SFCG D.R. Congo Tools

We have developed a broad array of operational methods, which we call collectively our "toolbox." These include well-known conflict resolution techniques, such as mediation and facilitation, and less traditional ones, like TV productions, radio soap opera, and community organising. We have found that employing several tools at the same time increases their overall effectiveness.

1. Radio program production
   
   

   Actors recording a SFCG-produced radio program

   SFCG produces 10 radio programs each week, several of which are in two or more Congolese languages.
2. Television production
   SFCG has produced spots during the 2006 elections campaign, and is currently developing a new TV spot and reality TV format aimed at engaging youth in positive participation in DRC’s new democracy.
3. Common Ground media trainings
   SFCG has a full-time radio trainer who does in-house trainings for SFCG’s 100 partner radio stations in all provinces of the DRC. These trainings focus on enabling journalists to reinforce their professional skills and apply them with the Common Ground approach (accuracy, impartiality and responsibility).
   
   Click here to download media training manuals from the Radio for Peacebuilding, Africa website.
4. Comic book production
   SFCG produces comic books in Congolese languages and French to reinforce the knowledge, attitude and behaviour change communicated in its radio programs. Previous comic books have addressed voting and elections, the demobilsation process and military-civilian relations.
   
   Click here to read Kesho Ni Siku Mpya, a comic produced by SFCG in DRC.
5. Participatory Theatre for Conflict Transformation
   
   

   Participatory Theatre Troupes act out a conflict during a performance in eastern DRC

   SFCG has developed this methodology by employing Forum Theatre techniques with a conflict transformation lens. Actors trained in conflict analysis listen to community concerns and conflicts and create a scenario and character set which reflects this realtiy.During the performance, members of the audience are invited to ‘replace’ the actors to play out the scenario in ways that more constructively address the conflicts. SFCG’s participatory theatre work was awarded the Ashoka-Changemakers 2006 award for “Innovative on-the-ground strategies for conflict transformation.” SFCG has also produced a manual and training video which elaborates on this methodology.
   
   Click here to watch a video of SFCG in DRC's programme director, Lena Slachmuijlder, describing the power and effectiveness o participatory theatre progras in DRC.
   
   Download SFCG in DRC's Participatory Theater for Conflict Transformation Manual: English [pdf] | Français [pdf]
6. Mobile Cinema
   SFCG is preparing to use a large screen mobile cinema to inform Congolese and raise discussion around sexual violence in South Kivu. This is to be accompanied by a facilitator’s discussion guide and follow-up with target communities, including military.
   
   Click here to visit our mobile cinema partner organization Fighting the Silence.
7. Training
   SFCG uses conflict transformation training in a targeted way to specific groups, such as military, civil society, youth groups, and vulnerable communities. While SFCG cannot pretend to reach mass audiences through training, these modules, which include rumour management, aim to equip groups such as soldiers, refugees and youth leaders with the basics of conflict transformation.
8. Joint Activities
   SFCG uses innovative joint activities, such as a goat credit scheme, to enable people to find common interests in working together. These activities may involve sports, community work, or income-generation, and target groups that otherwise see each other as adversaries.
9. Arts and Culture
   Music, drumming and theatre festivals are some of the ways in which SFCG uses arts and culture to bring divided groups together, present an image of unity and co-existence and communicate information. These festivals target communities where stereotypes and prejudices can be broken down through coming together around culture.
10. Sports
    
    

    Female participants (both residents and returnees) following a football match in Misisi

    Football and other sporting activities are organized by SFCG as a way to bring together a mass audience, and pitch ‘divided’ groups against each other through sport. Tournaments have brought together military and civilians, residents and returnees and people of different ethnic and tribal groups, to find a space of trust and fun to begin restoring relationships.