“The interfaith approach of GPF is built on the premise that there is a common vision that motivates and animates all of humanity. That vision is One Family under God.”

Dr. Hyun Jin Moon highlighted the unique peacebuilding approach of the Global Peace Foundation during his first visit to Abuja, Nigeria in 2013. Over the last decade, GPF Nigeria has taken significant strides in healing communities once divided between Christians and Muslims, tribal beliefs, and cultural traditions. Stakeholders across the country have joined Peace and Reconciliation Committees and, most recently, the establishment of Cooperative Societies.

Dr. Moon’s encouragement in 2013 forecasted the powerful transformation Nigeria had in store. “Africans have not been overwhelmed by their challenges. They have the spirit and hope to build a brighter future for themselves, their families, and their future generations. That is more precious than all the gold, oil, or diamonds that are on this continent. That is what will allow Africa to lift itself from its challenges and will bring a brighter future for the children and the children’s children.”

“I’m inspired by the enthusiasm and unity displayed today. Let’s harness the power of cooperation to create sustainable livelihoods and opportunities for all members of our community.”

A leader of the Ni’ima Cooperative Society, a partner of the Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Nigeria, expressed enthusiasm for the joint efforts to bridge religious and cultural divides in Southern Kaduna, saying, “I’m inspired by the unity and enthusiasm displayed today. Let’s harness the power of cooperation to create sustainable livelihoods and opportunities for all members of our community.”

In a one-day event held in Fadan Chawai on March 2, 2024, more than 160 men, women, and youth gathered to hear keynote speeches from community and religious leaders advocating for cooperative societies and peaceful coexistence. The audience included families, local authorities, and people from various cultural backgrounds.

“As the Divisional Police Officer, I commend the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders in promoting peace and economic stability,” said one participant, “Let’s continue working together for a safer and prosperous community.”

A representative of GPF Nigeria stated, “On behalf of the Global Peace Foundation, I applaud the community’s commitment to unity and cooperation. Together, we can build a future of peace and prosperity for all as members of One Family Under God.”

A captain from the Nigerian Army was moved by the collaboration he saw at the forum, stating, “I commend the community’s dedication to peacebuilding. Let’s continue to support each other in fostering security and development.”

The Kauru Peace and Reconciliation Committee chairman also commended the community for coming together to build a more resilient community. The peace committee is one of several groups formed following years of peacebuilding workshops and facilitated dialogue by GPF Nigeria. Together with local partners, the peace committee strives to foster collaboration, enhance community empowerment, strengthen security, and increase economic resilience.

The original post appears on Global Peace Foundation. Global Peace Foundation is an international non-sectarian, non-partisan, nonprofit organization, which promotes an innovative, values-based approach to peacebuilding, guided by the vision of One Family under God. GPF engages and organizes a global network of public and private-sector partners who develop community, national, and regional peacebuilding models as the foundation for ethical and cohesive societies. Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon is the founder and chairman of the Global Peace Foundation.

Global Peace Foundation’s ongoing peacebuilding work in Nigeria is healing communities traumatized by religious persecution and tribal and cultural conflict. Peacebuilding workshops centered around the theme of “One Family under God” help participants explore shared values across traditions to drive positive social change and build more inclusive communities.

Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Nigeria collaborated with the Christian Rural and Urban Development Association (CRUDAN) to host peacebuilding workshops in November and December 2023.

One training on the freedom of religion aimed to address religious conflicts and promote harmonious communities. The event brought together diverse communities to envision violence-free societies. Tear Fund Peace Foundation’s dedicated staff played a pivotal role in facilitating the training. CRUDAN and GPF Nigeria facilitators also skillfully guided participants through small group discussions, emphasizing freedom of religious choice, respect for human dignity, and envisioning a society free of violence. The facilitators’ expertise contributed to the program’s success, fostering a space where participants felt empowered to share their perspectives and commit to positive change.

Through this collaborative initiative, participants gained insights into shared values and committed to applying their knowledge in their communities. The training proved instrumental in achieving its objectives, with participants now serving as advocates, calling themselves Freedom of Religion and Belief agents for community cohesion. Together, they are championing service-oriented initiatives in their localities. The collaborative effort underscored the significance of partnerships in driving positive social change and building resilient, inclusive communities.

GPF Nigeria and CRUDAN also collaborated on capacity-building workshops to equip participants with mediation and reconciliation skills. The training improved inter-community relations and organized a dialogue forum to reduce conflict escalation on November 16, 2023.

Women and youth leaders fostered discussion on pressing issues at the community dialogue forum. The participants, empowered with mediation and reconciliation skills, actively addressed conflict within their communities. The forum served as a platform for dialogue, enabling the exchange of perspectives and developing collective solutions. Importantly, they agreed on a way forward, showcasing the tangible application of the acquired skills in real-life community scenarios.

