Mark Peters's Page

What motivated you to become involved in peace and conflict resolution?

My motivation is primarily faith-based (I'm a Vatican II Catholic inspired by John XXIII and Dorothy Day), but also in a deep-seated anger at injustice, which I realize is best dealt with through a commitment to nonviolence. Finally, as a parish consultant for ten years, I had the opportunity to facilitate various types of group and even a few one-on-one meetings in which conflict resolution and/or the need to find consensus was the primary aim, and found I have some skills in this area.

Please feel free to provide a short bio about yourself (no more than 3 paragraphs)

I was born in 1957, the time of Sputnik and the Cold War, and in my early years sensed the JFK-type optimism that seemed to permeate the country. I grew up in a typical middle-class family in Milwaukee and went to public schools as busing was just beginning. Then came JFK's assassination and later those of RFK and MLK, along with the civil rights struggles, Vietnam war and Watergate. Although I was too young to be deeply affected by these events, they nonetheless had their impact on my psyche.

In the mid-70's, I went spent five years in Catholic seminary. These were the most formative years of my life for at least two reasons: the influence of the progressive priests, classes and reading; and the experience of living in community (about 150 students both in high school and the two years I spent in college there). I also went on a mission trip to Appalachia and was exposed to the fledgling organization Bread for the World, with which I became involved locally in a leadership role. I left in 1977, graduated with a BA in Philosophy from Marquette, married my high school sweetheart, worked on a Democratic political campaign and ultimately got a job working in a suburban parish coordinating service activities, justice education and advocacy. Along the way we had three daughters.

After 14 years, my marriage broke up, I continued to be the primary parent for my daughters, and I went on to work for the Archdiocese. After 25 years of church work, I find myself laid off for the fourth time and looking for other career options. Most recently, I organized a group of local Catholics against the occupation of Iraq and have helped to found a new 50-organization, 2000-member community organization called Common Ground, affiliated with the IAF out of Chicago. I'm hoping to translate my skills and experience into a new career focused on social change or justice and peace education.

Please list the countries and/or regions in which you have direct and significant expertise

Primarily Milwaukee-Chicago area, though have traveled to the west and east coasts, Mexico and Europe.

What is your current country of residence?

USA

What is your current job (and organization) and/or where and what field are you studying?

Currently unemployed

What is your personal or organizational website?

http://none at present

What is one of your favorite websites in the field? (please provide one answer per box)

http://www.catholicsforpeaceandjustice.org

What is one of your favorite websites in the field? (please provide one answer per box)

http://www.sojourners.org

Which are your primary sectoral areas of expertise?

Peacebuilding, Conflict Resolution, Education, Civil Society, Organizational Development

Which are your primary skills areas?

Program Administration, Advocacy, Research