The Center for Peace and Democracy Development [CPDD] is a visionary non-governmental organization that has been internationally recognized for its achievements and activities. It was established in July 1991, in Belgrade, as the Center for Antiwar Action [CAA]. At the time it was the first peace organization in Serbia to bring citizens together to resist war and the escalation of violence and to endorse a culture of peace and respect for human rights. This vision of peace and democracy in the Balkans, that inspired the CAA founders continues to guide the new generations of CPDD activists and remains the mission.



The CPDD`s most important goals are to: establish stability, democracy, and peace in the Balkans through regional cooperation, tolerance, and mutual respect among diverse peoples and cultures; to initiate and promote post-war reconciliation; to support the punishment of all individuals who committed war crimes; to promote human rights and the rule of law; to support minority groups in their efforts to preserve and develop their cultures and identities; to promote gender equality and equal opportunity for women and men; to enhance the democratic and economic development of Serbia and Montenegro, and to promote Serbia and Montenegro`s entry into the European Union.



Although the CPDD began by organizing public anti-war protests. The CPPDD has continually expanded its activism and its influence in guiding public opinion on various related issues. Among its many activities, the CPDD: supported the establishment of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia; trained various target groups in non-violent conflict resolution; raised awareness about human rights; sought the protection of victims of discrimination and repression; promoted the development of civil society through local activism and the establishment of local offices throughout the country; participated in researching and monitoring minority rights, and assisted vulnerable ethnic and other minority groups. CPDD has organized and participated in many national and international conferences, campaigns, seminars, round tables, and lectures and has addressed relevant issues such as: the opening of secret services files, lustration, the role of victims and witnesses in war crimes proceedings, monitoring the judiciary system, establishing ombudsperson. It has also proposed model laws in the field of opening of secret services files, lustration, human rights and the protection of minorities, ombudsperson, official use of language, civil control of the police.





Without losing sight of its long-standing goals and the ever-present threat of violence, the CPDD is now focusing on a proactive, expanded mission aimed at creating the conditions necessary to overcome the belligerence of the past and promote a sustainable transition to a modern democracy. The core activity of this expanded mission is the promotion of effective decentralization, participatory democracy, accountable government, and the defense of public goods against the illegitimate and unregulated expansion of private interests. CPDD sees its expanded role in raising the consciousness of citizens [especially young people] about their own needs, strengths and responsibilities in democratic society, connecting citizens` actions through strategic alliances at local, national and regional levels, capacity building in leadership and human resources, and continuing to promote a culture of nonviolence, nondiscrimination, and respect for individual rights.