1.       PRINCIPLES OF THE DO NO HARM APPROACH

• Ethical Considerations:

Peace by Youth’s (PY) Do No Harm Policy is anchored in a strong ethical framework. This includes adhering to principles of integrity, honesty, and accountability in all operations. The policy mandates conducting regular ethical reviews of projects to ensure that they align with both organizational values and the broader principles of social responsibility. This includes avoiding exploitation, respecting human rights, and ensuring that actions do not inadvertently exacerbate existing inequalities or conflicts.

• Respect for Local Culture and Norms:

PY recognizes the importance of respecting and understanding the local culture and norms of the communities it serves. The policy requires all PY initiatives to be sensitive to local traditions and values. Before implementing any project, a thorough cultural assessment will be conducted to understand the community dynamics, beliefs, and practices. PY commits to adapting its approaches to align with local customs, thereby ensuring that interventions are culturally appropriate and respectful.

• Non-Discrimination and Inclusivity:

Fundamental to PY’s approach is the commitment to non-discrimination and inclusivity. The policy ensures that all PY’s programs and activities are accessible to everyone, regardless of race, gender, age, religion, or socioeconomic status. This involves actively identifying and removing barriers to participation, ensuring that programs are designed and implemented in a way that is inclusive and equitable. PY also commits to promoting diversity within its workforce and leadership, reflecting the varied backgrounds and experiences of the communities it serves.

2.       APPLICATION IN PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES

• Identifying and Mitigating Risks:

Peace by Youth (PY) integrates a comprehensive risk assessment and mitigation approach into all its programs and activities. This process involves identifying potential risks to the communities, environment, and stakeholders involved in any project. Once risks are identified, PY develops and implements strategies to mitigate them. This includes revising project plans, incorporating safety measures, and establishing contingency plans. Regular monitoring and assessment ensure that any emerging risks are promptly addressed.

• Incorporating Local Knowledge and Perspectives:

PY prioritizes the inclusion of local knowledge and perspectives in its programs. This approach involves engaging with community members, local leaders, and experts to gather insights and feedback during the planning and implementation phases. PY recognizes that local communities possess valuable knowledge about their context, challenges, and needs. Incorporating this local wisdom ensures that PY’s interventions are relevant, effective, and sustainable.

• Sustainable and Environmentally Conscious Practices:

In line with its commitment to sustainability, PY adopts environmentally conscious practices in all its operations. This commitment is reflected in the careful consideration of environmental impacts during project planning and execution. PY strives to minimize its ecological footprint by promoting sustainable practices, such as using renewable resources, reducing waste, and encouraging environmentally friendly behaviors. Moreover, PY actively educates and empowers communities in environmental stewardship, fostering a culture of sustainability.

4. STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND PARTICIPATION

• Involving Communities and Beneficiaries:

Peace by Youth (PY) emphasizes active involvement of communities and beneficiaries in its projects. This involves conducting community meetings, focus group discussions, and surveys to gather input and feedback. PY ensures that community members are not just recipients of aid but active participants in the planning and implementation processes. This approach recognizes the value of local expertise and promotes ownership of projects by those directly affected.

• Collaborative Decision-Making Processes:

PY adopts collaborative decision-making processes, involving stakeholders at all levels in making choices about project directions and priorities. This includes creating platforms for dialogue between PY, community representatives, local authorities, and other stakeholders. By doing so, PY ensures that decisions are made collectively, reflecting the diverse needs and aspirations of all parties involved.

• Building Trust and Ensuring Transparency:

Building trust with communities and maintaining transparency in all operations is a cornerstone of PY’s approach. This is achieved by openly communicating intentions, processes, and outcomes of projects. PY commits to regular reporting to stakeholders, including transparent financial reporting and sharing of project results. Engaging in honest communication and providing clear, accessible information helps PY build and maintain trust with all stakeholders.

5. MONITORING AND EVALUATION

• Continuous Assessment of Impact:

Peace by Youth (PY) implements a robust system for continuously assessing the impact of its programs. This involves the use of both quantitative and qualitative metrics to measure outcomes against predefined objectives. Regular impact assessments help PY understand the effectiveness of its initiatives and identify areas for improvement.

