The war in Zimbabwe, the coup in Kenya, and finally, the Rwanda genocide changed the course of my life.

During the eight years I lived in Africa, I became close friends with a couple that happened to be in Rwanda when tragedy struck. They were newly married and had their first child on the way when they were slaughtered.

I was devastated. All I could think was, “I have to do something.”

I couldn’t do anything to stop the genocide, but I could help the survivors. From that moment on, I was working with NGOs, conducting studies, and researching genocide prevention and how to heal communities affected by catastrophic tragedies like what happened in Rwanda. Over the years, I have worked with many mentors and leaders in the peacebuilding space, particularly in the area of genocide prevention. I was struck by a statement that the first of the eight stages of genocide was the mentality of “us vs. them,” and I was floored. The whole world is in the first stage of genocide! Identity-based conflict plagues communities everywhere.

When I began working for the Global Peace Foundation, I learned about our shared identity. We are all One Family under God. I’ve spent the last twenty years unpacking that identity, making it real, and figuring out how to “live it.” This resulted in creating the term; Community-Driven Peacebuilding. As we have developed workshops and interactive exercises to bring oppositional groups together based on our common humanity, I’ve learned that each of us has those shared ideals deep inside us. Scholars refer to this as the “global ethos.”

At GPF, we have learned that people will stay at the peacebuilding table if their relationships are built on these shared bedrock principles; then compromise can happen—mutual respect and understanding can happen. Our solutions are community-driven. Issues are already in the hearts and minds of each particular community, and the local people are the best source for finding solutions. We facilitate the way for them to be able to compromise and negotiate.

I have been absolutely inspired by the people who have joined us in building peace together through our shared identity. I learned that global peace may not fully be enjoyed in our lifetime, but the work we do today will bring peace to generations to come. 

Your help is needed to continue our work. Please support us by sending your generous donation today give.globalpeace.org and select “Community-Driven peacebuilding” to support our global family.

Thank you for your support and contribution.

With best wishes for the holidays,

Gail Hambleton,
Senior Program Specialist, Values-based Peacebuilding
Global Peace Foundation