The collaborative effort between GPF Nigeria and CRUDAN equipped individuals with valuable conflict resolution tools. It facilitated a forum where diverse voices converged, fostering a collective commitment to building harmonious and resilient communities.

GPF Nigeria and CRUDAN organized a Trauma Healing Training in December 2023, designed to navigate the complex dynamics of trauma, providing participants with valuable tools to recognize, cope with, and overcome the aftermath of deeply distressing events.

Integral to the program’s success was its seamless integration of the values and principles espoused by the One Family Under God campaign. By incorporating themes of forgiveness, love, trustworthiness, and the celebration of diversity, the training addressed the immediate concerns related to trauma and laid a foundation for long-term healing and reconciliation within the communities involved. This intentional alignment with the campaign’s core values contributed to a transformative experience, fostering an environment where participants could find common ground and embrace a shared vision of unity.

“The training was thought-provoking and eye-opening,” said Aisha, “I feel liberated after the forgiveness session, knowing that I have forgiven anyone who wronged me knowingly or unknowingly.”

The participants’ active participation and positive testimonies testify to the program’s efficacy. The openness displayed during the sessions and the willingness to engage with challenging topics indicate a genuine commitment to personal and communal healing. The recommendations put forth by participants further highlight the potential for the initiative’s sustained success and long-term impact. As participants advocate for the program’s expansion, mainly to engage more women in the community, the ripple effects of this training are poised to extend far beyond its initial scope, creating a positive legacy of resilience, understanding, and unity within the participating communities.

The Trauma Healing Training stands as a beacon of hope, showcasing the profound impact that collaborative, values-driven initiatives can have on the well-being and cohesion of communities recovering from trauma.

The original post appears on Global Peace Foundation. Global Peace Foundation is an international non-sectarian, non-partisan, nonprofit organization, which promotes an innovative, values-based approach to peacebuilding, guided by the vision of One Family under God. GPF engages and organizes a global network of public and private-sector partners who develop community, national, and regional peacebuilding models as the foundation for ethical and cohesive societies. Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon is the founder and chairman of the Global Peace Foundation.

You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete. –Buckminster Fuller

The 21st century opened with hopes for an era of peace. Yet the first two decades have continued to be plagued by identity-based conflict, violent extremism, and all that they bring. 

Since 2009, the Global Peace Foundation has advanced models of reconciliation and peace based on a simple truth, that all humanity is “One Family Under God.” This vision has resonated with communities and nations around the world and has since become a platform for engagement, relationship-building, the development between unlikely.

A decade later, many of its models are yielding significant results. We have played an important part in mitigating violent outbreaks, empowering youth and families, and cultivating social cohesion in communities that have long been at odds with one another. Our peacebuilding model in Nigeria offers significant lessons for building peaceful communities around the world.

The Role of Faith Leaders 

It began all began as a process as we started to engage with particular two leaders—one Christian and one Muslim who have since been dubbed the “Kaduna Twins.” Our work and their story in particular, has helped to transform community relations between groups in conflict as well as relationships between security forces, the government and the medias. Together, these groups have begun to engage in dialogue and negotiation, overcoming sporadic violence and tragedy together towards the vision of building “One Family Under God.”

Most recently, with the stressors of the COVID-19 pandemic at its peak, violence erupted in the villages of Gonan Rogo, Makyali, Agwala, Ungwan Modi, and Ungwan Rana. Global Peace Foundation, Nigeria quickly began to engage the community. Rev. Hayab and Sheik Maraya, the “Kaduna Twins,” came together with those who took shelter in the refugee camps, mourning with the community in the loss of lives and destruction of property, distributing much-needed aid and encouraging resilience, fortitude, and the understanding of a larger vision for peace as “One Family Under God.”

Kajuru Youth Dialogue 2020

In a follow up to this program, Christian and Muslim youth from the affected areas were brought together in a round table discussion to pursue solutions to bring lasting peace to the wider community. The youths were tasked to spread the same message of peace to their local communities and encouraged them to pursue dialogue and peacebuilding rather than violence and revenge.

Transforming Communities

Their work with the Global Peace Foundation began in 2016, with then GPF Nigeria Country Director, John Oko. They began In Kaduna State, one of the most diverse states in all of Nigeria that was particularly fraught with killings, destruction of property, fear, anger, and unrest. Most of all, people were tired of the conflict.

One Family under God campaign 2017

Eventually in 2017, the work spread to Southern Kaduna, through connections that had heard of our work with the One Family Under God campaign in other parts of Kaduna state. Through the long and arduous process of dialogue with different groups, negotiations and agreements, the communities began to form a dialogue platform that they dubbed the “Southern Kaduna Peace and Reconciliation Committee.”

This committee is made up of Muslim and Christian representatives to include youth, faith, women, and traditional leaders of different tribes and has been critical in handling delicate situations that have plagued Southern Kaduna for months.

