Centre for Peacemaking and Community Development (CPCD)
Russia/North Caucasus
The Centre for Peacemaking and Community Development (CPCD) was established in 1995 and has official NGO status in Russia and Britain, and additional offices in Moscow, Nazran, Nalchik, Vladikavkaz, Makhachkala and Novgorod (near St.Petersburg). The main focus of CPCD's work in Russia and particularly the North Caucasus region is to support and encourage local capacities for peace. This involves jointly implementing projects with local groups and individuals in the fields of human rights, peacemaking, nonviolence, community development and humanitarian assistance. CPCD also offers training in these fields and works to link local NGOs with partners elsewhere to strengthen their work and reduce their isolation. CPCD's main current activities are outlined below:
Psychosocial rehabilitation for traumatized children
As part of CPCD's "Little Star" programme, 53 psychologists and counsellors are working in refugee camps and spontaneous refugee settlements in Ingushetia, and in villages and towns in Chechnya. Game, art and drama therapy activities form the basis for the work with children, helping them to develop inter-personal communication skills and enabling them to feel that they are in a safe space with adults who support and respect them.
Education
Schools for IDP children
CPCD, with the support of War Child, opened the Omega school in April 2000 in spontaneous settlements in Sleptsovskaya, Ingushetia. Children attend the school from surrounding spontaneous settlements, and even from the 'Severny' camp, 4km away. The school currently serves over 1000 children. Two Little Star psychologists work alongside the teachers to provide psychological support. CPCD is currently working with UNICEF to open six new IDP schools in Ingushetia.
School building repairs
CPCD is carrying out basic repair work (such as replacing roofs, repairing the heating system, replacing doors/ windows) on 7 schools in Chechnya, to make them suitable for use during the winter months. Many schools have to close down during the winter months, as holes in roofs, broken windows and damaged heating systems render conditions unsuitable for lessons.
Humanitarian aid
CPCD distributes food in Chechnya and Ingushetia as an implementing partner of the UN World Food Programme and Norwegian Church Aid/ACT Network, and other occasional donors. In 2000, we have been providing food to around 30,000 beneficiaries. In addition, we have set up a bakery to provide around 2000 loaves of bread per day for IDPs and vulnerable people.
Landmines awareness
Through the Little Star programme we have access to many children, and have therefore begun mines awareness work with the children who come to our sessions. We hold gatherings and discussions with children, and distribute posters and leaflets in Ingushetia and Chechnya, wherever the Little Star programme works.
Peacebuilding network
CPCD has created a network of young people engaged in peacebuilding activities in the North Caucasus, with permanent representatives in the republics of Dagestan, Ingushetia, North Ossetia and Kabardino-Balkaria. The network works to strengthen links and improve communication between NGOs in the N. Caucasus republics so that they can share experience and information, engage in joint projects and reduce their isolation. Another main function of the network is to provide training in conflict resolution/peacebuilding and human rights.
Conscientious objection/human rights
A small office in Novgorod, NW Russia, conducts human rights work in the field of conscientious objection, linking together with other organizations and individuals in the region. Conscientious objectors in Russia have the right to alternative service enshrined in the Russian Constitution, but no legal mechanism or law to back up this right. We offer young men legal advice and support to enable them to demand their constitutional right to alternative service. A staff member in Moscow conducts similar work with conscientious objectors, and a team of young law graduates conducts a human rights education programme in schools.
Contact details:
Novgorod:
V. Novgorod Pr. Mira 20/2
tel/fax: (81622) 53420
cpcd_nov@rambler.ru
Moscow:
117331 Moscow V-331, PO box 71, Russian Federation
peacecentre@online.ru