Country/region: Macedonia

Conflict: Armed conflict in 2001, inter-ethnic conflict to the present day

Organisation: Center for Civic Initiative

Field of work: Inter-ethnic youth work

In the year 2001 Macedonia experienced a short, violent conflict between Albanian rebels and the Macedonian security forces, which cost dozens of lives. To the present day the fragile state of inter-ethnic relationships is still noticeable, particularly in southern Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Prejudices and stereotypes are difficult to eradicate and there is a lack of trust and understanding.

Young people are particularly affected, as the experiences of the Center for Civic Initiative show. Many people still think in terms of enemy stereotypes and regard these as normal, even though they may not be able to explain why. This is the starting point for the organisation led by Goce Todorski which has, with its Circle of Trust, developed a method for creating conflict transformation that can be learned by teachers from multi-ethnic schools at a three-day workshop.

Most conflicts arising at schools are based on ethnicity and gender, together with a lack of communication among teachers, pupils and parents, and an absence of interest in resolving the conflict. At the Circles of Trust everyone can tell his or her story, while the others listen. All participants are invited to talk openly and freely about their feelings. The objective is to understand the wishes, fears and individual needs of all those present. This helps to build up trust and enable interpersonal relationships, directly from person to person, regardless of their individual ethnic background.

From the Circles of Trust Goce Todorski expects rapid and positive changes among the young people of Macedonia, together with increased conflict transformation skills on the part of teachers. Those teachers who have already been trained in the method confirm that this approach improves relationships within their schools, to the benefit of communication and networks. Eight schools are to be established for the purpose of building trust, and a manual is to be produced informing teachers about the Circle of Trust method and further possibilities for conflict transformation. Among other partners Goce Todorski and his organisation are supported by zivik and the Berghof Foundation.

LINKS:

www.berghof-foundation.org/de/foerderung/supported-projects/2013-center-for-civic-initiative

Support from zivik: http://cms.ifa.de/index.php?id=8759

www.norveska.org.rs/News_and_events/News-and-events1/Circles-of-trust-help-understand-the-other

Country/region:  Pakistan

Conflict: (Religious) radicalization

Organisation: Paiman Alumni Trust

Field of work: De-Radicalization, strenthening of women in peace processes

Mossarat Qadeem works directly with mothers of radicalized youths, using her skill as a communicator and her detailed knowledge of the Quran, she rescues young men—including potential suicide bombers—who are being exploited by extremists. Afterwards, she ensures they receive job training and education and helps them with the difficult process of reintegrating into their communities.

To broaden her outreach, Ms. Qadeem founded PAIMAN Alumni Trust, a nonprofit group promoting sociopolitical and economic empowerment of marginalized Pakistanis. With PAIMAN, she established the country’s first center for conflict transformation and peacebuilding, which has helped thousands of young people and women across the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Khyber Pukhtunkwa province to prevent and resolve conflict.

Ms. Qadeem is also the national coordinator of Aman-o-Nisa, a coalition of women leaders throughout Pakistan striving to moderate violent extremism and promote understanding among diverse ethnic, religious, and political groups.

LINKS:

Paiman Alumni Trust

http://paimantrust.org/

CV on Inclusive Security

http://www.inclusivesecurity.org/network-bio/mossarat-qadeem/

Interview

http://www.inclusivesecurity.org/peace-activist-mossarat-qadeem-enlists-mothers-to-fight-terrorism-in-pakistan-2/

Land/Region: Kolumbien

Konflikt:

Organisation: misión Intereclesial Justicia y Paz

Arbeitsfeld: Menschenrechte

LINK:
http://justiciaypazcolombia.com/

Land/Region: Afghanistan

Konflikt:

Organisation: Afghan Civil Society Forum

Arbeitsfeld: Zivilgesellschaft stärken

LINK:
http://www.acsf.af/english

Land/Region: Afghanistan

Konflikt:

Organisation: Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission

Arbeitsfeld: Menschenrechte

URL http://www.aihrc.org.af/home/contact

Country/region: South Sudan

Conflict: Civil war between North and South Sudan

Organisation: Organization for Nonviolence and Development (ONAD)

Field of work: Training in non-violence; workshops on trauma work; inter-religious dialogue between Muslims & Christians

“I used to spread violence. I was a rebel fighter. But I know that people can change – because I have changed.” Mama Bougie, a former fighter in the Sudanese civil war, is now one of the coordinators of the “Alternatives to Violence” (AVP) project in Sudan. She and other trainers on the project have made a documentary film to explain how they deal with “transforming power” in their workshops, how they create space for a culture of non-violence and practise methods of non-violent conflict resolution on both personal and social levels.

The AVP, supported by such organisation as the German Civil Peace Service, is one of the central activities of ONAD, an organisation that was founded 20 years ago by Moses John. He says: “Humanitarian aid is important for our country. But it isn’t enough; we need to do everything we can to consolidate peace.” His contribution to this is the “training of trainers”, in which non-violent conflict management is taught, together with interfaith dialogues and courses on human rights.

ONAD is part of the “Citizens for Peace and Justice” network. The network has issued a statement in which it announced its neutrality and calls for a truce, free access for humanitarian aid and involvement in the peace process.

LINK:

ONAD

http://www.onadev.org/

Interview on Welt-Sichten 2014

http://www.welt-sichten.org/artikel/24447/suedsudan-kiir-und-machar-sollten-einer-neuen-regierung-nicht-angehoeren