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Burundi

In the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide in 1994 and in response to ongoing instability in the Great Lakes Region, Search for Common Ground (SFCG) opened its first office in Africa in 1995 in Burundi's capital Bujumbura. With satellite offices in Ngozi and Makamba, SFCG in Burundi operates a national programme that uses a variety of mutually enhancing methods targeting multiple sectors of society. Through community peace-building and media work, SFCG in Burundi informs and educates the public about pertinent issues, builds the capacity of journalists and civic leaders, and strengthens the potential for inclusive participation in local communities. SFCG in Burundi consists of the radio-production facility Studio Ijambo, the Community Outreach Team, and the Victims of Torture Project.


May 2007 Issue
1. Conflict Transformation Theatre and Workshops for Refugees
2. Participatory Theatre for Conflict Transformation

Active Projects in Burundi
1. Studio Ijambo
2. Community Outreach Team
3. The Integrated Victims of Torture Project
Completed Projects
1. Ziggy Marley Public Service Announcements for Studio Ijambo
2. Heroes Summit 2004
3. The Spirit of Sangwe: Burundi's Largest-Ever Peace Festival
4. Public Pardon and Reconciliation Day: Nyamurenza Commune, Ngozi Province
5. Women's Peace Center
6. The Youth Project


Active Projects

1. Studio Ijambo
Studio Ijambo produces radio programmes to promote dialogue, peace and reconciliation. We examine all sides of the conflict, and highlight the points that can unite, rather than divide Burundians. The Studio Ijambo slogan - Dialogue is the future - captures the essence of the people who work there and what they do. [more]

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2. Community Outreach Team
In 2006, Search for Common Ground's (SFCG's) Women's Peace Centre and Youth Project merged to become the Community Outreach Team (COT). The COT carries out community interventions and supports efforts of local people to promote reconciliation, dialogue and collaboration. The COT aims to capitalise on the possibilities Burundi's new constitution offers for all people, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, economic standing, religion, or age. [more]

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3. The Integrated Victims of Torture Project
Despite the ratification of the U.N. Convention Against Torture in 1994 and the introduction of a revised Code of Criminal Procedure in Burundian law in 2000, the incidence of torture and the impunity with which it is carried out persist across Burundi. [more]

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Completed Projects

1. Ziggy Marley Public Service Announcements for Studio Ijambo
We are grateful to Ziggy Marley for the enthusiasm with which he responded to our request to record Public Service Announcements (PSAs) for Studio Ijambo in Burundi. [more]

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2. Heroes Summit 2004
In early 1995, shortly after the genocide in neighbouring Rwanda and in the midst of increasing ethnic tensions and violence, Search for Common Ground launched a series of media and community projects in Burundi aimed at reducing ethnic violence and supporting peacemaking efforts. [more]

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3. The Spirit of Sangwe: Burundi's Largest-Ever Peace Festival
From July 10-13, 2002, Bujumbura, the capital city of Burundi, rocked to the rhythms of dancers and swayed to the sounds of musicians during the Sangwe Festival. [more]

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4. Public Pardon and Reconciliation Day: Nyamurenza Commune, Ngozi Province
Saying, "I'm sorry," is not always easy. [more]

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5. Women's Peace Center
We established the Women's Peace Centre in January 1996, in recognition of the fact that Burundian women must be included as key players in the process of ethnic reconciliation- and must have access to the tools necessary to fulfil that role. [more] [more]

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6. The Youth Project
The Youth Project (YP), established in 1999, works with at-risk populations that often take part in violent conflicts as a result of political manipulation. The Youth Project brings together youth from different ethnic and geographical backgrounds for recreational and solidarity-building activities [more]

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Search for Common Ground in Burundi
B.P. 6180 27 Avenue de l'Amitie
Bujumbura, Burundi
Phones: + (257) 217 7194 / + (257) 217 7195
Fax: (257) 217-189
E-mail: burundi@sfcg.org