Board of Directors
The Global Alliance for Ministries and Infrastructures for Peace (GAMIP) is a worldwide community of civil society campaigns, organizations, committed citizens, and government officials supporting the development of ministries and other infrastructures for peace (I4P).
GAMIP believes in strengthening the UN mission to establish international peace and security. GAMIP works with countries with established ministries and other infrastructures for peace to share best practices and support countries striving to develop a culture of peace
PRINCE OSE IRENE PhD.
NIGERIA
PRESIDENT
Dr. Oseremen Felix IRENE (+234)81 425 436 48, osereme1@gmail.com) is a lecturer and researcher in the field of Peace and Conflict Studies. He is a peace activist, Peace scientist and practical Peacebuilding practitioner. Ose is a member of the Political Science Research Committee of the Centre for Global Nonkilling Honolulu Hawaii, member of the Board of Trustees of the Centre for Peace and Rehabilitation of Displaced Persons, member of the Board of Peace Service Academy, member of the Advisory Board of the Civilian Peace Service Canada, President of the Global Alliance for Ministries and Infrastructures for Peace (GAMIP), Chair, GAMIP-Africa (African Alliance for Peace), Chair, GAMIP-Nigeria (Nigerian Alliance for Peace), and Founder, Margaret Irene Peace Foundation.
MS KENDRA MON
UNITED STATES
SECRETARY
Kendra Mon is a retired social services worker with a Master’s
Degree in Education. She is a lifetime student of communication
and peacebuilding. A member of the National U.S. Department
of Peacebuilding Committee and the Peace Alliance, Kendra
currently lives in Tallahassee, Florida.
MR FURQUAN GEHLEN TREASURER
Furquan works in the industrial automation industry as an Automation Engineer with a background in Electrical Control Systems. He has been a peace and social justice activist since 1985 and has recently furthered his education by completing a ‘Certificate in International Development’ from UBC in 2012 and completing a Master’s degree in Peacebuilding from Royal Roads University in 2016.
He is currently serving as Treasurer with GAMIP. He is Co-Chair of the Vancouver chapter of Canadian Peace Initiative. From 2013 to 2019 he was the National Co-chair of Canadian Peace Initiative. He is a founding director of Canadian Muslim Peace Alliance. He is currently chapter coordinator for World BEYOND War’s Metro Vancouver chapter and is focused on developing a culture of peace in Canada and around the world. His passion is to make the world a better place by focusing on resolving problems at the root cause level and in a sustainable way. His goal is to have society progress so that war is no longer considered an acceptable activity for humans.
Born in Newcastle, England and living in the Metro Vancouver region since 1973, Furquan currently lives in North Delta with his wife and three children.
PROF. ALICIA CABEZUDO ARGENTINA
Professor Mrs. Alicia Cabezudo Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus at the School of Education University of Rosario / Argentina and at the UNESCO CHAIR on Culture of Peace and Human Rights at the National University of Buenos Aires/Argentina. Think Tank Member of the North South Centre of the Council of Europe and Consultant on Global Education and Citizenship Education of the North South Centre/ Council of Europe. Former Vice- President / actual Consultant of the International Peace Bureau – IPB – Representative of the Global Alliance for Ministries and Infrastructures for Peace – GAMIP – in Latin America & the Caribbean.
She is founding member of the Global Campaign on Peace Education – GCPE– and member of the International Association of Peace Educators – AIEP -; the Latin American Commission on Peace Research – CLAIP -; the International Peace Research Association – IPRA -; the International Association of Educating Cities – IAEC- and the Latin American Network on Human Rights Education.
She is University, Researcher, College Professor and Trainer on the fields of Peace,Citizenship and Human Rights Education.
Her work is rooted in Social Sciences Pedagogies and Education with a wide teaching experience at Latin American Universities, European Universities and local governments public policy Consultancy. She acts as annually Visiting Professor at the MA in Peace Education, UN University of Peace / Costa Rica; at the MA on Development, Conflict and Peace University Jaume I Castellon / Spain and the Institute on Peace and Dialogue, Baar – Switzerland. In the last ten years she is conducting Culture of Peace Summer Courses to Arab attendants at the Institute of Peace Studies in the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Alexandria / Egypt and at JEJU University / South Korea. She is Visiting Professor at Latin American Universities in Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Bolivia, Perú, Guatemala, Panamá, Costa Rica Puerto Rico and México. Also at European Universities and Research Centres in Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Germany and United Kingdom as well as Japanese Universities. Mrs Cabezudo is an Expert Consultant on Global Citizenship Education of the North South Centre of the Council of Europe. Presently she is based in Colombia where she instructed University Seminars on Peace, Citizenship and Conflict Resolution Education. She also conducted a social- education Research on Methodology and Tools for Training Educators on Building Culture of Peace beyond violence and war.
