SAHAMATI.

SAHAMATI focuses on social and economic development, promoting good governance, and natural resource management. SAHAMATI is currently building peace in some of Nepal’s war-torn areas by developing local initiatives to raise living standards.

Coexistence

The Coexistence project ran from 2007-2008 and was designed to help establish peace in conflict-torn areas by promoting reconciliation. At the beginning of the project SAHAMATI approached the Development Committees of Rolpa and Rukum districts, asking them each to select five local villages most severely affected by the conflict. Ten groups of around 20-30 members were then formed, made up of representatives of these communities’ Village Development Committees (VDCs).

Training in peacebuilding and reconciliation was provided, followed by a series of monthly meetings with the groups, discussing issues such as gender and the post-conflict peace process. Groups also discussed the local impacts of the conflicts and how to resolve specific challenges.

Group members went on to share what they had learned with their respective VDCs. The groups formed by SAHAMATI have created a ‘Peace Gate’ and a ‘Waiting Place’. These are spaces where people can gather together and discuss local issues in a peaceful manner, without resorting to violence.