• Feedback Mechanisms and Reporting:

PY establishes clear feedback mechanisms that allow beneficiaries, community members, and other stakeholders to share their experiences and perceptions of PY’s projects. This feedback is collected through surveys, interviews, and community meetings. Regular reporting of feedback and assessment results is conducted to ensure transparency and to keep stakeholders informed about the progress and impact of initiatives.

• Adapting and Improving Practices:

Based on the insights gained from monitoring and evaluation, as well as stakeholder feedback, PY continuously adapts and improves its practices. This iterative process ensures that PY’s programs remain relevant, effective, and responsive to the evolving needs and contexts of the communities it serves. The organization is committed to learning and evolving, thereby enhancing its capacity to create positive social impact.

6. TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING

• Educating Staff and Volunteers:

Peace by Youth (PY) prioritizes the education and continuous training of its staff and volunteers to uphold the principles of its Do No Harm Policy. This includes regular workshops, seminars, and training sessions on various aspects of social work, ethical practices, and the specific challenges of working in diverse and dynamic environments.

• Developing Skills for Ethical Decision-Making:

PY integrates training modules focused on ethical decision-making into its capacity-building programs. These modules are designed to equip staff and volunteers with the skills to make informed and ethical decisions, particularly in complex and sensitive situations.

• Promoting a Culture of Awareness and Sensitivity:

PY fosters a culture of awareness and sensitivity among its team members towards the needs and circumstances of the communities they serve. This involves training in cultural competence, empathy, and effective communication, ensuring that all interactions with communities are respectful, considerate, and understanding of diverse perspectives.

7. ACCOUNTABILITY AND REPORTING

• Mechanisms for Reporting Harm or Grievances:

Peace by Youth (PY) establishes clear and accessible mechanisms for stakeholders, including community members, staff, and partners, to report any harm or grievances experienced as a result of PY’s activities. This includes dedicated communication channels such as hotlines, email addresses, and suggestion boxes, ensuring confidentiality and ease of access.

• Response Strategies for Incidents:

PY develops a structured response strategy for addressing reported incidents of harm. This strategy includes prompt investigation, resolution of issues, and provision of support to affected parties. The response process is designed to be transparent, fair, and timely.

• Documentation and Learning from Experiences:

All reports of harm or grievances, along with the outcomes of investigations and responses, are thoroughly documented. PY uses this documentation to analyze patterns, learn from experiences, and implement changes to prevent future occurrences. This process of continuous learning and improvement is integral to maintaining PY’s commitment to do no harm.

8. POLICY REVIEW AND UPDATE

• Regular Review Process:

Peace by Youth (PY) establishes a regular review process for its Do No Harm Policy. This involves periodic evaluations to assess the policy’s effectiveness and relevance. The review process takes into consideration the evolving context in which PY operates, ensuring the policy remains aligned with current best practices, legal standards, and the needs of communities.

• Updating Policy in Response to Emerging Challenges:

PY remains adaptable to emerging challenges and changes in the operational environment. The policy update process involves incorporating new insights, learning from experiences, and responding to new risks or issues that arise in PY’s areas of operation.

• Stakeholder Involvement in Policy Updates:

PY involves a range of stakeholders, including staff, community members, and partners, in the policy review and update process. This inclusive approach ensures that diverse perspectives are considered, and the policy remains grounded in the reality of PY’s work and the communities it serves.

9. CONCLUSION

• Summary of Commitments:

Peace by Youth (PY) reaffirms its commitment to the Do No Harm principle through this policy. The organization is dedicated to ensuring that all its activities are ethically sound, culturally respectful, inclusive, and environmentally conscious. PY pledges to maintain accountability, engage actively with stakeholders, and continually assess and improve its practices.

• Future Directions and Aspirations:

Looking forward, PY aspires to enhance its impact while steadfastly adhering to the Do No Harm ethos. The organization aims to evolve and adapt its strategies to meet emerging challenges, incorporating innovative approaches and fostering a culture of continuous learning. PY is committed to deepening its engagements with communities, expanding its reach, and making a lasting, positive difference in the lives of those it serves.