Our Work
The scope of our covers the following areas
Peacebuilding
Positive Peace Ambassador. Advocacy and capacity building in partnership with the Alliance for Peacebuilding, Mediators Beyond Borders International, the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), and The Global Diplomatic Forum.
ARAC International effectively harnesses its partnerships with key organizations like the Alliance for Peacebuilding, Mediators Beyond Borders International, and the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) to support and advocate for robust peacebuilding initiatives. As a Positive Peace Ambassador, ARAC plays a crucial role in advocacy and capacity building. Through its collaboration with the Alliance for Peacebuilding, ARAC participates in developing and promoting strategies that address the root causes of conflict. Working with Mediators Beyond Borders International, ARAC enhances its mediation techniques, providing essential skills to resolve conflicts at both community and international levels. Additionally, the partnership with the Institute for Economics and Peace enables ARAC to integrate the IEP's Positive Peace framework into its programs, focusing on creating and sustaining the attitudes, institutions, and structures that foster peaceful societies. These collaborative efforts empower ARAC to offer comprehensive peacebuilding solutions, contributing significantly to global efforts in creating a more peaceful and resilient world.
Human Rights
In partnership with the U.S. Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights
ARAC International's role in Human Rights Advocacy is significantly bolstered by its certification and consultancy status with the U.S. Institute for Diplomacy and Human Rights. This prestigious affiliation enables ARAC to delve deeply into the human rights dimensions underlying socioeconomic issues and various crises. As a certified member and consultant, ARAC has privileged access to a wealth of knowledge, resources, and networks that are instrumental in understanding and addressing human rights concerns globally. This partnership empowers ARAC to analyze situations not just from a political or economic perspective, but through a human rights lens, ensuring a more holistic approach to problem-solving. The U.S. Institute for Diplomacy and Human Rights provides ARAC with the latest research, best practices, and policy developments in the field of human rights. This, in turn, equips ARAC to advocate effectively for human rights, craft informed strategies, and implement solutions that are respectful of and aligned with international human rights standards. By viewing issues through this lens, ARAC is able to identify the human rights implications of various challenges, advocate for the protection and promotion of these rights, and contribute to building more equitable and just societies.
Media Literacy
Resources provided by Ad Fontes Media
ARAC International focuses on enhancing media literacy and advocacy and strategically utilizes resources from Ad Fontes Media to effectively educate NGO staff, the general public, and local communities. Ad Fontes Media, known for its media bias chart and rigorous content analysis, offers a comprehensive framework for assessing the reliability and bias in news sources. By leveraging these tools, ARAC International conducts workshops and training sessions to improve critical thinking skills among its participants, enabling them to discern between fact-based reporting and biased or misleading information. This collaboration empowers individuals to make informed decisions and participate more actively in democratic processes, fostering a more media-literate society. Additionally, ARAC International utilizes Ad Fontes' resources to develop tailored media literacy programs that address the specific needs and challenges faced by communities and NGOs in navigating the complex media landscape.
NGO Security Risk Management
In partnership with IOSI Global, DisasterReady.org, and INSSA
ARAC International strategically amplifies its impact through alliances with the International NGO Safety and Security Association (INSSA) and DisasterReady.org. These partnerships are pivotal in offering advanced support, training, and advocacy for NGOs operating in challenging environments. By collaborating with INSSA, ARAC gains access to a wealth of expertise and resources in security risk management tailored specifically for NGOs. This enables them to provide cutting-edge training and support to NGO personnel, ensuring they are well-equipped to handle the complex security challenges they may face in the field. The partnership with DisasterReady.org further enhances ARAC's capabilities, as it provides access to a vast library of online training courses and resources focusing on disaster preparedness and response. This collaboration allows ARAC to offer comprehensive, up-to-date training modules on security risk management, emergency response, and crisis management, ensuring that NGO staff are not only prepared for the risks they may encounter but are also effective in mitigating and managing these risks. Through these alliances, ARAC International stands at the forefront of advocating for and enhancing the safety and security of NGOs globally, ensuring they can carry out their critical missions in even the most challenging contexts.
Research, Analysis and Technical Support
In partnership with Lladner Business Solutions, LLC and IOSI Global
ARAC International's mission is significantly enhanced by its utilization of services from a broad spectrum of vendors, including tech providers like Google, Microsoft, and Salesforce, specialized software like Maltego, and various open-source tools. This diverse technological arsenal is key in conducting in-depth research and analysis, developing user-friendly web portals, executing strategic communications, and creating insightful data visualizations. Each of these tools plays a specific role: Google's suite enhances collaborative research and data management; Microsoft's range of software supports everything from basic office tasks to complex analytical functions; Salesforce aids in managing relationships and interactions with stakeholders; and Maltego offers advanced capabilities for digital forensics and information gathering. Additionally, the use of open-source tools reflects ARAC's commitment to accessibility and adaptability, allowing for cost-effective solutions and the ability to tailor tools to specific project needs. This comprehensive use of technology enables ARAC to stay at the forefront of data-driven analysis and decision-making, ensuring that their strategies and communications are both effective and impactful in advancing their work across various domains, from human rights advocacy to security risk management.
