Initiatives of Change

We are thrilled to announce that applications are open for the IofC Trustbuilding Awards 2025! 🌟 Are you passionate about bridging divides and fostering understanding in your community? Do you know an organization or individual whose work in trustbuilding deserves global recognition? The IofC Trustbuilding Awards celebrate those who build trust and promote reconciliation worldwide. 🌍 In this third year of hosting the awards, IofC seeks to raise the profile of individuals and organizations around the world that are working to bridge polarized groups, heal historical wounds and foster trusting relationships in communities. If this sounds like you or someone you know, take a look at our application process and read about previous award winners at https://lnkd.in/e64Gtypm 📸 Pictured: Jo Berry, Northern Ireland – Winner of the 2024 Lifetime Achiever Trustbuilding Award #trustbuilding #initiativesofchange #iofc #peacebuilding #healing #endviolence #communitysolutions

Exciting things are happening at the intersection of agriculture, sustainability and global collaboration! 🌾 A powerful partnership is emerging between the Initiatives of Change (IofC) and UNDP through the Conscious Food Systems Alliance (CoFSA). This collaboration is bringing farmers together to share stories, exchange knowledge and drive positive change in sustainable farming. This partnership was sparked at the Caux Inner Development Goals Forum in July 2024, where IofC's Farmers’ Dialogue International (FDI) connected with CoFSA. Since then, the momentum has continued to grow, with an online event on 21 November where speakers from the FDI programme shared their experiences and insights on sustainable agriculture, personal transformation and values-driven farming. 🌾 Speakers like Claude Bourdin and George Kamau highlighted the history and guiding principles of the FDI programme, while Jayashree Rao of the Grampari development center highlighted the deep connection between personal growth and sustainable farming, offering a platform for farmers to learn and inspire one another. 🔗 This partnership is just beginning, with more discussions and collaborations ahead! Keep an eye out for the upcoming FDI conference from 2-8 March, where farmers will come together to tackle the challenges of feeding the world while caring for the earth. Read the full story at https://lnkd.in/gJWjkvxB Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation Ignacio Packer Imad Karam Inner Development Goals Charlotte Dufour Initiatives of Change (India) Siddharth Singh Nadene C. #SustainableFarming #FarmersDialogue #GlobalPartnership #FoodSystems #IofC #CoFSA #Agriculture #PersonalChange #Sustainability #InitiativesofChange #Caux

When trust is lacking, polarization tears communities apart. The Initiatives of Change 2024 Trustbuilding Awards celebrated the inspiring individuals and organizations working to bridge divides worldwide. Watch the full event recording: https://lnkd.in/gKajkgAG #TrustBuilding #InitiativesOfChange #DayofPeace #peacebuilding #bridgingdivides #richmondva #richmond

Join this online event to hear more about the work of our Farmers Dialogue programme and how it has shaped local dialogues and actions worldwide!

Where is the US now, post-election? In his newest blog post, IofC's Rob Corcoran unpacks the unnerving results of the election, from examining gender, class and cultural gaps in voter preferences to the overwhelming influence of right-wing media that played a leading role in the election's outcome. In reflecting on Trump's victory and a deeply divided country, Corcoran notes that now more than ever, we must act with compassion and love. Read more: https://lnkd.in/giAd6wa6 #democracy #TrustBuilding #USElection2024 #IofC #InitiativesOfChange #polarization #peace #peacebuilding #Elections2024 #UnitedStates #Trump #compassion

The second annual Trustbuilding Awards, held in Richmond, Virginia on 20 September in partnership with Initiatives of Change USA, brought together an international community to amplify and celebrate outstanding individuals and organizations, underscoring the importance of youth leadership in building trust and raising the standards of 'trustbuilders' around the world. In case you missed it, check out the recording of the Trustbuilding Awards ceremony: youtu.be/kvlNqgRNfCU  Read more about the Trustbuilding Awards: https://lnkd.in/gMtx57RQ #trustbuilding #Richmond #Virginia #InitiativesofChange #IofC #awardseason #peace #DRC #youthleadership #empoweringwomen #bridgingdivides #genderjustice 

🌍 COP29 in Baku: A Call for Climate Action and Collaboration 🌍 As COP29 kicks off on 11 November in Baku, Azerbaijan, Initiatives of Change International and the Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation are joining forces with the Environment, Climate, Conflict and Peace (ECCP) community of global peacebuilding agencies to present actionable climate change policy recommendations to world leaders. The world is facing unprecedented climate impacts, from wildfires to hurricanes, and the need for urgent action has never been clearer. This year’s policy recommendations focus on climate finance, conflict sensitivity and mitigating the environmental impacts of violence and war. As Dr. Alan Channer of IofC’s Initiatives for Land, Lives and Peace programme highlights, 'As communities come under strain, conflicts can increase. At the same time, common threats can bring people together.' Building trust, fostering collaboration, and amplifying youth voices are key to achieving meaningful change. As Ignacio Packer, Executive Director of Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation puts it: 'We see it as our responsibility—and privilege—to make space for youth voices, to let their vision take the lead.' At COP29, the ECCP's policy recommendations aim to bridge theory with reality, calling for stronger commitments to sustainable peace and climate justice. Let’s make space for collaboration, and pave the way for a resilient, peaceful future. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gxFpTUgK Photography: Leela Channer #COP29 #ClimateAction #Peacebuilding #Sustainability #ClimateJustice #YouthLeadership #IofC #ECCP #Trustbuilding #UnitedNations #Baku

At the Geneva Peace Week, the Trustbuilding Program’s workshop, in collaboration with the Institute for Community Based Sociotherapy, explored how trust is cultivated in post-conflict societies. Diogene Karawanga’s work in Rwanda with genocide survivors focuses on making healing more authentic and sustainable, using the help of the local community as a “doctor” for those suffering. Leonid Donos highlighted the importance of mental health and self-care, and spoke about the role of forgiveness and trust in rebuilding Ukraine’s future. Discover how these local efforts pave the way for peace beyond borders. 👇 Read the full article through the link in the comments. Geneva Peacebuilding Platform #ConflictResolution #GenevaPeaceWeek #TrustBuilding #HealingJourneys #IofC #LeadershipInPeace

We are hiring! Apply to join Initiatives of Change's global movement as a junior fundraising assistant. This part-time, remote position will primarily support our award-winning Trustbuilding Program, playing a key role in ensuring its sustainability. Visit the link below for a job description and application instructions, and make sure to apply by our deadline of 10 November! https://lnkd.in/gGjC_PXJ #humanitarianjobs #trustbuilding #workforgood #initiativesofchange #IofC

'Peace@COP29 is a global participatory collective of over 200 individuals from more than 80 institutions across five continents, of which Initiatives of Change is a member, all dedicated to integrating peace responsiveness and conflict sensitivity into climate change policy. This newest policy paper, tackles eight core environmental, climate change, conflict and peace issues, providing actionable recommendations that key decision-makers can enact or demand within the UNFCCC negotiations at COP29.'