Background
Accompaniment is a form of international peacemaking that emerged during the 1980s in North America. The theory behind accompaniment is this — the presence of international accompaniers in troubled areas deters violence and harassment since abuses will be reported through human rights organizations and churches' global networks. Churches used this strategy to protect Central Americans in the 1980s. Eyewitness accounts of the wars there helped change United States policy in the region, according to a news release from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Organizations such as Peace Brigades International, Christian Peacemaker Teams and Voices in the Wilderness send volunteers on short- and longterm assignments to areas of conflict around the world. The volunteers work within communities that request their presence, to document human rights abuses, protect local peacemakers, aid in conflict resolution, and live among and with the oppressed. It is inspired in part by the Gandhian concept of a "Shanti Sena," or "Peace Army." Since the concept's beginnings, accompaniers have been sent to aid in conflicts in Nicaragua, Sri Lanka, the Balkans, the Kenora region of Ontario, Iraq, Palestine and Colombia.

Biblical/Theological Dimensions
"Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry for help, and the LORD will say, 'Here I am.' If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday ... Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in" (Isaiah 58: 9–10, 12).

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Position
At the request of the Presbyterian Church of Colombia, the General Assembly Council decided in September 2004 to begin a consistent, long-term presence of accompaniers in Colombia through a joint partnership of the Worldwide Ministries Division and the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program. The Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, an advocacy organization that petitions the PC(USA) on policy issues dealing with violence and war, has joined in the effort. The 214th General Assembly (2002) approved a resolution on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict that included an invitation for members to participate in the World Council of Churches' Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme.

Taking a Stand: A Guide to Peace Teams and Accompaniment Projects, by Elizabeth F. Boardman (Gabriola Island, BC: New Society Publishers, 2005), is a guide to organizations that sponsor accompaniment and peace teams. The book describes what to expect if you participate in a peace team or accompaniment project.

Unarmed Bodyguards: International Accompaniment for the Protection of Human Rights, by Liam Mahoney and Luis Enrique Eguren (Bloomfield, Conn.: Kumarian Press, 1997), tells about the success of Peace Brigades International's accompaniment program.

Christian Peacemaker Teams
Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) arose from a call in 1984 for Christians to devote the same discipline and self-sacrifice to nonviolent peacemaking that armies devote to war. Find photos and reports from the countries where teams are at work.

Presbyterian Peace Fellowship
Presbyterian Peace Fellowship is a national community of Presbyterians who witness within the PC(USA) to active, nonviolent peacemaking and join other nonviolent groups to work for peace in trouble spots around the world. This site describes the work of PPF and tells how individuals can participate.

Peace Brigades International
Peace Brigades International (PBI) sends international accompaniment teams into areas of conflict, at the invitation of local organizations. Learn about its work.

Voices in the Wilderness
Formed in 1996, Voices in the Wilderness focuses on challenging, by nonviolent means, the economic and military campaigns against Iraq.

Witness for Peace
Learn about the work of Witness for Peace, a nationwide grassroots organization of people committed to nonviolence and led by faith and conscience.