Real Results

In a review of data collected by Crisis Watch, an organization that tracks the global conflict, we were able to ascertain some of the results of the work with the Southern Kaduna Peace and Reconciliation Committee.

In the 18 months leading up to the formation of SKPRC and the training and programs the GPF Nigeria team provided for them, killings in Southern Kaduna state made up 54% of the total number of killings in the Middle Belt region of Nigeria. And yet, in 18 months after the GPF intervention, even while there was a 22% increase of killings as a whole, the number of killings in Southern Kaduna dramatically dropped to make up only 1% of the total number of killings.

The approach has been simple. Through working with youth, women, tribal elders, and religious leaders, Global Peace Foundation has been spreading the message that all Nigerians, whatever their religion, tribe, profession, are, “One Family Under God,” and should be treated as such.

International Day of Peace 2019

Increased dialogue and engagement between the community leaders and security agencies resulted in non-violent local elections and local communities have taken up the call to own the vision of One Family Under God for themselves, celebrating peace through a multi-cultural celebration of the International Day of Peace in 2019.

A Model for Peace

Models like this one allow us to test the validity and efficacy of Global Peace Foundation’s values-based approach. The GPF model in Nigeria has worked in different contexts to create a shared understanding between groups even in the aftermath of violent conflict. This model has and can be applied to other contexts. The focus on universal principles and shared values makes it possible to replicate the GPF peacebuilding and community-building approach in countries as far apart as and as varied as the United States, Mongolia, Indonesia, Korea, Paraguay, Tanzania and beyond.

The original post appears on Global Peace Foundation. Global Peace Foundation is an international non-sectarian, non-partisan, nonprofit organization, which promotes an innovative, values-based approach to peacebuilding, guided by the vision of One Family under God.  GPF engages and organizes a global network of public and private-sector partners who develop community, national, and regional peace building models as the foundation for ethical and cohesive societies. Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon is the founder and chairman of the Global Peace Foundation.

“If you want to go fast, go alone; but if you want to go far, go together.”
—African proverb

The following article is from Global Peace Foundation describing the importance of the vision of “One Family under God” and it’s practical application to areas of conflict specifically in Southern Kaduna, Nigeria where interfaith efforts have worked to steadily bring stability, cooperation, and safety to areas once stricken with violence.

Through the hard-won lessons of a post-conflict Southern Kaduna, Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Nigeria has been working to look past conflict to imagine: what’s next? Because the premise for the One Family Under God Campaign had always been about a shared future, this development is a natural one as well as a welcome one.

Just as recently as early 2017, lives were shattered, crops were lost and children were unable to attend school in Kaninkon. Yet today, this same community is beginning to plan community programs and activities between those who once were in fierce and bitter conflict with one another. This, we see, is only possible when both parties were able to see for themselves the reality that they are part of One Family Under God.

Country Director, John Oko observed that “at the time of conflict, we are like firefighters; we’re looking to put out the fire and so we take water from whatever buckets we can find. We aren’t looking to ask questions as to what the water was being kept for; it is an emergency.” Yet, following the cessation of violent conflict, a ceasefire has taken hold and we can see that it is not enough to put out the fires. We need to think through what structures and practices are necessary to prevent future fires.

To this end, how can we transform the people, the culture, practices, and education of society on a mass scale? It is this question that has led GPF and local stakeholders across Kaduna state to begin to imagine the process of social transformation.

It starts with the clarity of a shared vision – the vision of One Family Under God. This simple vision calls on all of us to reach far beyond a society without violent conflict. It asks us to imagine, with our hearts full, of a world that that brings with it human flourishing, sustainable, creative development and breathtaking, even civilizational advances.

We are dreamers. But this vision is wrought out of the ashes of lost dreams, lost lives, and from the hopes to never have to have anyone else ever have to experience the same. Those who have experienced the horrors and effects of conflict are the ones who best understand the need for peace. The situation may still be considered a fragile peace, but GPF and local partners have displayed a strong commitment to unraveling the messy knots of conflict, working to build a shared future, together.

Peacebuilders like those in Nigeria must be mindful of the fact that the travails, lessons, and mistakes made along the way can also be made into contributions to our entire, global family. GPF is constantly sharing with and learning from partners and chapters around the world. It has taken time to get the necessary traction in all of these efforts, slowly culling from these important lessons and seeing new promise and possibilities. Most notably, these have all arisen out of relationships and partnerships that were once unthinkable!

And now, begin the hard, but joyful, part – the planting of the seeds of peace and the seeds of a shared community. We invite all of you to be a part of building and growing this – a world of One Family Under God, one community at a time.

What can you do to bring One Family Under God in your community?

