Cohort 1

Catalyst for Peace: Mapping Diversity in Museums

Catalyst for Peace: Mapping Diversity in Museums revolutionizes how museums engage with their audiences by integrating Diversity Atlas, a state-of-the-art tool for cultural diversity mapping, via the humanity’s cultural, self-identification, metrics it includes (45k in 2024). This initiative addresses the challenge museums face in remaining relevant and connected in a globalized society, where they are pivotal for fostering social cohesion and cultural preservation. The project will employ Diversity Atlas to map the diversity within museum workforces and audiences, identify cultural representation disparities, and facilitate more effective programming and interactions. The objective is to transform museums into spaces that reflect and celebrate the diverse fabric of society, promoting social cohesion, cultural preservation, and peace-building. Expected outcomes include increased museum attendance by diverse groups, improved cultural representation in staff and exhibits, and stronger alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The project will culminate in a comprehensive report at the Inclusive Museums Conference in Vienna in September 2024, setting a new standard for how museums worldwide can enhance their diversity and inclusivity.

Team Information:

Tali Nates, Founder and CEO, Johannesburg Holocaust & Genocide Centre
Project Role: Hosting Partner
Email: Tali@jhbholocaust.co.za

Peter Mouasferiadis, Founder and CEO of Cultural Infusion, Diversity Atlas by Cultural Infusion
Project Role: Technology Partner
Email: Peter.M@culturalinfusion.org.au

Sadaf Taimur, Director of Sustainability & Circularity, Goodwill Industries
Project Role:  Researcher
Email: sadaf.taimur@s.k.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Srinjoy Bose, Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations, School of Social Sciences University of New South Wales
Project Role: Researcher and report writing
Email: srinjoybose@gmail.com

For more information, please email Peter Mousaferiadis

Additional Resources:
https://diversityatlas.io/catalyst-for-peace-project/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/catalys-for-peace-by-diversity-atlas/about/
https://www.facebook.com/catalystforpeace/

Presentation

Guide ‘DEAI FOR PEACE: An insights guide on how museums can become catalysts for peace using solid Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion data.’

Youth Academy for Asia Peacebuilding: Summer School on Methodology of International Peacebuilding

Hosted by SWPS University, this project focuses on fostering peacebuilding efforts in East and Southeast Asia by providing a vibrant, cross-cultural platform for students, academics, and peace practitioners. The aim is to create a collaborative environment where participants can engage in meaningful discussions, share groundbreaking research, and develop innovative approaches to peace initiatives. Employing a mix of lectures, workshops, and panel discussions, the Summer School addresses critical themes such as trauma-informed conflict resolution, media's role in peacebuilding, and gender perspectives in peace efforts. The expected outcomes include an enhanced understanding of peace methodologies, strengthened networks among peacebuilders, and the formation of strategic partnerships aimed at sustaining peace in the region. 

Team Information:

Olga Barbasiewicz, Assitant Professor, Department of Asian Studies, Institute of Social Sciences, SWPS University
Project Role: Lecturer
Email: obarbasiewicz@gmail.com

Saya Kiba, Associate Professor, Kobe City University of Foreign Studies
Project Role: Lecturer
Email: saya_kiba@yahoo.co.jp

Joseph Tun Khaing, Program Manager, Part-time Lecturer, Peace Studies Center, Myanmar Institute of Theology
Project Role: Lecturer
Email: joseph.t.khong.psc@gmail.com

Kate Ramil, Assitant Professorial Lecturer, De La Salle University Manilla
Project Role: Lecturer
Email: kate.erasmus1@gmail.com

For more information, please email Joseph Tun Khaing

Additional Resources:
https://english.swps.pl/we-the-university/our-news-and-events/conferences-and-seminars/33671-asian-studies-summer-school-youth-academy-for-asia-peacebuilding

Transforming Peace Education through Social Emotional Learning (SEL) 

Transforming Peace Education through Social Emotional Learning (SEL)" is a pioneering project designed to integrate SEL into the education of youth from conflict-affected and marginalized contexts. By documenting and sharing effective SEL interventions from such contexts for potential adoption and replication, the project aims to empower local practitioners and stakeholders to foster profound community impact through the cultivation of tolerance, empathy, resilience, and peaceful coexistence. In its pilot phase, the project focuses on the implementation of innovative SEL curriculums in educational settings in Sri Lanka, Kenya and Austria - targeting youth from conflict-affected and marginalized communities from the Global South. It uses and documents both qualitative research methods and practice-oriented implementation of SEL interventions that embrace unique elements such as South-South learning, non-violent communication (NVC), Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), and arts-based approaches. 

