October 28, 2005

Coexistence International Based at Brandeis University

The International Center for Ethics, Justice and Public Life at Brandeis University is pleased to welcome the arrival of Coexistence International (CI). Based at the Center since July, CI’s vision is a world in which people of different religions, races, ethnicities, and cultures relate with respect and recognize their interdependence, where diversity is embraced for its positive potential, and where equality is valued and actively pursued.

CI’s mission is to strengthen the field of policymakers, practitioners, researchers, advocates, organizations, and networks promoting coexistence at local, national, and international levels. Formerly known as The Coexistence Initiative (TCI), CI recently completed a participatory strategic planning process and is now launching a range of programs that concentrate on knowledge sharing, reflection, networking, and advocacy. Dr. Mari Fitzduff is the Chair of CI’s International Advisory Board.

Through its planning process, CI developed a vision of the coexistence field that includes all of the individuals and institutions that work to strengthen intergroup relations, including policymakers, practitioners, advocates, researchers, and funders; those working at local, regional, national, and international levels; and those who define their work in terms such as conflict resolution, conflict transformation, dialogue, diversity work, multiculturalism, non-violence, peacebuilding, and reconciliation. The field also includes those from related areas such as democracy and governance, development, human rights, humanitarian aid, refugee assistance, and transitional justice, among others, who seek to deal with issues of intercommunal conflict while proactively building equitable, just, and peaceful societies.

CI’s plans for the initial three-year phase of its work are designed to strengthen the complex and diverse coexistence field with the long-term goal of increasing the effectiveness of coexistence work on the ground and at the policy level. CI’s programs are organized around five distinct but overlapping strands: networking those who are thinking about the field at a meta-level; work within a particular, yet-to-be decided region; strengthening coexistence policies; working with funders; and facilitating learning between coexistence practitioners and theatre artists.

Each strand will focus on exchange of knowledge and experience, reflection, advocacy opportunities, convening events and the production of materials for both practitioners and policy makers. Gatherings will be planned that allow for dialogue, networking, and action, both within and between strands, with a commitment to involving actors who work at different levels (local to global) and with distinct perspectives.

As noted by the Chair of CI, Dr. Mari Fitzduff, “Coexistence International is proposing a broad definition of coexistence, one that includes the notion of diversity and equality, and a unique approach to strengthening the coexistence field. CI will engage in parallel efforts within and between the different disciplines whose work, either directly or indirectly, touches on coexistence. This is a much needed contribution to the field.”

CI, an initiative of the Slifka Program in Intercommunal Coexistence, is funded through gift of the Alan B. Slifka Foundation.