COEXISTENCE INTERNATIONAL is an initiative committed to strengthening the field of policymakers, practitioners, researchers, advocates, organizations and networks promoting coexistence at local, national and international levels. CI promotes a complementary approach to coexistence work through facilitating connections, learning, reflection, and strategic thinking between those in the coexistence field and those in related areas.
NEWS
CI Advisory Board Member Awarded Global Peace Prize
Deka Ibrahim Abdi, a long-time Kenyan peace activist and member of CI's Advisory Board was recently awarded the 2009 Hesse Peace Prize for her important work fostering non-violent conflict resolution of inter-clan disputes in Kenya. Dekha’s work promoting peace and facilitating inter-religious and inter-ethnic dialogue has also expanded beyond Kenya to other diverse and divided societies. It is an honor to have Dekha on the CI Advisory Board and we salute her commitment to peace and coexistence.
CI convenes workshop, Strengthening Coexistence and Transitional Justice in Liberia in Monrovia, Liberia
From November 4-6, 2009, Coexistence International, in partnership with the International Center for Transitional Justice and the Transitional Justice Working Group in Liberia, convened a coexistence workshop entitled, “Strengthening Coexistence and Transitional Justice in Liberia”.
The workshop was designed in response to requests from our colleagues in West Africa to develop a coexistence program that would deepen peoples’ ability to apply a coexistence-lens in their work and to promote social inclusion and a complimentary approach within their respective fields. In addition to participation by 20 individuals representing Liberian civil society, local government, and government bodies, the event was attended by members of the Coexistence Leadership Group of West Africa (CLGWA)and a representative of the Club of Madrid’s (CoM) Shared Societies Project.
The workshop included presentations, plenary sessions, and small group exercises that examined the obstacles to coexistence in post-TRC Liberia and addressed what members of civil society and government may do to work for positive change.
In the course this work, participants took part in coexistence exercises designed to strengthen their collaborative capacities for working towards a socially inclusive society and model coexistence. The CLGWA members presented on their experience with governance and coexistence work elsewhere in the region, especially in post-conflict settings. The CoM representative talked about how its work with heads-of-state relates to, and can support, coexistence work at the civil society level.
The workshop was facilitated by Liberian peacemaker William “Bill” Saa. More information, including a meeting report, agenda, and list of participants will be available from the CI website soon.
EVENTS
Lunchtime presentation on "Leadership for Coexistence"
Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
 On Friday, January 22nd Coexistence International (CI) and the Master's Program in Coexistence and Conflict sponsored a presentation on "Leadership for Coexistence".
Panelists were Sean Carroll, Director of Programs for the Club of Madrid and Tim Phillips, Founding Co-chair of the Project on Justice in Times of Transition at Tufts University and member of the Expert Advisory Panel of the Club of Madrid's Shared Societies Project and Coexistence International's Advisory Board.Â
Mari Fitzuff, Director of the Master's Program in Coexistence and Conflict, and Chair of CI's Advisory Board moderated the discussion.on the origins of the Club of Madrid's Shared Societies Project and strategies for engaging with world leaders to build shared societies. The Project is a global initiative that provides leaders with greater understanding of the benefits of coexistence and the incentives and means to act to advance it. The Project supports democratic development through leadership for dialogue, diversity, and social cohesion.
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PUBLICATIONS
Country Studies: Argentina and Colombia
CI is pleased to announce the release of two new studies, on Argentina and Colombia, as part of its "Country Studies" publication series.
CIÂ country studies describe the state of coexistence within different countries, and compares diversity and coexistence policies from countries around the world. CIÂ has made no attempt to assess the implementation or success of such processes, or to endorse any of the initiatives mentioned in the report. We believe, however, that the documentation of the existence and scope of such efforts can contribute to a wider understanding of the variety of approaches for addressing issues of coexistence and intergroup conflict.
The Argentina country study is available here.
The Colombia country study is available here.
For a complete list of available country studies, click here.
Accent sur la coexistence et le renforcement de la démocratie en Afrique occidentale (Focus on Coexistence and Democracy-building in West Africa)
CI is pleased to announce the release of the French translation of its latest addition to our Focus Paper Series, Focus on Coexistence and Democracy-building in West Africa.
Accent sur la coexistence et le renforcement de la démocratie en Afrique occidentale explores the relationship between a society’s ability to coexist and its ability to create a sustainable democracy. Moreover, the publication examines how democratic structures that are coexistence-sensitive support a framework for a more inclusive and peaceful society.
In the context of West Africa’s legacy of repression and exclusion, the paper highlights examples from the region that demonstrate the importance of being attentive to intergroup relationships through inclusive leadership and good governance. Accent sur la coexistence et le renforcement de la démocratie en Afrique occidentale concludes with recommendations for civil society organizations and government leaders who are committed to creating sustainable democracies and peaceful societies amidst the rich social diversity in the region.
The paper is available in French or English.
Additional publications from our Focus Papers Series are available here.
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