While youth activists in the U.S. are significantly engaged in movements for racial and environmental justice, those who have come of age in a post-9/11 world have known nothing but endless war and are not likely to question our culture of violence and ecological devastation rooted in White Supremacy and the role of nuclear weapons in the U.S. military arsenal. Seeding Peacekeepers will share information with young organizers about the multi-racial history and current dangers of on forever wars, nuclear weapons and the culture of violence,
Seeding Peacekeepers, a project of United for Peace and Justice (UFPJ), seeks to identify, support, and “train up” young activists, prioritizing those from BIPOC communities across the U.S., to become leaders who reject fear, violence, militarism, and continuing conflict as “normal”, and who will promote equity, justice, and a recognition of the connections all beings have to one another and the planet. The trainings will particularly emphasize the social, economic, and political impacts of war, the dual existential threats of nuclear weapons and climate change, and the need to address oppression at all levels of society in order to create a more equitable and sustainable global order.
Over a period of 26 weeks, UFPJ’s National Organizer, George Friday (she/they), a nationally recognized expert in confronting racism, oppression, and privilege to build power, will conduct trainings for project participants who will develop workplans for local work. Trainees will organize educational online webinars and Town Halls focused on issues they have identified and that connect to peace and justice issues in their own communities. Ideally these young leaders will go on to support and sustain intersectional, multi-issue organizations and networks for the long term.
We are seeking activist minded young people to work in teams and undertake projects of their own design that advance reform, spur debate, and catalyze change on a range of issues connected to war & militarism. Projects could range from public education and protest to grassroots organizing and policy advocacy to social media campaigns and other forms of movement building.
Here is what you can share with a perspective participant;
We want to identify young individuals who are committed to building political awareness & activism within their organizations and in their community to work for justice, defend bottom-up democracy and promote international human rights. We are a partner of the National Poor People’s Campaign so we will invite participants to embrace their analysis and policy recommendations.
These organizers can expect to;
- be a part of an activist team, receive training and learn about local and National peace and justice issues and efforts,
- have access to field experts on U.S. foreign policy and military intervention,
- use UFPJ resources to take action on key legislation,
- design and implement strategies to make desired impacts in your district, the state, and in Washington, D.C.
Participants will convene with staff biweekly for 2-3 hours for the first 3-4 months and then have with one-on-one check-in calls (or Zoom meetings) as needed in the 2-3 month period when they are designing and implementing their projects. The time commitment is about 6 hours per week and interns will receive a $200 stipend to defray expenses.
TO APPLY: Email George Friday at info.ufpj(at)gmail.com with the subject line: APPLICATION: Seeding Peacekeeper