She is author of various books, publications and research articles in her specific expertise and education field.
Can be sent extended CV and publications list if needed
MS GEORGINA GALANIS
GLOBAL CITIZEN
Georgina Galanis is a Cultural Creative, spiritual intuitive, sacred social activist.
As the founder of THE COLORS OF LIFE concept and creativity consultant, she has guided individuals and non profit social agencies in expanded discovery and consciousness development using Lifestyle Mapping Formulas and Creativity Consulting for inside out freedom, a progressively expanding lens of compassionate awareness through which to view and manifest creative and changemaking potentials. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s ahimsa principals of non violence her passion for women’s leadership through art, culture, and buddhism practice are expressed through textile arts, poetry and cultural curation. A journey to her origins of Greece, France, Cambodia, and Indonesia’s silk and craft villages she worked with women’s textile weaving cooperatives, designing the Wisdom Cloth Collection – Ethnographic crafts and textiles designed into luxury bedding and home accessories used in transforming and initiating sacred space environs. These one of a kind pieces were presented in auction during the ART for HEALTH – Subarashi fundraising for a birthing hospital in Bangladesh, India 2014 NYC. Divinely guided to birth the Alchemists of the Imagine Nation~a group of global artists collaborating and expanding consciousness through art and spirituality aiding social causes.
Ms. Galanis has served on varied non profit boards since 1999 ~ As a founding member for The Association for Spirituality and Psychotherapy,NYC – A non profit network integrating Science, Spirituality and Psychotherapeutic Healing Modalities educating practitioners and community through conferences and events. She has acted as Creative Strategist for Organization for the Arts and Whole Brain Learning and VP of Development ATOP Humanitarian Outreach Curriculum Enrichment program facilitator. The exploration and study of diverse spiritual history and a sacred activist calling lead her to represent UN DGC, accredited NGO The Good News Agency. Ms Galanis was a 2010 Recipient of Orphans International Humanitarian Award, NYC. 2011 founding civil society advocate serving Global Movement for the Culture of Peace, founded by Ambassador Anwarul K Chowdhury www.gmcop.org a United Nations related community of world servers dedicated to awakening and educating towards the Culture of Peace, Programme of Action, Resolution #1325, Women Peace and Security. and as an organisational representative at the annual UN High Level Forum on COP. Co chair Advisory Council of Educators for CGC2030. and 2018 Board Member for Global Network for Sustainable Development, Outreach Chair for Global Alliance for Ministries and Infrastructures for Peace, 2021 Canadian Voice of Women for Peace award for Culture of Peace Education. As amanuensis and scribe to this eco liminal meditation entitled RSVP At the Table of the Anthropocene, an 11 stanza pandemic poetry initiative orated by 11 cultures – Ms Galanis continues to envision planetary consciousness evolution, curate creative energy and believe in the resiliency of the human spirit.
MS NANCY MERRIT
UNITED STATES
Nancy Merritt is a current and founding member of the National Department of Peacebuilding Committee (DoP). She is also a Board member of the Global Alliance for Ministries and Departments of Peace (GAMIP).
Nancy has been involved with peace and justice issues — including issues relating to the American Indian Movement and Tibet — for many years and has worked with the Peace Alliance/ Campaign for a Department of Peacebuilding since 2004. She has coordinated the work of the DoP groups with Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s (CA) office to introduce legislation and promote a cabinet-level Department of Peacebuilding. Nancy has also worked as part of the mighty California DoP team to secure endorsement by the CA Democratic Party (CDP) of DoP legislation, inclusion of peacebuilding ideals in CDP Platforms and passage of peacebuilding-related resolutions.
Nancy was born in Colorado and immigrated to California after attending Northwestern University in Illinois and graduating from Colorado University in Boulder. She worked as a journalist, a street artist and an employment discrimination/ civil rights paralegal.
Nancy particularly focuses on learning to listen to the earth and on building a peaceful and just world for generations to come, including her four sons, their partners and her three completely incredible grandchildren.
MR PAUL MAILLET
CANADA
Paul is a retired military officer who served in the Canadian military for 33 years in a period when Canada was dedicated to peacekeeping operations around the world.
Paul a former aerospace engineering Colonel in the Canadian Air Force retiring in 2001. Paul spent four years as Director of Defence Ethics in the Canadian Department of National Defence. Paul holds a Peace Professional Accreditation from the Civilian Peace Service Canada (CPSC).
Paul currently works in the field of peace services, organizational ethics, and controlling corruption measures. This has involved work for numerous Canadian federal government departments, Aboriginal communities and international projects in developing countries. Paul serves on the GAMIP Board of Directors and is on the Education, Outreach and UN committees.