Project Team

Manjula Dissanayake, Founder, Educate Lanka
Project Role: Project Lead
Email: manjuladlk@gmail.com

Rina Alluri, Assistant Professor, UNESCO Chairholder for Peace Studies, University of Innsbruck
Project Role: Project Co-Lead
Email: rina.alluri@uibk.ac.at

Samuel Karuita, Director of Programs, Peace Ambassadors Integration Organization
Project Role: Member
Email: skaruita@gmail.com

Mary Khine, Project Director, Jesuit Refugee Service-Myanmar
Project Role: Member
Email: mellykhine@gmail.com

Ah Bawk Nhkum, Education Coordinator, Myanmar Education Consortium
Project Role: Member
Email: bawknuawng@gmail.com

Zoya Sardashti, Founder & Artistic Director Home Soil Projects
Project Role: Member
Email: homesoilprojects@gmail.com

Muzzamil Sheikh, SPARC Research Adviser for Somalia, Mercy Corps
Project Role: Member
Email: muzzamil.abdi@gmail.com

Nirmani Liaynage, Program Manager/ Researcher, Search for Common Ground
Project Role: Deceased Member

For more information, please email Rina Alluri and Manjula Dissanayake

Additional Resources:
karanga.org/sel-for-peace
Project Presentation

SANGAM – The Festival of Confluence

SANGAM – The Festival of Confluence emerges as a revolutionary initiative to counteract the dual threats of climate change and regional conflicts in South Asia by engaging dynamic youth across the region. The project fosters dialogue, understanding, and youth leadership, beginning with a festival in Pakistan and expanding into Nepal. By blending ideas, cultures, and civilizations, it aims to cultivate a generation prepared to address climate-induced challenges and advocate for sustainable peace, shaping a future where resilient, harmonious communities prevail across South Asia. 

Project Team:

Sadaf Taimur, Director of Sustainability & Circularity, Goodwill Industries International Inc.
Project Role: Project Lead
Email: sadaftaimur28@gmail.com

Peter Mousaferiadis, Founder and CEO, Cultural Infusion
Project Role: Project Advisor
Email: peter.m@culturalinfusion.org.au

Irwan Malhotra, Co-Founder and Trustee, Givfunds Social Ventures
Project Role: Project Member
Email: irwan@givfunds.com

Annu Singh, Community Institution and Gender Specialist, Transform Rural India Foundation (TRIF)
Project Role: Project Member
Email: annusinghup@gmail.com

Subindra Bogati, Founder & CEO, Nepal Peacebuilding Initiative
Project Role: Project Member
Email: subindra@nepalpeacebuilding.org

Rina Alluri, Assistant Professor, UNESCO Chairholder for Peace Studies, University of Innsbruck
Project Role: Project Advisor
Email: rina.alluri@uibk.ac.at

Nirmal Kumar Upreti, President, Forum for Nation Building
Project Role: Project Advisor
Email: kristan@kristan.me

Navras J. Aafreedi, Assistant Professor, Presidency University
Project Role: Project Member
Email: navras.his@presiuniv.ac.in

Babu Ram Poudel, Program Manager, Pro Public
Project Role: Project Member
Email: baburam.poudel1@gmail.com

For more information, please email Sadaf Taimur

Additional Resources:
https://apifsangam.blogspot.com/
https://ygapakistan.org/confluence-4-peace/
SANGAM, the Festival of Confluence 
SANGAM Impact Report

K-BARMM

"Kababaihan Kapit-bisig para sa Kapayapaan sa Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (K-BARMM)" is a pioneering initiative aimed at preventing violent extremism by engaging and empowering Muslim women in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). This project addresses the root causes of extremism, such as gender discrimination, extreme poverty, and weak governance, by promoting an inclusive, gender-sensitive, and community-driven approach to peacebuilding.

The primary objectives are to capacitate Bangsamoro women through comprehensive training workshops, support their financial self-sufficiency via women-led livelihood programs, and provide continuous mentorship and advocacy opportunities. The approaches include capacity-building workshops, designing livelihood projects, mentoring, and promoting advocacy through online and offline platforms. These efforts aim to transform the participants into K-BARMM Ambassadors who can champion peace and counter extremism within their communities.

The anticipated outcomes include enhanced legal awareness among youth, improved access to justice, and stronger advocacy for youth protection. This initiative is set to make BARMM a safer place for women and girls, empowering them to rebuild their lives and act as positive agents of peace. Ultimately, the project seeks to create sustainable, locally-led solutions to violent extremism, fostering a more inclusive and peaceful society in the region.
 

Please note:
This project is currently dormant.

If you wish to be put on the list of those who want to be notified when this project resumes, please contact Kateryna Anselmi.

Additional Resources:
K-BARMM _ Concept Note
K-BARMM _ Promotional Video
Investing in women to prevent and counter violent extremism in BARMM 
Women Can Help Prevent Violent Extremism in the Philippines 

Peace to Peacebuilders: Strengthening Peacebuilders Resiliency in Crisis Situations

"Peace to Peacebuilders (P2P): Strengthening Peacebuilders Resiliency in Crisis Situations" is a pioneering initiative aimed at establishing a resilient network of peacebuilding practitioners. This project focuses on providing a safe space for listening sessions, meaningful dialogues, and wellness-focused training to support both local and global peacebuilders. Recognizing the severe mental, physical, and emotional challenges faced by peacebuilders operating in highly tense armed conflict areas, the project aims to enhance their psychological resilience by nurturing their emotional, mental, physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being.

