Tinotenda Dean Nyota from Gweru, Zimbabwe, took part in the Caux Peace and Leadership Programme (CPLP) in 2018. He is  an Economics graduate, who describes himself as an active citizen, with a passion for entrepreneurship and development.

'As a young person in post-colonial Zimbabwe, I was raised in a society that taught me that everything foreign and white is better than everything local and black.

The best schools in my country, which any child would want to attend, are the private schools, which are actually perceived as ‘white schools’. The best and safest neighbourhoods, where we would want to live, are dominated by a different cultural set-up, which once again we perceive as white. The ability to speak English fluently  is associated with affluence and intelligence. We all want to dress like a white person, eat and live like the image we have of a white person – over 40 years since we attained independence!   

The first time I engaged in a journey of self-discovery was when I took part in the CPLP in 2018. The World Cup was taking place at that time, and I was supporting France, because of Paul Pogba, who plays for my favourite football team, Manchester United. I can tell you more about Manchester than I can tell about my home town. I knew more about the English Premier League than I did about the league in Zimbabwe. My language of choice, dress code and food choices were all inspired by images of white people and white institutions.

I now look at myself in the mirror differently. I am slowly getting comfortable under my skin...

During our training at Caux, all the CPLP participants told their stories. They came from more than 40 countries and cultures, and they were all markedly proud of who they were. Their stories showed their esteem for their language, food and style of dress. This allowed me to experience a transformational realization; a realization that made me feel misplaced. I felt more British than I felt Zimbabwean.

When I went home after Caux, I felt pushed to lead a discussion on ‘Being young and black in Zimbabwe’. This made me realize that I was not the only one experiencing the isolating reality of an identity crisis. Over the last few years I have seen a shift in young people’s attitudes – towards the idea that local and black is good too. I now look at myself in the mirror differently. I am slowly getting comfortable under my skin and, definitely, my black and curly hair now looks naturally beautiful. The Black Lives Matter movement couldn't come at a better time than now, as we seek to find ourselves as young people in an independent Zimbabwe.

Discover more CPLP Talks articles on culture and its impact:

• Charlotte Rémié : The best of both cultures
• Sebastian Hasse: Culture, origins and freedom
• Abeda Nasrat: 'Afghanistan gave me roots, Denmark gave me wings.'

Charlotte Rémié discovered Initiatives of Change through her parents in 2012. She took part in the Caux Interns Programme and was a participant of the Caux Peace and Leadership Programme (CPLP) in 2017. After that, there was no turning back on the path of self-discovery and discovery of others. After three years working with the International Committee of the Red Cross, she decided to devote some time to  personal development.

'I am originally from Rwanda but was born and raised in Switzerland. I spent my childhood and adolescence in environments that had little diversity. I was mainly in contact with Swiss culture outside my home and Rwandan culture at home.

These two cultures are very different and even contradictory. For someone like me, who was trying to build and understand their own identity, it was really disturbing at times. I thought I had to choose between them; to choose which would be ‘the best’ and represent ‘the truth’ for me. But this meant letting go of a part of myself. Even though I knew that this solution wasn’t working for me, I couldn't see any alternative.

After growing up in a culturally dichotomous environment, my experience in Caux was striking and enriching. It gave me the opportunity to question my interpretation of culture and to put it into perspective. It was the first time that I had been surrounded by people of all ages, coming from all over the world, each with their own history and reason for being there.

I realized that having two cultures is not a burden but a richness and that I am lucky to be able to take the best of both.

I specifically remember the Map of the World exercise we did during my time in Caux. Its purpose was to show that nothing is all black and white and that the perspective you have on something is influenced by a lot of factors, one of which is the culture you grow up in. This exercise made me realize that neither of the cultures that I was made up of held absolute truth and that I didn’t have to choose between them. I realized that having two cultures is not a burden but a richness and that I am lucky to be able to take the best of both.

All the cultures with which I have rubbed shoulders, combined with the tools I acquired during the Caux Interns and CPLP workshops, have helped me to accept the differences that cohabit within me. From there I can build my own culture/life philosophy/identity by combining the beautiful things I observe in the cultures around me.'

