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

Links:

• Young African Leadership Initiative
• Bukabu Youth Action Center
• Peace360
• Notre Dame Kroc Institute
• ACDI-Voca
• Dak Hammarskjöld Foundation
• Christian’s Cito Linkedin

 

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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.