Coexistence
Developing an attitude and means of achieving coexistence is key to overcoming many intractable religious, ethnic, and other intergroup conflicts. However, defining what coexistence is and how it can be achieved, is a challenge. Helen Chauncey, Angela Khaminwa, and Sarah Peterson all talked to us about their coexistence work with the NGO, The Coexistence Initiative. Some of their most useful insights are highlighted here; and more are available in their full interviews. |
Defining "Coexistence"
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Helen Chauncey defines coexistence. |
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Helen Chauncey defines "coexistence" in terms of the constructive embracing of identity and diversity. |
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Angela Khaminwa emphasizes the flexibility of meanings of the concept "coexistence." |
Why Coexistence Matters
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Angela Khaminwa quotes Susan Collin Marks, "If we don't coexist, we all co-destruct." |
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Helen Chauncey likens their work in achieving coexistence to the early human-rights era. |
Working for Coexistence
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Helen Chauncey explores the similarities between transformative mediation and their coexistence work. |
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Helen Chauncey says intervenors should not be neutral when it comes to identity issues, rather they should be bi-partisan. |
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Sarah Peterson and Angela Khaminwa say that coexistence must be developed slowly over time. |
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Helen Chauncey explains how fear can interfere with coexistence efforts. |
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Angela Khaminwa and Sarah Peterson explain the interrelationship between peacebuilding and coexistence work. |
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Angela Khaminwa and Sarah Peterson discuss ways to "scale up" coexistence work to the national level to address issues of structural violence. |
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Angela Khaminwa, Program Officer for Outreach and Communication at The Coexistence Initiative, discusses shortcomings of training in the field, describes her current work on coexistence and social inclusion policies. |
Case Examples
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Sarah Peterson describes a negotiation process in South Africa involving land reform that has, with effort, led to longer-term coexistence. |
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Coexistence is a situation in which people embrace diverse identities constructively. Helen Chauncey explains this notion in the context of Cyprus. |
