Mel Duncan American lawyer and peacemaker Date of Birth: 22.05.1950 Country: USA

Biography of Mel Duncan

Mel Duncan (Melvin Earl Duncan) is an American lawyer, human rights activist, and Executive Director of the organization 'Nonviolent Peaceforce', which is dedicated to protecting civilians in areas of armed conflict. Born on May 22, 1950, in Davenport, Iowa, Mel developed a deep interest in world politics, particularly in military conflicts, during his school years.

After completing high school, Mel moved to the state capital of Minnesota, St. Paul, where he attended Macalester College. Four years later, he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Politics and decided to continue his education in the field of humanities and leadership at the New College of California in California.

After obtaining his Master's degree, Mel joined forces with his colleagues to help create the organization Advocating Change Together. This organization aimed to promote equal rights for individuals with developmental disabilities who consider themselves full members of society capable of making independent decisions. Mel also held executive positions in organizations such as the Minnesota Jobs with Peace Campaign and the Minnesota Alliance for Progressive Action.

Alongside his work with these organizations, Mel dedicated a significant amount of time to volunteer work. For example, during the civil war in Nicaragua, he worked as a peacekeeper, and he also facilitated the delivery of medical supplies to Iraq.

In May 1999, Mel met lawyer David Hartsough at the Hague Appeal for Peace conference. They decided to work together to create an international organization of peacekeepers. Inspired by the ideas of Mahatma Gandhi about the "army of peace," they hoped to train groups of unarmed volunteers who could enter conflict zones and assist peaceful civilians. Three years later, the organization 'Nonviolent Peaceforce' was founded and received official consultative status from the United Nations.

During their work, volunteers from the 'Nonviolent Peaceforce' have been to Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Guatemala, and Sudan. Mel has received numerous awards for his many years of peacekeeping activities. In 2006, he received the Distinguished Citizen Award from his alma mater, Macalester College. In 2007, he was honored with the International Peace Prize by the religious organization Fellowship of Reconciliation. In 2008, the American political magazine 'Utne Reader' included Mel in their list of "50 Visionaries who are Changing Your World."

Mel remains humble about his work and doesn't often give interviews. He believes that working towards a better world is the duty of every individual, regardless of their nationality or religion.