Shaping future leaders for peace and reconciliation
Peace remains fragile in Burundi. Today’s students may not have experienced war, but the ethnic tensions that led to genocide, a decade-long civil war, and an attempted coup in 2015 still linger below the surface. Laurent Kayogera, a staff member with UGBB, the IFES national movement, reports that hate speech, unrest, and violence is easily provoked both on university campuses and in the broader society.
Through his LCI project, Laurent has promoted dialogue about peace and reconciliation and equipped students and religious leaders to prevent and resolve conflicts on university campuses and churches.
Laurent organized three conflict resolution workshops, which were attended by more than 60 students. They explored connections between faith, science, and culture by examining biblical texts, legal principles, and Burundian traditional approaches to conflict resolution.
The training sessions stirred action. At one workshop, student leaders from UGBB were joined by three members of the University of Burundi’s Joint Commission for the Peaceful Resolution of Conflicts. Prompted by Laurent’s workshop, the commission has established general assemblies for students to dialogue on student life and avoid disputes in the university community.
Students were so enthusiastic about the workshops that they have resolved to organise similar future events. To reach more students and campuses, Laurent also released a podcast series on Facebook about dialogue as an alternative to violence.
Laurent’s project has touched religious leaders as well. Although the majority of Burundi’s population identify as Christian, inter-church conflicts and leadership crises are common – especially regarding succession. So, Laurent facilitated a conflict-resolution workshop for 13 church leaders.
“I remain convinced that creating spaces to discuss ethnic issues and the roots of conflict can shift mindsets, which can change behaviour,” shares Laurent. “I know that doesn’t happen overnight. But with time, with the Lord’s help, my prayer is that the Lord will help us demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit in times of conflict.”
One student who participated in one of Laurent’s conflict resolution workshops explained:
“I never realised that we could discuss these ethnic issues with such an open heart. It shows me that there’s still hope.”