Parchment

Chief Executive officer (CEO) of the Dispute Resolution Foundation, Donna Parchment, is appealing for funds to establish at least 30 peace and justice centres islandwide.

"I call on the international donor community, public sector, private sector and well-thinking individuals who believe that it is the partnership among civil society, the private sector, the public sector and citizens that builds a strong, safe country to support our work," Ms. Parchment said recently. "We look as if we are doing very well because we are busy working on a shoe string budget, but more money would greatly enhance our service delivery."

According to Ms. Parchment, the peace and justice centres, for the most part, would replace the community centres that once existed for home economics and sports.

Train volunteers

"What we are trying to do with the peace and justice centres is to train volunteers who will manage the centres, and seek funding to support ongoing activities," she said.

"The justice centres, restorative justice, regular conferences and training - these provide the framework or the foundation for delivery of the key services. Peace and justice centres are local activities in communities which build pride and competence in communities to resolve their conflicts," Ms. Parchment said.

Ms. Parchment said the foundation was looking to the Ministry of National Security, the Ministry of Justice, the United Nations Development Programme and other partners to come on board and give sustained funding for the work of the centres.

She argued that the development of the peace and justice centres would provide focal points for dispute resolution and other community services to be offered in an organised way, in a facility that was locally owned and managed, but part of a larger network.

Paul Hines, coordinator of the parish network at the foundation, said there were currently four peace and justice centres islandwide.

These are located in Spanish Town, St. Catherine; Flankers, St. James and Trench Town and the foundation in Kingston. He also noted that there are eight mediation centres islandwide.

However, Ms. Parchment emphasised that all the parishes are covered.

"In every parish, we have established a peace and justice centre or a mediation centre or a service point, so the level of development of each one is different," she said.