Discover more CPLP Talks articles on culture and its impact:

• Tinotenda Dean Nyota: Getting comfortable under my skin
• Sebastian Hasse: Culture, origins and freedom
• Abeda Nasrat: 'Afghanistan gave me roots, Denmark gave me wings.'

When she returned home, she knew she wanted to do something. Slowly, the idea emerged of building a library in La Guajira, an isolated community in the north of Colombia, to make education more accessible to its people. She applied what she had learnt at Caux about creative leadership, which is not about having power over others but about connecting with people, respecting them and their ideas, and using their strengths. She co-created the project with the local community, thereby ensuring that their values and culture were respected and that they would be able to run the project autonomously. She also involved her friends and family.  

 

 

There are now about 35 people helping with the project. They all have their strength and therefore their specific responsibility. Before the project started more than 60% of the children were illiterate. Three years later, all the children of the community can now read and write, both in Spanish and in their own language, Wayuunaiki. The project has created a series of books with stories written and edited by the children in both languages. The magic of these stories is that they transmit the children’s culture and change their way of looking at life. Maria hopes to replicate the project in other communities.  

Photos: Maria Paula Garcia Romero

Video: Biblioteca Suuralairua - Comunidad Wayuú

Nick Foster until now Caux Forum Director, will take over the role of Co-Director of IofC Switzerland, alongside Stephanie Buri. After nine years with Initiatives of Change (IofC) and one year as the Co-Director of IofC Switzerland, Rainer Gude is leaving to become the Executive Coordinator of the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform.

‘We are sad to see Rainer go, but wish him all the best and thank him for all he has brought to IofC Switzerland,’ says Christine Beerli, President of IofC Switzerland . ‘We are delighted that Nick is taking on the role of Co-Director, continuing the model of co-leadership which has proven to be the perfect solution in these times of uncertainty and constant change.’

Rainer first worked with IofC International as Chargé de Mission, and then became Partnership Manager of IofC Switzerland and, last year, Co-Director General. ‘One never really leaves IofC,’ he says. ‘The values and work of trying to improve the world around you by starting with yourself are something that you can live in any job. In my new position I will be doing a lot of what I have done over the last few years – trying to connect, equip and, hopefully, inspire people in their work for peace.’

Stephanie and Rainer became Co-Directors at a critical time for the organization, and, as the pandemic took hold, for the world.

‘2020 was much more complex than I or anyone thought it would be,’ says Rainer. ‘I have learned so much, but above all I am grateful for all the enriching encounters that this job has given me. My heartfelt thanks goes out to our team, who gave their all through this difficult year, to the council of IofC Switzerland, to the wider IofC network and to our partners. Count on seeing me in Caux or at other IofC events. I will continue to be an IofC ambassador wherever I go.’

‘I am thankful for everything we learned together with Rainer in this historical year. Rainer is a born bridge-builder, and I am happy for the opportunity his new appointment will bring not only him but also international Geneva, of which IofC is a part of. I look forward to continuing working with Nick, our team and council in this special year that is IofC Switzerland’s 75th anniversary’ says Stephanie.

Nick has been Caux Forum Director at IofC Switzerland since 2012. After studying arts and psychology education, he has lived in many parts of the world, working in education, manufacturing, business consultancy and the non-profit sector. He became involved with IofC in the 1990s, first through Making Britain a Home and then through Foundations For Freedom in Eastern Europe and Russia. He brings a passion to make the world a better place, a great knowledge of the IofC network and a commitment to embodying IofC’s values in his life and work.

‘I hope to uphold the connection and commitment Rainer, Stephanie and the council have modelled during a difficult year of transition,’ he says. ‘We discovered last year that online activities can be rich, deep and community-building, although we missed the sense of service and informal connection that has long been associated with the Caux experience. There is so much that we can apply from what we continue to learn. Rapid change is here, and we have to respond, not react.’

‘The “Cauxmmunity” has been a tremendous strength to each other and to the foundation during this difficult year. I look forward to continuing to support our network and Caux through the uncertainties that remain, and to strengthening our existing partnerships in the work of building trust across the world’s divides. This year is the 75th anniversary of IofC’s activities in Caux, and I believe that Caux, and the IofC community at large, can offer a beacon of hope and support to the world.’

We wish Nick all the best in his new role and look forward to his co-leadership!