The original post appears on Global Peace Foundation. Global Peace Foundation is an international non-sectarian, non-partisan, nonprofit organization, which promotes an innovative, values-based approach to peacebuilding, guided by the vision of One Family under God.  GPF engages and organizes a global network of public and private-sector partners who develop community, national, and regional peace building models as the foundation for ethical and cohesive societies. Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon is founder and chairman of the Global Peace Foundation.

In its earliest stages, the One Family Under God Campaign in Nigeria started out as somewhat of a puzzle. The campaign initially started out of an initiative following the 2013 Global Peace Leadership Conference (GPLC) in Abuja.

“We had the pieces, that was for sure, we just needed to figure out how they fit together,” reflected John Oko, the Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Nigeria Country Director. Though Nigeria faced many challenges, it had certain very powerful resources, found most especially in the deeply rooted faith of its people, already noted for being one of the most religious peoples in the world. It was in the challenge of unlocking this potential into a force for positive social transformation that GPF’s partnerships became essential. For this and many other such reasons, the Global Peace Leadership Conference played an important role in providing a values-based platform, bringing together a wide, multi-sector network of people and organizations to work for the cause of peace and development.

Drawing both lessons and inspiration from the Nigerian Interfaith Action Association (NIFAA), one of the largest Christian-Muslim collaborations in history, GPF began to work with faith and traditional rulers of local communities. NIFAA is a local grassroots collaboration to utilize the basic social infrastructures of the various faith communities to curb and prevent malaria in rural communities. To do this successfully, NIFAA collaborated with both Muslim and Christian faith leaders and traditional rulers to educate their constituents on practical ways to prevent malaria.

Bishop Dr. Sunday N. Onuoha (left) and Rev. John Hayab (right) attending the Global Peace Leadership Conference 2018 in Uganda to share best practices of Nigerian peacebuilding efforts.

Put simply, faith and traditional rulers play an inimitable role in Nigeria as well as many other societies. Oko notes, “Faith and traditional rulers are in it for the long haul; they have the authority and role in the community that simply isn’t to be found elsewhere.” Every faith community relies and depends on its faith leaders to play the role of trusted spiritual advisor. Even while we rarely associate mundane, everyday actions and behaviors with that of faith leaders, faith leaders play a practical role in the way one’s faith is lived out in the community.

To this point, when medical or healthcare workers began to try to persuade local people to use insecticide-treated nets to prevent the spread of malaria, they were met with skepticism and suspicion, despite their expertise and experience in health and medical fields. In contrast, when NIFAA began to engage faith and traditional rulers to spread this same message, people were then quick to take up both the message and the use of the nets. The reason for this kind of success is simple: local people trust their faith and traditional leaders, even in matters regarding health.

It was this understanding and GPF’s vision and values-based platform that allowed GPF to develop an effective strategy to work towards greater peace and social cohesion in Nigeria. In the process of engaging with many different kinds of people with different needs and perspectives, the GPF team continued to garner lessons to improve their focus and delivery of the message. With additional exchanges between Co-Operation Ireland in Northern Ireland, GPF Nigeria was able to learn from others and share their own insights in what is referred to as “peace sharing” – sharing and spread the lessons of peace, which led to important breakthroughs. The initial interfaith peacebuilding retreats developed into peacebuilding and capacity building programs and began to include youth and women leaders. Today, the campaign continues to develop and adapt to the changing needs of the communities.

Bishop Dr. Sunday N. Onuoha, Executive Director of NIFAA, delivers message from former president of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo.

Most recently, GPF’s grassroots community peacebuilding efforts led to the recognition that its approach could address the violent conflict between the migrant Fulanese herdsman and local natives in Southern Kaduna. While violence and hot conflict continues in and across Nigeria, peace has continued to hold among the communities that GPF has engaged in its peacebuilding efforts. A shared vision between all members of the community and the cooperation of both Muslim and Christian faith leaders have been critical to bringing peace to these communities in conflict. Undoubtedly, they will also play a critical role in moving from community peace to community empowerment.

Executive Director of NIFAA, Bishop Dr. Sunday N. Onuoha, acted as a special advisor to GPF in its earliest efforts and continues to bring much needed attention to critical issues between faith and tribal communities and how they might be resolved. He noted, “In Nigeria, there are equal numbers of Christians and Muslims. We can utilize this to be a positive asset for the country by enjoining them to work for the good of all people. The One Family Under God Campaign in Nigeria has brought much hope in response to the pain and suffering experienced most recently by those in Southern Kaduna. Our prayer is that they are able to continue their good work well on into the future.”

In the most recent Global Peace Leadership Conference in Uganda, key leaders of the GPF Nigeria One Family Under God Campaign continued to share the lessons learned and best practices they’ve developed in the course of working to build peace and social cohesion in Nigeria. These included discussions of both private and public sector partnerships, discussions on community-driven development, key learnings from dealing with issues related to security, conflict, mediation, media and more.

And so, the process of peace sharing continues on around the world.