In the context of a conflict within a state or between communities or nations, certain actions are possible and appropriate to outsiders - others are not. The purpose of a team is to encourage, by means of an international, nonviolent, nonpartisan presence, the peaceful resolution of the conflicts within the nation or community. To this end, PBI teams seek, as far as possible within their resources to:

• Offer support and protective accompaniment to human rights defenders, groups or individuals threatened with violence from whatever source;
• Understand what is happening in the country through direct observation and by listening to the widest possible range of viewpoints and experiences, respecting the need expressed by any or all parties for confidentiality (some projects have a policy of no contact with illegal armed groups);
• Report to the outside world a nonpartisan analysis of the situation as viewed from within the country or community;
• Encourage actions to reduce the level of violence.

It is important to understand that PBI is not a development organisation. PBI believes that communities need space and freedom to carry out their own development in ways that create self-empowerment rather than dependency. When we become aware of a development opportunity we try to pass it along to an organisation set up specifically for that work.

Nonpartisanship is a fundamental principle of PBI. It is important for a variety of reasons, some philosophical and some practical:

1. We believe it is inappropriate for us as outsiders to influence the decisions made by local groups. Our mandate is to provide the safety and skills that will enable them to solve their problems nonviolently in their own way.
2. In order to form an adequate analysis of a conflict, it is important to keep ourselves open to all parties in the conflict. (However, some projects, such as Colombia, in order to abide by the laws of the countries where they operate do not have contact with illegal armed groups.)
3. If we are perceived to be aligned with any one political faction or ideology in a situation, other activists who may have need for our services will be alienated from making contact with us. A nonpartisan stance adds to both our objectivity and our accessibility.
4. Our non-partisanship gives us access to a broad spectrum of political support, all of which strengthens our ability to carry out our work in the field.
5. Our nonpartisan role gives us some degree of standing with local government authorities and the diplomatic community. Since our presence is sometimes only tolerated by host governments, such standing can facilitate our work and our ability to offer protection.

Accepting and working within the discipline of nonpartisanship is sometimes difficult, but never optional. In practical terms, nonpartisanship has meant:

• PBI does not provide funding for any of the local organizations with whom we work.
• PBI teams do not accept payment for services.
• PBI volunteers do not bring or solicit material aid for local organisations or individuals during their term of service or immediately thereafter when they are still likely to be viewed as members of PBI.
• Volunteers do not participate in any way in the activities of local organisations during their term of service. Although we often provide human rights observation at rallies, demonstrations, etc., we do not take part in them.

One of PBI's strengths is its international diversity. This diversity is also a challenge; we have to embrace many different perspectives, languages, cultures, expectations and ideologies, and we must communicate over long distances. It can be frustrating and also rewarding.

The General Assembly meets every three years and is responsible for the overall policies and direction of PBI. Delegates come from around the world representing other bodies within PBI - teams and committees, country groups and affiliated individuals. The International Council performs this responsibility between meetings of the Assembly.

The International Office in London is responsible for coordinating and developing PBI's programs worldwide, facilitating communication to and from the Council and other bodies and publishing the annual report.

Each Project has a Project Committee, collectively responsible for project policy. Members are actively working on issues on their project. Each Project Office is staffed by a Project Coordinator who is responsible for coordinating the project, including scheduling volunteers, budgeting and financial management and information sharing.

Sixteen countries, including Canada and the United States, currently have country groups. The country groups disseminate information about the projects, raise funds, and recruit and train potential volunteers. Returned volunteers usually get involved in their country group. Country groups, responsible for building political support for the project work, have set up an Emergency Response Network, which is a telephone and email tree of activists, returned volunteers and PBI supporters, including governmental representatives. When a PBI team or someone we work with is threatened or violated, the team or Project Office activates the ERN. Hundreds of telegrams, faxes, emails, letters and phone calls are received by the government of the project country or other relevant party. This international pressure serves to deter the threat.

The Project Teams are made up of volunteers from many countries who divide the work according to their skills, interests and the current needs.