About Aman
Our history, mission and philosophy
About Us
AMAN envisages a pro-active role for civil society in the reduction of conflict and the mitigation of its effects. Its philosophy is based on the concepts of ahimsa and samrastha (non-violence and harmony).
In the area of non-governmental civic initiatives, the rationale for AMAN arises from a recognition that man-made disasters must be added to those caused by natural calamity. While relief is imperative in the aftermath of a disaster, a purely reactive approach is insufficient, even in the context of natural disasters.
All of Aman's networking, sensitisation, research and legal aid programmes aim at strengthening social institutions and resources for the anticipation and prevention of conflict, and at non-violent conflict resolution.
Genesis
The genesis of AMAN may be traced back to the numerous anti-communal civic action groups that emerged after the Delhi carnage of 1984, in the wake of the targeting of the Sikhs. Many of those who set up AMAN were involved in relief work for the victims of communal violence and subsequent voluntary action to prevent further such outbreaks.
In the course of their work, they gradually came to understand that peace could not be achieved by passivity, but by identifying sources of social discontent and defusing tension through positive rebuilding of social conditions and relations.
The present group evolved out of working together for five years in the Violence Mitigation and Amelioration Project (VMAP) of Oxfam (India) Trust, and supported by the Ford Foundation. The programme began in late 1997 and ended in April 2003, after carrying out a number of activities related to different aspects of conflict in India. Many of AMAN's present programmes were initiated during VMAP.
Strategy & Perspective
AMAN believes that the consequences of man-made disasters are increasingly evident in India today. These include:
- • The thousands of bereaved and single-parent families
- • The growing number of refugees and orphans who face an uncertain future
- • The erosion of state institutions that are meant to resolve conflict
- • The growth of sectarian and intolerant attitudes
- • The spread of prejudice among children and young adults
- • The increasing acceptance of violence, the normalisation of brutality
- • The neglect of marginalised peoples and voices
- • The daily struggle faced by women, men and children living with traumatic memories
AMAN considers it imperative to prevent such disasters or reduce their impact. We take a pro-active approach to conflict. Our projects focus on the social and psychological rehabilitation of people made invisible by conflict, especially orphans, refugees and widows.
AMAN's networking, sensitisation and legal-aid programmes strengthen democratic institutions and develop society's resources for non-violent conflict resolution.
Activities
Aman's activities consist of three elements
Sensitisation & Awareness
Sensitisation and awareness on conflict-related issues for developing civic restraint, including the dissemination of cultural resources for conflict prevention.
Partnerships
Partnerships with voluntary groups and organisations that have a potential for autonomous activity in Aman’s areas of concern.
Service Provision
Service provision to persons in need of rehabilitation, including displaced persons and those affected by the psycho-social consequences of conflict.
AMAN's programmes are designed for long-term social effects, even as they address immediate problems. In a broad sense they are pedagogical in nature, for they are meant to enhance society's intellectual and professional resources for democratic institution-building and the reduction of practices that lead to social tension and violence.
Its programmes require regular interaction with persons of diverse backgrounds — young citizens and students, NGO workers, women's and workers' organisations, officials and media-persons.
The Trustees are persons with many years of experience in research and advocacy on conflict-related issues. Their decision to establish a Trust devoted to the reduction of social tensions is based on the conviction that civil society can play a crucial role towards this end. We intend for Aman's projects to contribute to this social responsibility.
Programme Design
AMAN's programmes are managed by a central office and implemented under six major portfolios. AMAN's library, archives and website are important pedagogical resources for work on peace-building.
Gender, Mental Health and Conflict
Works on the impact of conflict on women, children, the marginalised and old people, addressing psychological distress, trauma, loss of employment, domestic violence and the rise of orphans and single women. Interviews, discussions, counsellor training and mental health workshops are used to address these issues.
Campaign for Non-violent Conflict Resolution
Uses written, theatrical and audio-visual materials to address the phenomenon of rising violence, disseminating values of nonviolence and civic restraint and studying the processes that create conflict.
Pedagogy for Social Peace and Civic Restraint
Collaborates with universities and institutions to design and teach syllabi on peace and conflict issues, supporting civic initiatives among children, college students and professionals.
Human Security, Citizenship and Law
Works for institutional reform and service provision on citizenship and the rights of people affected by conflict, including examination of judgements and advocacy on the criminal justice system.
Social Resources and Caste Conflict
Addresses the socioeconomic and cultural predicament of oppressed groups and informal labour, examining caste conflict to design programmes for its mitigation and advocacy for social justice.
Culture, Symbols and Identities
Works on traditions of Indian spirituality parallel to organised religion, examining symbols and identities to emphasise communal harmony and the social responsibilities of the individual.
"Peace could not be achieved by passivity, but by identifying sources of social discontent and defusing tension through positive rebuilding."