Structure

The Ministry for Peace Australia is a non-profit incorporated organisation, established for the purposes of developing a Ministry for Peace in the Australian Federal Government.

It is not affiliated with the Australian Federal Government, nor with any particular political party.

It is managed by a Board of Directors and is advised on policy matters by an Advisory Board.

The MFPA Board members include Biannca D. Pace, Chairperson, Professor Kevin Clements BA (Hons), PhD, Mrs Judy Norman, Mrs Viveen Smith, Mr Wayne M. Robinson and Mrs. Louise A. Gillam.

Members of the Advisory Board include: Dr Peter Airey UNAA (NSW Division), The Hon. Dr Arthur Chesterfield-Evans MLC- Australian Democrats and Dr. Keith Suter - Chair of the Environment Committee & author of Keith Suter Comments broadcast weekly 2GB.

Ms Biannca D. Pace – Chairperson

Biannca is a business woman who started her first company in 1976 (Cache Holdings P/L) an import and design business which dealt in high fashion Florentine leather goods and accessories some of which were her own original designs. Her goods were so innovative that they were frequently featured in Vogue, Women’s Weekly, Cleo and other magazines. Concurrently she was running her second company (Commodore Holdings P/L) which developed and manufactured the Mozzie Zapper. This item proved so popular that it was purchased by Samuel Taylor and is still available in Supermarkets.

She is the immediate past NSW President of the Australian Democrats and currently owns The Crystal Gallery at The Rocks, Sydney and has been a part of The Rocks community for 17yrs, serving as President, Vice President and Treasurer of The Rocks Chamber of Commerce (1996-2001) and has been active in the local community through volunteer positions with the Cancer Council and the United Nations Association.

She spearheaded the “Share the Spirit of Peace Summit ” in Sydney in 2003 which became essentially the precursor of the Global Alliance for Ministries and Departments of Peace where she now also serves as part of the Steering Committee and is the Financial Co-ordinator.

Professor Kevin Clements BA (Hons), PhD

Foundation Director of the Australian Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Queensland in Brisbane. He comes to this position from International Alert, where he was the Secretary General from Jan 1998 to Sep 2003.

International Alert is one of the largest NGO’s working in conflict transformation. It pioneered innovative policy and practical approaches to conflict prevention and transformation in Africa, Asia and Eurasia. It also made major contributions to the mainstreaming of conflict prevention within the European Foreign and Development Ministry for the European Union, plus a variety of UN Institutions.

During his time there he was on the Board of the European Centre for Conflict Prevention and past president of the European Peace Building Liaison Office in Brussels.

He has had a broad and varied academic career, has been an advisor to the British, Swedish, Dutch, Australian and New Zealand Governments on conflict prevention, peace, defence and security issues.

He has written or edited six books and over 140 chapters or articles on conflict transformation, peace building, diplomacy and development.

He is also the Chairman of Global Action to Prevent War (GAPW).

Ms Judy Norman

Currently a senior IT Project Manager with a large telecommunications company and is responsible for implementing computer systems. Judy is also a Director of the non-profit organisation Sydney Goodwill. Judy has been involved in Business Project Management over the past 30 years in Yellow Pages, Insurance, Direct Marketing and Telecommunications.

During this time she has also been member of a number of committees for running community events and coordinated the Organising Committee of volunteers behind the international Share the Spirit of Peace Summit in 2003.

Judy also taught Senior Secondary students for over 10 years in English and Communications and has run many school events. Her career employment as well as involvement in school and community events has entailed managing financial budgets of both allocated and donated funds as well as attracting and coordinating a large volunteer or voluntary commitment. She is typically called upon for large undertakings where a united, common focus and team integration are needed to be quickly established.

Mrs. Viveen Smith

A Director of Sydney Goodwill Unit of Service Ltd since 1988, as well as a Director of the Ministry for Peace Ltd. On the business side, Viveen brings to the Ministry for Peace over 30 years experience in the retail and hospitality industry as well as more than 20 years experience in management and administration. She also offers a unique perspective on dealing with people and issues in crisis, with over 15 years experience as a welfare officer at the State Emergency Service as well as her work as a bereavement councillor. Being under pressure or in crisis challenges both our internal sense of peace and also our capacity to function peacefully with others. Viveen’s unique understanding of this dimension has been invaluable not only in developing the Ministry for Peace but also in ensuring that the events and activities we undertake practice and reflect the culture of peace we seek to create and contribute greatly to the integrity of the organisation.

Ms. Louise N. Gillam

A businesswoman and therapist for over 12 years, operating her own allied health services business in Sydney. Louise also travels extensively to consult internationally, particularly in the area of autistic children. Louise brings to the MFP Board an extensive community network as well as key contacts within the international diplomatic arena.

Mr Wayne M Robinson

A businessman over a number of industries for many years, Wayne brings to the Board, a highly valued practical approach to getting things organised. His many years of experience in building and project management have proved invaluable in managing tasks such as stage construction, lighting, security etc for our events.