International Fellowship of Reconciliation

Goed Zo!! Council 2010

Well done, thank you to all those that worked so hard on the preparations for and/or participated in the work sessions and activities of IFOR's Council 2010!

The IFOR Council 2010, which took place in Baarlo, The Netherlands, at Kasteel de Bercktfrom, from the 13th to 21st of November 2010 was an exhilarating, decision making, business-packed eight days!

We already have a report from the Youth Council by Amy Hailwood and a video from Stu and Greg. Look forward to more reports and photos from those that attended this most important of IFOR events. If you have any questions, please contact the IFOR International Secretariat.

Photos by Arjan Dekker, IFOR Intl. Secretariat: 1, 2

[Live from the Council] [Council Preview Video]

IFOR welcomes new members, appoints new governing body

P R E S S R E L E A S E

"Alkmaar, NL: Over seventy representatives of the world's branches, groups and affiliates of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR) met in Baarlo, Netherlands, November 13 - 21, 2010, for its Council meeting. Several significant new members from Sudan, Chad and Bangladesh were welcomed. The gathering also elected a new International Committee, which serves as the fellowship's governing body between Council meetings."

Please click here to read the President's Message in full.

Hansuli John Gerber
President
International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR)

[Presidents Acceptance Speech]

Introducing IFOR's NEW International Committee!

From lt to rt: Hansuli Gerber (Switzerland), Jean-Pierre Massamba (Congo-Brazzaville), Lili Baxter (USA), Kyoko Iitaka (Japan), Davorka Lovrekovic (Germany), David Mumford (UK), and Lucas Johnson (USA).

VIDEO

What is I.F.O.R.? Documentary film preview
by FairSoul-LIVE...ACT..BE

VIDEO: IFOR Council 2010 Preview
by FairSoul-LIVE...ACT..BE

Kasteel de Berckt, Baarlo, Limburg

Kasteel de Berckt was originally a castle from the twelfth century, rebuilt in 1838 in an Italian style. Berckt castle is located on the Maas River, in a private park of 24 hectares. The park contains canals within the garden walls and many ancient and exotic trees. [more here ]

Kasteel de Berckt, Baarlo, Limburg

2010 Elected International Committee (ICOM)

The International Committee was elected at the 2010 Council in Baarlo, The Netherlands, on Friday, 19 November 2010 and will continue in office until the next Council, in 2014.

The NEW members are...
- President: Hansuli Gerber, Switzerland
- Vice-President: Davorka Lovrekovic, Germany
- Treasurer: David Mumford, UK
- Lili Baxter, USA
- Kyoko Iitaka, Japan
- Jean-Pierre Massamba, DRC
- Lucas Johnson, USA

RCC members are...
- Africa: Moses John (Sudan) and Chantal Razafindravone (Madagascar)
- America: Gustavo Cabrera (Costa Rica) and Lee McKenna (Canada)
- Asia: Beena Sebastian (India) and Zoughbi Alzoughbi (Palestine)
- Europe: Marion Schreiber (Austria) and Kees Nieuwerth (Netherlands)

4 Year Plan (2010-2014)

One of the main achievements of this Council was the adoption of the four year plan for 2010-4. This guiding document will provide the basic framework and direction for the International Committee, and the IFOR Secretariat for the coming four years.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE OF THE INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP OF RECONCILIATION

The International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR) is an international, spiritually-based movement of people who, from the basis of a belief in the power of love and truth to create justice and restore community, commit themselves to active nonviolence as a way of life and as a means of transformation–personal, social, economic and political.

Read IFOR's 2006 adopted 4 Year Plan

Gender Policy

Unequal power relations between women and men, is one root of violence, conflict and militarization, where women’s human rights are often severely abused. Gender justice means that women and men can equally contribute to and benefit from peacebuilding, nonviolent conflict resolution and reconciliation.

This gender policy recognizes that gender equality is an integral part of IFOR’s fundamental values and is a core spiritual value. A transformation of the power relations between women and men is a prerequisite for a culture of peace and nonviolence, and must be promoted throughout IFOR.

Read IFOR's 2006 adopted Gender Policy