'Peace, it is men who change.'

Several methods were used to encourage change in the key players in the region:

Providing tools for reconciliation: opening up to your own suffering in order to heal the wounds of the past, recognising the suffering of others and looking at your own mistakes and those of your community, asking for or granting forgiveness. Getting to the root of conflicts by striking at the frustrations, fears, personal or community hatreds, mindsets of exclusion, prejudices and contempt that give rise to conflicts.

Supporting the leaders on all sides to help them to set out a vision and long-term strategy that will take into account the interests of all parties and to take up stances that are conducive to peace.

Creating a network of people united through relations of trust and committed to promoting reconciliation beyond national and regional fault lines. The most effective way of encouraging the desired questioning and changes in mindsets is through personal accounts of changes experienced, presented on video, visual learning aids and direct personal accounts.

Funding

The project enjoys funding from the Swiss Foreign Affairs Ministry (DFAE).