Building trust across divides – strategies, tools, and success stories

• Date: Thursday, 17 October 2024
• Time: 11:00 - 12:30 (90 min)
• Location: GCSP- 5th floor (pétale 4) – Hybrid
• Interpretation: Interpretation services are available for all GPW events, both on-site and online, through Worldly IA
• Participation: In-person and livestremaing

What strategies are effective in building confidence and trust between conflicting parties? What role does trust play in healing and reconciliation to arrive at sustainable peace? Without trust, polarization deepens, leading to division, inequality, and widespread violence, as seen in various regions worldwide.

In response to these challenges, Initiatives of Change (IofC) launched the Trustbuilding Program (TBP) in 2019. Delivered across 12 countries, the TBP draws on IofC's 80 years of experience in global peacebuilding and trustbuilding. The programme empowers communities to overcome divisions and build social cohesion by focusing on individual transformation. Each project is uniquely designed, owned, and managed by local teams who possess an in-depth understanding of the issues, and the solutions needed.In recognition of its impact, the TBP received the UN Intercultural Innovation Award in 2021.

The Institute for Community-Based Sociotherapy (ICBS) supports its members and partners to implement Community-Based Sociotherapy (CBS), an approach developed in Rwanda post genocide and currently delivered in 7 countries. Through CBS, communities become drivers of healing and reconciliation by rebuilding trust, regaining dignity, addressing historical grievances and trauma and transforming social relationships. Critical to the approach is that facilitators are members of the same communities, and all concepts are locally defined and no pre-defined values/ norms are imposed on people, rather these are defined by the group’s members. 

This workshop will introduce participants to effective strategies and tools for building trust. Members of the TBP and ICBS will share success stories, demonstrating how they address past grievances and mistrust to pave the way for peace and social cohesion. Attendees will engage in a reflective exercise, a Q&A session and participate in an audience discussion on their trustbuilding strategies.

This event is co-organised by Initiatives of Change International and the Institute for Community-Based Sociotherapy (ICBS)

Speakers

DIOGENE KARANGWA - Rwanda General Lead, Institute for Community-Based Sociotherapy (ICBS)

Diogene Karangwa is a Rwandan practitioner and researcher with extensive experience in managing community-level projects. He holds a Master of Science (MSc) in Project Management from Jomo Kenyatta University in Rwanda, as well as certificates in genocide and mass atrocities studies, human rights, and conflict management. He also holds an Accredited Diploma in Groupwork Practice and is a qualifying group analyst. Diogene has served as a Participatory Action Researcher for four years and is an experienced trainer in community-based Sociotherapy and grassroots advocacy. He has built the capacity of CBS trainers and facilitators in Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Uganda, and Ethiopia.

TALIA SMITH - Trustbuilding Program Manager, Initiatives of Change International (IofCI)

Talia Smith has been working with Initiatives of Change for 12 years on a variety of social change programs and roles, including her current role as International Trustbuilding Program Manager. She has over 16 years’ experience working in the NGO sector, including long-term fieldwork in South East Asia, Africa and Peru. She has a Masters Degree in Development Studies. Talia is committed to reducing the suffering in the world and enabling people to reach their full potential.

LEONID DONOS - Trustbuilding Program Ukraine Project Coordinator, Foundations for Freedom

Leonid Donos is the Director of the Association for Participatory Community Development and a board member of Foundations for Freedom. His work focuses on civic participation, social cohesion, and supporting vulnerable populations. Leonid leads multiple projects aimed at strengthening communities, engaging citizens in decision-making processes, and fostering local governance. He collaborates with international foundations and partners, particularly in trustbuilding and peace initiatives, to implement strategic projects that drive sustainable development and social transformation.

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