Three Peace Forces: The Khudai Khidmitgars, Shanti Sena and Nonviolent Peaceforce

Twenty years before former UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros Ghali made them widely
known in 1992, Galtung identified three strategies for peace—peacekeeping, peacemaking, and
1 th peacebuilding. In midst of probably the most violent century in all of human history, the 20
century, a gamut of organized nonviolent groups have implemented all three strategies. Some of these groups were sufficiently organized, trained and disciplined that comparisons between them and traditional armies were made. The Khudai Khidmitgars (KKs), Shanti Sena and Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) are three of the most compelling examples of nonviolent forces. This essay highlights distinct and important differences beyond their common desire to resolve violent conflicts and create peace without resorting to violence. It argues that despite their differing peace strategies and contrasting ethno-religious and political ambitions, there are key parallels in their peacekeeping roles, training, and their spirit of service and self-sacrifice.