They hail from India (Kashmir), Israel, Sri Lanka and Uganda. They have stood up to war criminals, rebel extremists, government and military officials.

All in the name of ending violence. All in the name of peace.

The four participants in USD’s Women PeaceMakers Program will tell their stories Thursday in a special reception and discussion hosted by the San Diego Women’s Foundation and USD’s Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice.

The women have been in San Diego since last month, living at the USD institute, where they’ve shared their experiences, networked and took respite from the often-turbulent world waiting for them back home.

Now in its 12th year, the Women PeaceMakers Program selects women from global conflict zones who work, either as professionals or activists, to end violence and injustice.

Ashima Kaul, of Kashmir, a member of a displaced Hindu minority group, founded a network that counters ethnic and religious violence.

Robi Damelin, of Israel, has promoted reconciliation between Israel and Palestinians since her son was killed by a Palestinian sniper in 2002.

Nimalka Fernando, of Sri Lanka, is a human-rights activist and lawyer who has been exiled for her advocacy.

And Margaret Arach Orech, of Uganda, was the victim of a landmine explosion who went on to found the Uganda Landmine Survivors Association.

Thursday’s PeaceMaker event will take place from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the USD Institute for Peace and Justice, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego.

(The San Diego Union-Tribune )