PEACE/CONFLICT RESOLUTION & LEADERSHIP TRAINING FOR:

Inter-ethnic & INTER-RELIGIOUS GROUPS

‘Unity through Diversity’
We work across Ethiopia and the continent bringing together diverse groups (ethnically, religiously or otherwise) for peace/conflict resolution and prevention. We lead groups through a fun and creative process of discovering the possibilities that exist when we unite in peace and use our diversity as our strength. For example, by bringing together inter-religious councils across the nation, they acted to prevent violence and advocated for peace between diverse groups- which was successful in preventing electoral violence. We also offer ToT trainings (training of trainers) in peace/conflict resolution.

opposition, SECURITY & REBEL FORCE GROUPS

Another focus area of Hiwot is training and/or providing conflict resolution to opposing or enemy groups. This has included political opposition parties, security and rebel force groups who are engaged in armed conflict, among others. This has proved successful as groups unite, forgive, and then actively work towards peace in their communities. Participants have been awarded by other organizations such as World Vision as 1 participant went on to train over 700 other people in his community; another one trained over 500 people following the training and so on. This has provided conflict resolution but has also acted for future conflict prevention as it is multiplied.

Hard shots

addressing challenging issues with youth through soccer

We focus on developing leaders in the most unreached and at-risk areas of East Africa who will cascade positive change among their people groups. There is a proverb that says ‘culture eats strategy for breakfast’. Therefore, knowledge or strategy alone does not change harmful practices; the common thread of our volunteer work is developing leaders who can address belief systems at a core level that affects gender inequalities, ethnic and religious conflict and communities’ capacity for positive growth- all through fun & participatory based methodology. This has taken us across the nation working among tribal groups from the South Sudan border, to the Somali border, South Omo and refugee camps. We tackle issues of youth joining extremist movements, gender inequality (FGM, girls going to school), genocide, conflict, human trafficking, child soldiers, and more. At times, this is done through soccer.

Why Soccer?

It is the context of some of our work here in Ethiopia.  It is a beloved sport and it has the power to transcend cultural, ideological, religious, conflict and generational borders. Especially for youth- 70+% of the population- they are hungry and willing to listen if it involves soccer. While most would be hesitant to attend any formal training on issues such as peace or gender equality, when it’s done through football, it acts as an instant relationship and peace builder regardless of ethnicity, religion or conflict, where issues can be addressed in creative ways. In the spirit of Hiwot, we practice long term leadership training and aim to address the holistic person so they can learn deeper purpose and positive leadership to transform their communities.  

In this part of the world, soccer is many things.

JOY•PASSION•BELONGING •CHILDHOOD TO ADULTHOOD 

ACCEPTANCE • Peace • STRATEGIC THINKING • SKILL BUILDING 

HOPE•ESCAPE•EQUALITY•A LIFE LESSON•FUN • ONE INEXPENSIVE BALL

ETHIOPIA IS IN THE HORN OF AFRICA.

It borders sudan, south sudan, eritrea, djibouti, somaliland, somalia, and kenya.

A FAST GROWING COUNTRY

2007 - 2016

Ethiopia has the second largest population in Africa at about 120 Million people, and is growing rapidly.