Institute of Peace and Harmony

Mission and Purpose

Promote peace and harmony through community building including the provision of education, training, and conflict transformation services for individuals and communities. Work to develop the space and structure for community dialogue and peacemaking/peace-building activities. Assist communities impacted by cultural and structural violence and the trauma of transition for newcomers. Support the creation of welcoming spaces for diverse peoples, including immigrants and refugees and others impacted by marginalization and 'othering.'

Community Outreach Goals

Provide education about local educational, legal, health care, and social service systems.
Raise awareness about immigrant and refugee cultures and families.
Create a bridge between family needs and local police, school, health care, and social service systems.
Proactively engage violence and violent structures that limit human potential.

About Us

The Institute of Peace and Harmony (IPH) was founded in 2017 by Narayan Khadka and Abdul Wahab, who met through the Peace and Conflict Studies Program at the University of North Carolina, where they had completed their Master’s Degrees. Goven their lived experience with the societal destruction brought by conflict in Nepal and Sudan, their respective native countries, they sought to build bridges and bring conflict transformation into their communities.

Over the years we have supported community engaged dialogue and education through applying conflict theory and practice to real world problems. Projects have included citizenship training, a community garden, and peace circles trainings and workshops among other community-centered events.

Executive Director

Jeremy A. Rinker, PhD

Associate Professor
Department Co-Chair
Department of Peace & Conflict Studies
University of North Carolina Greensboro

President

Prakash Thapa

Former American Resource Center Director US Embassy in Nepal,
Businessman in Greensboro

Board Secretary

Sharin Francis

Activist & Community Volunteer

board member

Daniel Rhodes, PhD

Associate Professor
Director of Bachelor of Social Work Program
University of North Carolina Greensboro

board member

Cathryne Schmitz, PhD

Emeritus Professor
Department of Social Work
University of North Carolina Greensboro

Co-founder & Board Member

Narayan B. Khadka, PhD

Independent Researcher
San Francisco, CA

Co-founder & Board Member

Abdul Wahab, PhD

Business owner in Greensboro

Board MeMBER

Michele Lemonius, PhD

Assistant Professor
Peace and Conflict Studies Department
University of North Carolina Greensboro

Board member

Sudha Shreeniwas, PhD

Professor of Human Development & Family Studies
University of North Carolina Greensboro

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contact us to schedule a meeting

(336) 520-3866