Coexistence Networks

CI has developed a global network of coexistence allies with over 1,000 individuals and organizations whose practice and policy work has the potential to impact coexistence (this includes individuals and organizations from fields such as education, international relations, and security). CI is also currently focused on developing a growing West Africa network of coexistence allies, which currently consists of over 200 individuals and organizations.

A number of CI's network members are themselves networks of organizations. This 'network of networks' component has a multiplier effect that augments the breadth of our reach and ability to promote coexistence sensitivity. Some examples of networks that are part of our own coexistence network include:

Theatre without Borders
West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP)
West Africa Network for Transitional Justice (WANT-Justice)
Transitional Justice Working Group in Liberia

CI's Coexistence Networks benefit practitioners and build coexistence by:

facilitating a common understanding of what coexistence means;
fostering relationships that can increase the profile, knowledge, and collaborative possibilities of members;
allowing broad and immediate communication and learning;
promoting strategic thinking and training between the leaders of the coexistence field and related areas, with the goal of working together towards peaceful and positive intergroup relations through the application of a complementary approach and coexistence-lens

CI supports our global and West African networks by:

convening panels and roundtables at international gatherings on issues of coexistence and the intersection of coexistence and related work;
providing relevant and timely research and publications;
providing training and technical assistance;
facilitating connections and communication among network members;
keeping members regularly updated on developments in the coexistence field.

In the summer of 2009 CI established the Coexistence Leadership Group of West Africa (CLGWA) as a complement to our global and national networks. The CLGWA provides a forum for experienced West African partners from the fields of peacebuilding, governance, human rights, and transitional justice to share ideas and knowledge, and to work towards a common initiative that will support and strengthen sustainable coexistence practice and complementary approaches in the region.

More information on the CLGWA and its work may be found here.

To join CI's Global and/or West Africa Coexistence Network, or if you are interested in forming a National Coexistence Network please send an email that includes contact details and a brief description of your organization to: coexistenceintl@brandeis.edu