Justice, Diversity, equity, inclusion, & accessibility

AfP is committed to implementing justice, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (JDEIA) throughout our organization and within our network of over 190+ members working globally to prevent and reduce violent conflict and build sustainable peace. JDEIA advances inclusion and equity for all people/groups marginalized on the basis of one or more of their identities, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, gender expression, and persons with disabilities.

While promoting JDEIA is the right thing, it is also smart because substantial research shows that more diverse and inclusive organizations are more innovative and impactful. Additionally, advancing JDEIA is critical to preventing and reducing violent conflict and fragility and building sustainable peace

Advancing and building JDEIA

AfP conducts, supports, and publishes inclusive research and data collection. Starting in 2019, using the methodology of the Quantum Impact study, AfP continues to analyze its U.S.-based organizational members' leadership diversity and transparently publishes the findings. To achieve gender equality and greater diversity at the leadership level, including AfP’s Board of Directors, AfP continues to ask our members to pledge to publish their leadership data transparently.

AfP also routinely is asked to present at forums and conferences on JDEIA. Liz Hume provided the keynote address at USIP’s Amplifying Women’s Voices in Peacebuilding event. Our flagship annual PeaceCon included sessions on “Empowering Local Women Peacebuilders Through Equitable Funding,” “New Approaches: Racial Justice and Equity in U.S. Foreign Policy and Peacebuilding,” and “Equitable Partnerships in Action: Making Changes Today.” AfP also attended the YouTopic Festival in Rondine, Italy, and participated in a panel on “Weaving Peace: Women’s Action Towards Reconciliation," examining how women in all areas of society are uniquely equipped to tackle today's complex crises.  

AfP also seeks greater diversity of speakers and perspectives in AfP convenings by requiring gender-inclusive sessions and encouraging amplifying local voices. AfP also commits to not participating in sessions that are not gender inclusive.

Champions of change

AfP also recognizes Champions of Change, highlighting organizations developing and implementing practical and achievable actions promoting JDEIA. Past awardees include: 

• InterAction for their DEI Compact and efforts to advance DEI in the international non-governmental organization community;

• Women of Color Advancing Peace, Security, And Conflict Transformation (WCAPS) for their innovative programs and initiatives that elevate DEI for the broader community; and

Network of Traditional and Religious Peacemakers for their work to integrate diverse faith actors in peacebuilding. 

AfP also maintains a JDEIA digest, an up-to-date compilation of recent organizational statements, research, and more and hosts meetings with our members to discuss innovative ways to promote JDEIA within our network.

AfP is a robust champion of advancing the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda in practice and policy, ensuring this work is robustly integrated into the Global Fragility Act and other laws and policies.

AfP works to develop and advocate for locally-led programming and leadership. While the concept of locally-led development has been gaining traction in recent years and some progress has been made, significant cultural, operational, and policy challenges remain and require a shift in donor culture and operations to overcome existing barriers. 

Collective action is vital to promoting JDEIA, and AfP supports coalitions, including recently becoming a signatory of the Coalition for Racial and Ethnic Equity in Development (CREED) pledge. AfP is also a member of the JDEIA Peacebuilding Practitioner Group, convened by the United States Institute of Peace and Humanity United, which works to embed and sustain JDEIA values in the peacebuilding and peacemaking fields.

Finally, in support of "do no harm," we also vigorously implement anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies. 

Please let us know if you want to contribute to our JDEIA work by nominating a champion of change, contributing to our digest, or contacting us with other ideas. Reach out to Kelcey Negus. 

AfP’s JDEIA Digest

AfP member dei statements

AFP Member resources

SUGGESTED RESOURCES

Organizational Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:

Data Disaggregation:

Inclusive Programming: