Mar 27, 2019
Like the series Friends, the days of having “Northern Experts”
working in the Global South are so 1990s. Now, not only do we
have Netflix but also it is possible to find a Congolese peace
activist and researcher that live and work in Bogotá,
Colombia. Yes. This episode is dedicated to exploring
the life and career of Christian Cito Cirhigiri. With eight years
experience supporting youth participation in peace building
processes in Eastern Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Colombia.
Christian is the founder of Peacemaker 360, a global campaign
that connects young peace building professionals through
storytelling. He currently is leading a countrywide study
funded by the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation. In Episode
4 of Season 4 you will hear how Christian Cito is NOT
afraid of using his passport and changing the world. Today in
Bogotá…. And next? Stay tuned.
Episode 4 of Season 4 is brought to you by The Rotary Peace
Fellowship and the Graduate Program in
Conflict Resolution and Coexistence at the Heller School for Social
Policy at Brandeis University.
In this episode we discuss:
- Christian Cito earlier years from Eastern Congo. He is a
twin. Cito means: “second born”. He comes from a family of
11. Growing up, born in 1987 he enjoyed his childhood.
- His experience with peace-related topics began in 1994 with the
Rwanda genocide as refugees arrived. Christian was shocked to see
the refugees speaking a foreign language.
- How young Christian made friends with Remi, a Rwandan refugee
taught him how to ride a bike.
- A rebellion in DRC to overthrown Mobutu’s dictatorship prompted
Christian to become a refugee himself.
- At a very early age, it was clear that Christian was curious
and eager to learn more about his surroundings (the conflict, the
refugees)
- How Christian got his scholarship to study in Kenya his
undergraduate in Community Development
- Christian returns in 2010 to DRC to work for a Dutch-based
organization for 2 years where he started focusing on his work on
youth and peacebuilding
- In 2012 he started his own non –profit that engages young
people in arts and communication
- He was then selected to be a part of this Obama’s Initiative
Young African Leadership Initiative.
- How he met President Obama in 2014 with other 500 African
leaders
- At the same time, he was preparing his application to Notre
Dame for the MA in International Peace from 2014-2016
- Founded two non–profits already: Bukabu Youth Action Center and
Peace360
- Christian reflects on his trajectory: on mentors and
compassion
- How did Christian landed his first job with the Dutch-based
organization
- Christian’s volunteering experience as a way to deal with
un-employment
- Christian reflects on his Masters experience at the Kroc
Institute
- Why did Christian developed his interest in communication and
peacebuilding and how he developed Peace360 in 2016 covering 4000
activists stories in 45 countries and working on a group that will
be launched at the end of June 2019
- Christian’s work in Colombia
- Similarities and differences between Colombia and Congo
according to Christian
- What Christian likes and what drives him crazy in Colombia
- Why Christian’s field experience and knowledge gave him an edge
and got his Colombian jobs
- How south-to-south relations as a way to enter into the
peacebuilding field
- Christian’s take on going to grad school
- Grad school as a way to prevent burn-out from really protracted
and stressful environments
- What does it mean to travel with a DRC passport? The realities
of south-to-south travelling with certain passports
- Key skills for the future of Peacebuilding and Development
- On the importance of developing original thinking
- Top three things that folks should do to develop a career of
impact
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This episode was brought thanks to the Rotary Peace Center and
Brandeis University:
Are you an existing or emerging peace leader looking to take
your career to the next level? You might be eligible to receive
full funding to pursue a MA or professional certificate in peace &
conflict studies. Learn more about RotaryPeace Fellowships at
www.rotary.org/peace-fellowships
The MA in
Conflict Resolution and Coexistence at Brandeis university,
where you gain the practical, hands on skills you need to become a
peacebuilding professional in the U.S. and abroad.