Peace and social cohesion by building trust and reconciliation across divides
At a time of increasing fragmentation, trust is diminishing around the world. Communities face racial and religious divides, intergenerational conflict, the rise of extremist attitudes, as well as social divisions and the legacy of war. Building on its extraordinary record of trustbuilding achievements over generations around the world, IofC is marshalling its resources to address global divides. The Trustbuilding Program (TBP) addresses divisive issues at the international and national levels on the premise that at the heart of these larger issues is a need to build trust and reconcile personal challenges before changes can occur outside of oneself.
The Program prioritizes the needs of communities in conflict, which are working on transformation of their societies. We explore individual change and create safe spaces for community leaders and young people to have honest and open dialogues about uncomfortable issues that pose challenges to initiating positive change in one’s life, families and communities. The program ensures having support on the ground from people of all walks of life including young people, migrants and refugees, committed to confronting the divides within their society.