Working with Local Faith Actors to Build Peace and Reconciliation in Burundi: When Research Meets Practice

Dr Theodore Mbazumutima

Rema Burundi

The core research team in Sri Lanka. From left to right: Prof Jayeel Cornelio, Prof emer. Kaling Tudor Silva, Dr Jennifer Philippa Eggert, Dr Kathryn Kraft, Prof Emma Tomalin, Dr Theo Mbazumutima

Canesius Ndayikeza

University of Burundi

The core research team in Sri Lanka. From left to right: Prof Jayeel Cornelio, Prof emer. Kaling Tudor Silva, Dr Jennifer Philippa Eggert, Dr Kathryn Kraft, Prof Emma Tomalin, Dr Theo Mbazumutima

The Hidden Peacebuilding Network has initiated participatory action research in Burundi to explore and document the contributions of local faith actors in fostering community resilience, peace, and reconciliation. One of the first activities of the project in Burundi was a do-no-harm approach workshop that took place in November 2023.

  The research project, entitled “Building Community Resilience, Peace, and Reconciliation as a Response to Global (Dis)Order: The ‘Tangible’ and ‘Intangible’ Aspects of Local Faith Actors’ Contributions,” is being implemented in three countries: Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Burundi. In Burundi, the activities are coordinated by Rema Burundi, a Burundian NGO aimed at reintegrating displaced people.

The do-no-harm workshop, marking the project’s formal launch, took place at Martego Hotel in Gitega.It was facilitated by World Vision Burundi, one of the project partners. Twenty local faith leaders from various religions and regions across the country attended the three-day workshop. The participants included Muslims, Catholics, and Protestants. Professor Emma Tomalin, representing the University of Leeds (UK) and the principal investigator of the project, was also in attendance.

In her opening remarks, Emma Tomalin highlighted that the three-day workshop provided a significant opportunity to learn about peace and reconciliation efforts in Burundi from religious actors. She encouraged participants to engage interactively to achieve results that would lead to tranquillity, peace, and wellbeing in their communities.

Focusing on the do-no-harm approach, the workshop provided a space for participants to contribute actively by asking questions and engaging in discussions. The first day included interactive games, allowing participants to introduce themselves and build confidence in one another, setting a positive tone for the days ahead.

Dr Theodore Mbazumutima, speaking on behalf of Rema Burundi which managed all logistics for the seminar, expressed his excitement, saying, “Faith leaders have much influence in the country, and we believe this workshop is another cornerstone in strengthening your work as peacebuilders.” Initially, some participants were hesitant to share their views, possibly due to their religious beliefs.  For instance, some Muslims and Catholic sisters indicated that this was one of the few occasions when they were compelled to engage in discourse together on matters pertaining to their respective faiths. However, as the workshop progressed, this atmosphere of distrust dissipated, and participants engaged in constructive dialogue. The dissolution of the initial distrust can be attributed to the effective facilitation of the workshop, which ensured that each participant interacted with each other to discuss the dividers and connectors between the different faiths represented in the room. Mr. Albert, the facilitator, noted, “I have never encountered such a dynamic, determined group of critical thinkers in my entire career.”

Photo: Participants in the do-no-harm workshop in Gitega

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