifor.org

    • Sherly Fabre

  • Her main topics are Pan-Africanism, women's rights particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean with special attention to Afro-colombian issues. She also centers in women's rights and struggles in Central America and Haiti.
    sherly.fabre@ifor.org

    • UN Geneva Representatives

    Zaira Zafarana (Main Representative)

  • Has served as IFOR's Fellow in Geneva since 2017. She focuses on conscientious objection to military service, coordinates IFOR's representation during the Human Rights Council, the Universal Periodic Review, and the meetings of the Human Rights Committee. zaira.zafarana@ifor.org

    • Hans Ulrich Gerber

  • Represents IFOR on matters related to disarmament, and the rights of children. He represents IFOR on matters concerning interfaith cooperation at the UN and he is IFOR's representative to the World Council of Churches in Geneva. hans.ulrich.gerber@ifor.org

    • UN Vienna Representatives

    Pete Haemmerle

  • Delegated from FOR Austria, Pete’s main topics are nuclear disarmament and non-violent action. He represents IFOR in the NGO Committee on Peace, and in meetings of the Preparatory Committee for the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Other important topics at the UN in Vienna are peaceful uses of outer space, and drugs and crime. pete.haemmerle@ifor.org

    • UNESCO Paris Representatives

    Maria Antonietta Malleo (Main Representative)

  • Working from her home base in Sicily, but often in Paris, she follows the organization closely. She has an extensive network and collaborates with the NGO Liaison Office. She participates in the biannual International Conference of NGOs, the biannual General Conference, and the Working Groups on human rights, peace, and youth. maria.antonietta.malleo@ifor.org

    • Christian Renoux

  • Christian played a vital role in the institution of the International Decade on Peace. Now, he remains focused on the global implementation and awareness of the Culture of Peace. christian.renoux@ifor.org

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