Home > Latest News	Print View

Staff at Peace and Hope International in Minneapolis, Minnesota: Colleen Beebe (left), Stina Kielsmeier-Cook (center), and Lorri Rice (right)

Paz y Esperanza Opens Office in USA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Minneapolis, MN – September 22, 2010 – Paz y Esperanza, an international Christian human rights organization whose mission is to promote justice for people and communities who suffer injustice and poverty, opened its first USA-based office, Peace and Hope International, in Minneapolis, MN on April 1, 2010. Peace and Hope International, together with a corresponding office in Peru, will oversee international operations for this growing organization in the areas of development, communications, advocacy, education, and volunteer programming. Locally, Peace and Hope helps ensure access to justice for low-income persons through free legal services in Minnesota.

On November 14, 2010, Peace and Hope International will host its “Champions for Justice” annual benefit dinner and silent auction. The fundraiser will support legal services for women and children victimized by sexual and domestic violence in Huánuco, Peru, a region with one of the highest rates of violence against women in the world.

“The opening of Peace and Hope International in Minnesota brings a face to global injustice,” said Benjamin Theison, board president. “Through this intentional presence here in the United States, we will be able to continue to advocate, fundraise, and bring awareness to the justice seeking mission of our various offices throughout the Americas.”

For nearly 15 years, Paz y Esperanza has been a leader in promoting and defending human rights in the Americas and currently operates in Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and the USA. Paz y Esperanza has an impressive track record of promoting social justice from a faith perspective, notably in conflict resolution, building the capacity of the church to promote justice, advocating for rights of indigenous communities, and combating violence against women and children. The organization was instrumental in helping to establish the Peruvian Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Micah Network, a worldwide coalition of over 500 Christian justice organizations.

Paz y Esperanza was started by a group of Peruvian professionals, pastors, and church members in response to growing political violence against indigenous people in Peru. Between 1996 and 2010, Paz y Esperanza has grown from a five-person Peruvian non-profit to become an international human rights organization with a staff of over 125 people in four countries. Its staff is comprised of professionals with expertise in areas such as human rights, social justice, advocacy, psychological rehabilitation of victims of different types of abuse, peaceful conflict resolution, housing, and environmental protection.

"Peace and Hope International will draw on the success and vast expertise of Paz y Esperanza in Peru to broaden our scope internationally," said Colleen Beebe, Co-International Director. "This is an exciting time for justice work in the Americas and around the world."