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 and its Partners in Liberia release Coexistence and Transitional Justice in Liberia: Identified Obstacles and Opportunities for Action
Since early 2007 Coexistence International (CI) has engaged with representatives of West African civil society, governments, and regional and international bodies to strengthen coexistence in the region. The project has critically examined the intersection of transitional justice, democracy, human rights, and coexistence. This work has included workshops, publications, and research that addressed these issues in several countries in the region including Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.
As part of this project CI, in partnership with the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) and the Transitional Justice Working Group in Liberia (TJWG), convened a coexistence training, “Strengthening Coexistence and Transitional Justice in Liberia” from November 4-6 2009.
An important component of the training was identifying obstacles to social inclusion in Liberia within the context of its transitional justice process. Participants then identified specific actions to address those obstacles and opportunities to advocate for socially inclusive policies, processes, and/or structures.
Coexistence and Transitional Justice in Liberia: Identified Obstacles and Opportunities for Action summarizes, as defined by workshop participants, obstacles to coexistence in Liberia; the links between transitional justice and coexistence; and lists specific actions and opportunities for advocacy that can lead to strengthened coexistence there. It is the organizers' hope that this summary proves to be a useful tool for practitioners in Liberia, whatever their field of practice or interest in transitional justice in the country, for identifying coexistence obstacles and to develop or identify ongoing programs to address them. We hope it will also be a useful reference for the global community of those working for social inclusion, transitional justice, human rights, good governance, and related fields.
Coexistence and Transitional Justice in Liberia: Identified Obstacles and Opportunities for Action is available here.
CI Program Director Opinion Piece featured at GlobalPost.com
CI Program Director Jessica Berns authored an opinion piece that is featured at the on-line global news site GlobalPost.com. Berns argues that, with globalization and ever increasing diversity within national borders, public policy challenges to coexistence and social cohesion are faced by most of the world's countries today. Seeing its global relevance, Berns challenges the direction of and process of the current public debate in France regarding the wearing of Muslim face veils and argues for a national dialogue that addresses identity, social cohesion, and the principles of democracy. To read the article click here.
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EVENTS
CI Advisory Board Chair to be Panelist at Women’s Studies Research Center Event
CI Advisory Board Chair Mari Fitzduff will be a panelist during a women’s history symposium, The Personal is Political: Feminist Activism over Time, to be held at the Brandeis Women’s Studies Research Center (WSRC) on Thursday, March 18, from 9 am to 6 pm. In three different panels, speakers will discuss women’s roles in international conflict resolution in Ireland, Liberia and Iran; local and international efforts to combat violence against women; and four decades of Our Bodies, Ourselves, the book that launched a worldwide movement to give women control over their reproductive lives and health. The symposium will conclude with a dance performance entitled “There’s a Dance in the Old Dame Yet.”
Prof. Fitzduff will speak on the panel International Conflict Resolution: Women Transforming Governance in Ireland, Liberia and Iran from 10am-noon.
March is Women’s History Month and this second biannual WSRC symposium examines the impact feminist activists have had in local, national and global organizations and examines ways the future can be informed by the past. The program also reflects the interdisciplinary work of the WSRC where “research, art and activism converge” and over seventy-five independent scholars focus on questions related to women’s lives and gender dynamics.
The symposium is free and open to the public.Â
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.
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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