We equip local trustbuilders
We provide local trustbuilders with what is needed to work together to heal historical wounds, reconcile and finding last solutions. From the principle that change starts with oneself.
Trust: a foundation for lasting peace
80% of humanitarian crisis are conflict-related
Where trust is lacking, polarization tears communities apart. It fuels inequality and even minor disagreements can escalate into wide-scale violence. Through trustbuilding and reconciliation the Trustbuilding Program helps communities in conflict to create lasting peace from the ground up. Our goal is to overcome divisions to realize social cohesion and equity.
How the Trustbuilding Program Works
We incorporate multiple perspectives
We are relevant and inclusive. Each project is locally owned and designed around the local needs for social cohesion and equity. People from all communities and walks of life are invited to join.
We invest in the future
Building trust is a long-term commitment. We build capacities and resilience of individuals and communities to create lasting peace and development.
3,305
people reached directly
55
trustbuilders in 7 countries on 4 continents
5,000+
volunteer hours contributed
Read more about the work of the Trustbuilding Program
Trustbuilding Program Countries
Australia
Developing relationships between First Nations Peoples and non-Indigenous Australians.
Canada
Honest dialogues on the root causes of discrimination in Quebec.
France
Preventing further radicalization of French youth through education.
Indonesia
Equipping youth with ways to counter extremism through advocacy.
Kenya
Developing interfaith and interethnic conversation spaces to reduce community violence.
Nepal
Establishing trust between Madhesi and Pahadi communities.
South Africa
Healing generational traumas caused by disrupted family structures.
WHAT CAN I DO?
Learn more about the Trustbuilding Program
To build sustainable peace through trustbuilding for generations to come.
We work with all sides of a conflict, providing the tools needed to work together and find lasting solutions.
We believe that change starts with oneself. We focus on people’s personal responsibility. This breaks the cycle of denial, blame, and victimhood. Individuals become trustbuilders by being willing to take a fearless look at their own attitudes and behavior.
Core Operations
Talia Smith - Program Manager
Alena Vasilyeva - Program Assistant
Manon Michelle Monhemius - Communications Officer
Rob Corcoran - Program Design & Training consultant
Jessie Sutherland - Evaluations Consultant
Hengi Bayat - Fundraising Manager
The Trustbuilding Program is governed by a Program Steering Group
Ron Lawler (Chair); Alex Wise; Roweida Saleh; Barry Hart; Firyal Mohamed; Mediatrix Masava; Imad Karam; and Shakiyla Smith (Fetzer Institute).
Talia Smith - Planning Committee Chair
Alex Wise - Fundraising Committee Chair
The Trustbuilding Program is in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. Through addressing this goal, we play our part in the wider conflict prevention agenda.
The Knowledge Hub offers resources and best practices from the Trustbuilding Program and its project teams.
Fetzer Institute
Trustbuilding Program Founding Partner
MasterPeace
Mobilizing, inspiring and connecting talents for a sustainable future with less conflict.
The Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers
Builds bridges between grassroots peacemakers and global players in order to strengthen the work done for sustainable peace.
ECOSOC
IofC International has special consultative status at the UN’s Economic and Social Council.
Council of Europe
IofC International has participatory status at the Council of Europe