MS ELIETH ZELEDON
NICARAGUA
An Architect by profession. With a background in project management and a passion for design, she delivered a unique combination of artistic talent and technical expertise. She has worked in many roles including Administrative, Marketing, Training and Development among other duties that helped her gain the knowledge and experience she now has. She also served as the Director of Human Resources for more than 18 years in a competitive company in her country, Nicaragua.
Since June 2020, she is a member of GAMIP Latin America and the Caribbean chapter. She is a Communications Officer, Outreach and Technical Support of GAMIP ALC. Along with these duties she also assists the GAMIP ALC General Secretary. The Coordination, Monitoring and Publicity of GAMIP ALC social networks is a priority without forgetting the creation of audiovisual pieces, programming and dissemination in social networks in all social media platforms. Member of the Steering Committee of GAMIP LAC. Member of the Commission of the VII GAMIP World Summit in Colombia 2022. Member of the International GAMIP Commission.
Passionate for Nature and Environment. An Animal lover and protector, but most importantly inspired by art in all its expressions. Affirms that education and empathy are fundamental to be better individuals in society.
MS EVELYN VOIGT
Evelyn, who serves on several GAMIP and other peacebuilding committees, is founding member of the Civilian Peace Service Canada – an NGO that has pioneered and piloted the first values- and competency-based assessment methodology for accrediting peace professionals ( http://www.civilianpeaceservice.ca ). Born a prisoner of war, Evelyn then alternated between running free on an isolated African farm and Dickensian-style boarding schools. From these extremes emerged a fascination with unity in diversity –reflected in her choice of citizenship (Canadian), profession (international development) and retirement (peacebuilding). In 2002 she was awarded the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for her ‘contribution to international development’. She is grateful to work and live on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe people.
MR VIJAY MEHTA
Vijay Mehta is a distinguished author and leading peace activist and a champion for Development and Human Rights. He is the chair of Uniting for Peace (www.unitingforpeace.org) and Founding Trustee of Fortune Forum Charity (www.fortuneforum.org) and a Director of GAMIP Board (Global Alliance for Ministries and Infrastructure for Peace). Currently, he started a campaign in 2022 for establishing Ministries / Departments for Peace in all the countries of Europe. The campaign is called GAMIP European Alliance / Chapter.
Working since 1979, uniting for Peace is a non-profit organisation devoted to creating and promoting a global culture of peace, nonviolence and poverty reduction. In 2016, Uniting for Peace have initiated a new campaign “Europe for Peace – Count Me In” (www.europeforpeace.org.uk) – It is an educational campaign aims to contribute positively to the upcoming UK referendum on EU’s membership highlighting the EU’s peace endeavours.
The charity Fortune Forum whose founder is Renu Mehta, daughter of Vijay Mehta, held summits (2005 and 2006) where Former US President Clinton, Former US Vice President Al Gore and Actor Michael Douglas were keynote speakers. The summits raised over a million pounds for charity and attracted a worldwide audience of 1.3 billion people (one fifth of humanity) including print and media coverage.
Vijay Mehta’s books include The Economics of Killing (2012), The Fortune Forum Code: For a Sustainable Future (2006), Arms No More (2005) and The United Nations and its Future in the 21st Century (2005). Vijay Mehta’s new book Peace Beyond Borders: How the EU brought peace to Europe and how exporting it would end conflicts around the world is now published in print and ebook by New Internationalist. The book contributes positively to the EU’s peace endeavours, with a foreword written by Jose Ramos-Horta, Nobel Peace Laureate and former president of Timor-Leste.
In 2014, Vijay Mehta’s bio, “The Audacity of Dreams” appeared in the book Karma Kurry, published by Jaico Publishing House (India). It included 25 other inspiring change-makers’ biographies. Nelson Mandela who wrote the foreword to the book, had this to say, “Ordinary people do extra ordinary things. These stories have that power to inspire people to rise and act, to make a difference.” To read Vijay Mehta’s full bio, please follow this link: http://goo.gl/JcUGwr
He has appeared in various TV programmes including BBC World, Press TV, Ajtak-24 hour Indian news channel, and Think Peace documentary, Canada, among others. The Sunday Times, The Sunday Mail, Independent, Observer and Guardian newspapers, among other journals have written about him. His life is devoted to the service of peace, humanity and our planet.
Vijay Mehta is the recipient of the Global Indian Karmaveer (Action hero) Puraskaar (Award) by iCONGO (International Confederation of NGO’s). He is now a noble-laureate 2012 – 2013 of the iCONGO team of advisors and mentors (www.icongo.in). It is an award for outstanding luminaries working for peace and social justice. He has been awarded as Global Peace Ambassador by Global Diversity Peace Centre London in 2015
In 2017, Vijay Mehta’s article, ‘Reforming the UN for the 21st Century’ was included in the anthology ‘Approaches to Peace’ edited by Prof. David P. Barash published by Oxford University Press, New York. The anthology feature classic and contemporary selection of work on peace which included Leo Tolstoy, Martin Luther King Jr., Pope Francis, Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu and Noam Chomsky among others.