Global Security Advocacy
Global security advocacy work involves a range of activities aimed at promoting and improving security at a global level. This work is often multifaceted, addressing various aspects of security, from physical safety and conflict resolution to cybersecurity and human rights. Key elements of global security advocacy include:
Awareness and Education: Advocacy often involves raising awareness about global security issues, educating the public, policymakers, and other stakeholders about threats and challenges. This could include disseminating information about conflict zones, cybersecurity threats, or the impact of global policies on security.
Policy Influence and Development: Advocates work to influence public policy and decision-making processes related to global security. This could involve lobbying for certain policies, providing expertise to policymakers, or participating in policy development to ensure that global security concerns are addressed.
Human Rights Protection: A significant aspect of global security advocacy is the protection and promotion of human rights. Advocates may work to ensure that government actions, conflict resolutions, and international relations are conducted in accordance with human rights standards.
Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding: Efforts in mediation, negotiation, and conflict resolution are central to global security advocacy. This involves working in conflict zones to mediate disputes, training individuals in conflict resolution techniques, or participating in peacebuilding initiatives.
Research and Analysis: Conducting research and analysis on global security issues is crucial. This involves monitoring and analyzing geopolitical developments, security threats, and their implications on a global scale.
Networking and Coalition Building: Advocates often work within networks or form coalitions with other organizations, governments, and entities to amplify their impact. Collaboration is key in addressing complex, global issues.
Direct Intervention: In some cases, global security advocates might engage in direct intervention in crisis situations, either by providing humanitarian aid, engaging in diplomatic efforts, or through other means of direct support.
Capacity Building: Building the capacity of local communities, governments, and organizations to deal with security challenges is another aspect. This includes training, resource allocation, and knowledge transfer.
Advocacy for International Law and Standards: Advocating for the adherence to international laws and standards, such as International Humanitarian Law and conventions on warfare, arms control, and the treatment of civilians and prisoners of war.
Technology and Innovation for Security: Leveraging technology and innovation to enhance global security, including cybersecurity measures, surveillance technologies for peacekeeping, or innovative solutions for conflict prevention and resolution.
Global security advocacy is inherently interdisciplinary, requiring expertise in international relations, law, human rights, technology, conflict resolution, and more. The work is critical in shaping a more secure, peaceful, and just world
Human Rights Advocacy
Human rights advocacy work involves a range of activities and initiatives aimed at promoting and protecting human rights at both the local and global levels. It is grounded in the principles of human dignity, equality, and respect for individual rights and freedoms. The key elements of human rights advocacy work include:
Awareness Raising and Education: Advocates educate the public, policymakers, and other stakeholders about human rights issues. This involves disseminating information, conducting public campaigns, and organizing educational programs to raise awareness about rights violations and the importance of human rights.
Monitoring and Reporting Violations: Human rights advocates often engage in monitoring and documenting human rights abuses. This can involve field investigations, collecting testimonies, and preparing reports on human rights conditions in specific regions or concerning specific issues.
Legal Advocacy: This includes using legal systems to promote and protect human rights. It can involve litigating human rights cases in courts, submitting cases or reports to international human rights bodies, or providing legal assistance to victims of rights violations.
Policy Advocacy and Lobbying: Advocates work to influence policy at local, national, and international levels. They lobby for the development, implementation, and enforcement of laws and policies that protect human rights and seek to reform laws and practices that violate them.
Support and Empowerment of Rights-Holders: Human rights advocacy involves empowering individuals and communities to understand and claim their rights. This can include capacity building, providing resources for grassroots movements, and supporting initiatives led by those directly affected by human rights issues.
Campaigning and Mobilization: Advocates often organize campaigns and mobilize public opinion to bring about change. These campaigns can target specific human rights issues, seek to influence policy decisions, or support individuals or groups whose rights are at risk.
Networking and Coalition Building: Building networks and coalitions with other organizations, activists, and stakeholders is a key strategy. Collaboration can amplify efforts, share resources, and create a united front for human rights advocacy.
Engagement with International Mechanisms: Human rights advocates often engage with international mechanisms, such as the United Nations Human Rights Council, to bring attention to human rights issues and seek international support and intervention.
Crisis Response: Responding to human rights crises, such as conflicts, natural disasters, or political upheavals, where there is a heightened risk of human rights abuses.
Cultural and Social Advocacy: This includes efforts to change social and cultural norms that lead to human rights abuses. Advocates may work to shift public attitudes and behaviors around issues like gender equality, racial discrimination, or freedom of expression.
Research and Analysis: Conducting in-depth research and analysis on human rights issues is crucial to inform advocacy strategies and policy recommendations.
Human rights advocacy is not limited to these activities and can take many forms, depending on the context and the specific human rights issues being addressed. Advocates can work in NGOs, international organizations, grassroots groups, legal practices, or independently. The overarching goal is to ensure that all individuals can exercise their rights and freedoms, as enshrined in international human rights laws and norms.