NPF has a unique position in the world of NGOs.  While we neither advocate for a particular issue, nor lobby in support of particular policies or legislation we are the “go-to” resource for citizens on four continents who need help as they work to solve the problems of their own communities.  Our name states our mission:  Nations achieve Peace by building the Foundations of civil society, and NPF Empowers People to Build Civil Societies.

NPF’s Definition of Peace: A Civil Society

NPF believes that people deserve to live in a secure, stable and civil society free of social disruption, conflict and fear where every person can pursue his or her life and achieve their fullest potential.  Furthermore, NPF believes that the following institutions are the necessary foundations of a civil society:

Healthy Environment

Includes clean water and air, safe food, good public sanitation, minimizes exposure to toxins, employs strategies for sustainable land management, preservation of bioresources, and promotes sustainable and environmentally sound economic development.

Fair & Reliable Justice System

A system that promotes and protects individual rights and liberties, achieves equitable administration of justice, implements balanced punishments, fosters effective an independent judiciary, promotes the advancement of legal practitioners, and is based on the rule of law.

Access to Healthcare

Provides access to basic individual and public healthcare services, access to medicines, basic access to medical technology and diagnostics, necessary palliative support, achieves high-quality standards of care and promotes well-being and health.

Public Safety

Maintains systems to reduce the incidence and impact of crime, promotes well-trained and accountable police, and provides fire, road, and other public safety infrastructure.

Economic Opportunity

Provides reasonable opportunity for advancement, entrepreneurship and innovation based on skill and desire; redresses inequalities in gender-based, race-base and other barriers to economic advancement, reduces exploitation, and pays living wages.

Access to Information

Access to information of all kinds, but especially objective information about the world around us, has always been an antidote to repressive regimes and intolerance.  In medieval times information began with a free and independent press, books, leaflets, etc.  Modern counterparts range from leaflets dropped over occupied France and the Voice of America to radio, TV, cell phones, internet access and, most recently, e-communications (such as Twitter in Iran).  What America’s forefathers saw as a free press now includes cyberspace and everything in between.  In today’s world, two instruments that support an informed citizenry are:

1. Vibrant Independent Press - An independent press that can actively engage in the collection and dissemination information and provide an outlet for citizens to express concerns without fear of retribution.


2. Unfettered Access to the Global Internet - Access to the global web of information resources and networking capabilities without censorship or other restriction, freedom from fear of monitoring or retribution for accessing information, reasonable public access to the Internet for all economic levels of society.

Rational, High-integrity Policy-making

A policy-making process that is fact-based, free from corruption, considers all impacted stakeholders, strives to minimize bias and is able to adapt to changing circumstances.  High Integrity Policymaking also helps government and multilateral institutions develop policy based on a clear understanding of the known facts and the risks and uncertainties that derive from the unknown and the unknowable.

NPF’s Approach to Peace Building

NPF’s vision is that citizen leaders can prevent, intervene and overcome conflict.  Citizens who work together can overcome differences through awareness and dialogue. Together they can affect and reshape their communities, their nations, and the world.

The old-world model that assumes that governments can solve the complex social, cultural, technical, and political problems of modern life is becoming less relevant. Ordinary citizens are taking responsibility for the functioning of their societies and for reducing the risk of dysfunction and conflict. Yet few people have the knowledge, tools, contacts, and resources needed to work effectively.

NPF helps grassroots organizers and citizen leaders find the methodologies and resources that will help them build and strengthen the foundations of healthy and civil societies.  In an increasingly complex world, NPF serves a crucial and important function – we help improve the effectiveness of ordinary citizens (citizen peace builders) who are motivated to address the critical problems of their communities and societies.