“This book, Peace beyond Borders by Vijay Mehta, an astute non-European observer, uses this unprecedented, extraordinary experience as the centrepiece of a carefully crafted theory on the construction and maintenance of peace and prosperity on a global scale. It is my hope that many non-Europeans will use it as a source of inspiration as they attempt to carve out long-lasting peace in other parts of the world. “
Jose Ramos-Horta, Nobel Peace Laureate 1996 and Former President of Timor-Liste
“Vijay….a long standing activist for peace, development, human rights and environment”
The Sunday Times Magazine, London 1st February, 2009
“Vijay Mehta lends intellectual credibility to the project and wrote ‘The Fortune Forum Code for a Sustainable Future’, a sort of manifesto that will underpin the group’s future activities.”
The Independent, London 26 September 2006
“Thank you for all you do Vijay – both the Organisation and yourself are inspiration and give us all hope that both yourself and Uniting for Peace can bring a world without war. Indeed it is possible, even in our own time.”
Mairead Corrigan Maguire, Nobel Peace Laureate (1976)
“You have given UK, Europe, and the world much to think about and thanks for your wisdom good guidance.”
Glenn D. Paige, Founder, Center for Global Nonkilling
Vijay Mehta is among the 1,400 Notable Peacemakers Throughout History
http://peace.maripo.com/p_peacemakers.htm
He is among the 117 Peace Philanthropists around the world.
http://peace.maripo.com/p_philanthropy_bios.htm
MS. VILMA ALEJANDRA COLOMBIA
Vilma Alejandra Vega Monsalve
Professional Social Communication and Journalism.
University of Bogotá Jorge Tadeo Lozano. Colombia.
Social Communicator in social organizations and higher education institutions. Coordinator of Social Projects. Teacher, trainer, researcher and journalist.
- General Secretary for Latin America. GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR MINISTRIES & INFRASTRUCTURES FOR PEACE – GAMIP Latin America and Caribbean. 2020 – Currently.
- Social Media Support. Design of communication strategy for social networks.
- Journalist and Presenter Coordinator. Project “Arts for Peace”.
- Style Editor. “Systematization of the Participatory Processes of the District System of Art, Culture and Heritage of the Secretary of Culture.
- Teacher at Secondary School for Young People and Adults. Community Communication.
- Public Policies in Human Rights Education / Speaker. Human Rights Center – Emilio Mignone- National University of Quilmes.
- Professor of Human Rights and Applied Ethics. Community Police.
- Project Coordinator. ONG Fundazione Terre des Hommes-Italia – Corporación Sinapsis. Awareness and Prevention Project against mistreatment, abuse and trafficking of children and young people.
- Social Communicator and Journalist. ONG. National Forum for Colombia Foundation. Support professional in social projects. Writing of didactic material – Community Radio Program.
MS JO BERRY
UNITED KINGDOM
Jo Berry is a peace builder from the UK who works to resolve conflict around the world. Sixteen years after her father was killed by an IRA bomb, Jo first met with the man responsible, Pat Magee. This initial three-hour meeting led to them speaking on over three hundred occasions, on a shared platform around the world. Their unusual relationship has been told in the BBC documentary “Facing the Enemy”, was featured in the film “Beyond Right and Wrong”, and inspired “The Bomb”, a play by Kevin Dyer.
The founder of the charity ‘Building Bridges for Peace’, Jo advocates that unbounded empathy is the biggest weapon we have to end conflict. With political, religious and racial divides deepening as global and local events unfold, her words offer a message of hope and encourage us all to see the humanity in others.
Jo is frequently invited to address international conferences and seminars on themes of peace, conflict resolution and reconciliation. She has given talks and workshops in areas around the world including Lebanon and Rwanda, USA, India, Mexico, Europe, South Korea, Palestine and Israel as well as the U.K. Her unique reconciliation work is studied around the world by academics, students and professional peace builders.
Over the last years Jo has developed workshops in schools and with youth groups on topics of conflict transformation, storytelling, becoming positive changemakers, and challenging violent extremism. She is also working with businesses to support them in creating a culture of empathy and harmony. She is a TEDx speaker and a Visiting Fellow with the University of Nottingham (Research Primary Area in Rights and Justice). Jo is also trained as a Restorative Justice facilitator and is an advocate for Restorative Justice around the country.
‘Jo’s life and work over the past three decades is testimony to an extraordinary individual. The empathy, humanity and wisdom inherent in the steps Jo has taken, and continues to take, defines the notion of building bridges for peace and is an inspiration for those of us who work to reimagine what it takes to transform relationships broken by conflict.’
Jonathan Cohen, Executive Director Conciliation Resources