The primary objectives of the project are to equip peacebuilders with the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes to navigate stressful situations in their personal and professional lives and to embed a culture of wellness and resilience within peacebuilding organizations. The project employs several key approaches, including needs assessment and module development through online research, interviews, and in-person consultations; capacity-building training workshops using resilience and wellness modules; and establishing a peer support network both online and offline.

The anticipated outcomes of the project include strengthened resilience among peacebuilders, empowerment to handle stress and professional demands, and the promotion of safe and supportive work environments within peacebuilding organizations. By fostering a culture of wellness and resilience, P2P aims to ensure that peacebuilders can continue their critical work effectively and sustainably, ultimately contributing to more robust and resilient peacebuilding efforts worldwide.

Project Team:

Jamila-Aisha Sanguila, Founder, Women Empowered to Act for Dialogue and Peace 
Project Role: Project Lead
Email: jamilaaishas@gmail.com

For more information, please email Jamila-Aisha Sangulia

Additional Resources:
Peace to Peacebuilders _ Consultation Video
Women peacebuilders continue to navigate gendered challenges 
How Peace Practitioners Can Better Cope with Crises
Peace to Peacebuilders
(3) Post | Feed | LinkedIn
P2P_Concept Note

Eco-Charge: A Resource Kit to Transform Eco-Anxiety into Eco-Community

“Eco-Charge" is designed for, and with, youth to integrate and address eco-anxiety within their existing climate action and/or mobilization programs through 3 key areas: (1) awareness, (2) self-healing through local wisdom, and (3) creative placemaking involving mobilizing art and culture to make the quality of life better within communities affected by the climate crisis. As a well-being and behavior adaptation resource and movement-building tool, Eco-Charge supports young people to address some of the affective burdens and challenges of living on a burning planet. Aimed at cultivating and improving resilience and leadership among young individuals, this project seeks to further strengthen the ecological and climate action movement in the Global South, helping create more holistic and prepared climate leaders who can translate concern into constructive action, and promote sustainable, peaceful co-existence within diverse communities. 

This project aims to pilot the resource kit in two countries; Cambodia and Nepal by leveraging existing climate youth networks and strengthening their ongoing activities contributing to the long-term project of movement building. The anticipated outcomes include increased awareness and integration of eco-anxiety in youth climate action, stronger and more sustainable youth-led climate movements, and policy interventions addressing the psychological impacts of climate change. Through these efforts, Eco-Charge aims to empower a new generation of empathetic climate leaders equipped to engage in advocacy and policy efforts to address climate crises in their communities, contributing to both environmental stewardship and mental well-being.

Project Team:

Anastacia Howe, Founder and Director, Conyat Create
Project Role: Project Lead
Email: anastacia.howe@conyatcreate.com

Sulochana Peiris, Freelance Documentary Maker and Writer
Project Role: Project Co-Lead 
Email: sulochanapeiris@gmail.com

Babu Ram Poudel, Program Manager, Pro Public
Project Role: Project Member
Email: baburam.poudel1@gmail.com

Subindra Bogati, Founder & CEO, Nepal Peacebuilding Initiative
Project Role: Project Member
Email: subindra@nepalpeacebuilding.org  

Almustaqim Balogun, Founder, Lens for Social Change
Project Role: Project Member
Email: Almustaqimb@gmail.com

Dena Arya, Research Associate, University of Pretoria
Project Role: Project Member

Lydia Hiraide, Professor, Soka University
Project Role: Project Member

For more information, please email Anastacia Howe

Additional Resources:
Eco-Charge: Transforming Eco Anxiety
Eco-Charge Presentation
Equipping Environmental Youth Leaders to Transform Eco-Anxiety (Part 1)
Equipping Environmental Youth Leaders to Transform Eco-Anxiety (Part 2)
Eco-AnxEco-Anxiety in the Mekong / YouTube Channel

Peace Advocates with Impact

The "Peace Advocates with Impact" project focuses on empowering displaced individuals in Burma/Myanmar with the skills, knowledge, and networks necessary to advocate for sustainable peace. Addressing the crises caused by the military coup, violence, and COVID-19 pandemic, this initiative aims to transform passionate individuals from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds into effective peace advocates. Through a five-day intensive training program followed by personalized mentoring, participants will gain insights into personal development, leadership, and strategic management. The anticipated outcomes include the creation of impactful peace initiatives, enhanced partnerships, and a strengthened community capacity for advocating peace, ultimately contributing to a more stable and harmonious society in Burma/Myanmar.

Please note:
The team decided to pause the project due to the current conflict in Burma/Myanmar, out of concern for the safety of the team members.

If you wish to be put on the list of those who want to be notified when this project resumes, please contact Kateryna Anselmi.