1046 Bristol Road

Birmingham

B29 6LJ

Telephone +44 121 415 5641

Fax +44 121 415 4119

e mail enquiries@respond.org

2007 Annual Accounts

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Who we are

VISION

RTC’s vision is of a world where everyone can challenge and transform situations of conflict and violence.

MISSION

We hold a passionate belief in the capacity of individuals and communities to transform conflict, and we are committed to investing in and building that capacity. We do this by:

• Offering a range of training and learning opportunities in the field of conflict transformation, both in the UK and internationally.

• Working directly with communities and organisations in conflict-affected situations to enable them to develop and implement effective strategies for peace.

• Identifying and developing the learning from our partnerships with practitioners and networks and disseminating this widely

AIMS AND VALUES

RTC aims to assist people to achieve social and political change. The change we seek, for ourselves and our partners, is characterised by the following key values:

for which a single word can serve: peace.

We aim to be inclusive wherever possible, taking into account the widest feasible range of groups and viewpoints in any initiative and seeking allies to work with and for mutual support. While valuing different perspectives and traditions, we seek to expand areas of common ground.

In our approach we try to balance the uniqueness of individuals and their need for growing self-awareness, on the one hand, with the importance of their collective identities and the need to belong on the other. We encourage a willingness to learn from “failures” as well as “successes”, and a readiness to work for change - in oneself and in one’s group, culture or society.

These values guide our involvement in any work, anywhere, and inform the way RTC itself is structured and operates

CONFLICT AND PEACE

RTC understands conflict to be an inevitable feature of life. It occurs at all levels, from the interpersonal to the international, and is a necessary mechanism for social adjustment and positive change. Most conflicts are not violent, and do not need special efforts at resolution.

Conflicts become violent as a result of the interplay of complex factors both within and external to the society where they are taking place. Addressing them effectively, and building peace, requires deep and multi-faceted analysis and a wide range of actions at different levels, over a long period of time, both to prevent destruction and to create the conditions for a just and stable future.

ROLE OF RTC

The management and resolution of conflict, and the struggle for a more just and stable society, are primarily the responsibility of those living and working in such situations over the long term. Outsiders are, however, often vital. They can assist in many ways, and also do harm. RTC understands its role to be by invitation only, in support of insiders motivated by key values similar to our own.

Our main focus is on areas of the world affected by violent conflict: as a threat, or as a current or recent reality.

Our main partners are organisations and individuals in the countries concerned who are actively engaging with situations of social and political conflict. They are working in such fields as: meeting human needs, promoting justice and human rights, facilitating dialogue and understanding between polarised groups and furthering economic and social development. These partners are primarily NGOs, though we also work with government people and others near to the centres of decision-making.

Our programmes are designed to enable partners to develop their capacity to address conflict effectively and to build peace wherever they are. They aim to avoid dependency, and build networks of support and action. They focus on two main areas:

• skills for handling conflict, and
• skills for influencing policies and policy-making processes.

Our approach to learning aims to be practical, participative and experience-based; the insights, existing skills and life-wisdom of participants are an integral part in a process which aims to strengthen and develop specific skills, knowledge and awareness. Each activity organised by RTC, including the regular courses, is tailor-made for the situation and designed to meet the needs of those involved.

The actual social and political context faced by participants provides much of the material with which new conceptual frameworks and skills are introduced. We evaluate our work on one main criterion: are participants and their organisations more able to make a difference now than before?

We actively request and welcome all feedback, criticism and appreciation included! We need it in order to learn, to respond to changing needs, and enhance our own capacities.

Staff

Trustees