Identity Matters
Conflict is not something borne from identity as such but from economic inequalities, ruthless political ambition and ethnic, cultural or social exclusion. In contexts of conflict these polarisations are deeply rooted in society. They often become framed in terms of identity, misused by leaders as a tool for domination; and this only widens and deepens the conflict.
The Cordaid Identity Matters programme facilitates and enhances an open society, promotes dialogue and creates space for excluded and marginalised identity-based groups. It strives for a just and democratic society based on inclusive citizenship.
Cordaid focuses on civil society-based interventions that invest in the capacities of emerging leadership within identity based groups. These leaders are encouraged to work on a shared vision and strategy that also counters dogmatic values and stereotyping. Cordaid also invests in capacity building of marginalised groups to engage directly in lobbying, in order to address their concerns in national and international policies. Cordaid invests in nurturing space for people building bridges between ethnic, cultural and/or religious groups and facilitates connections among them to encourage social cohesion and promote inclusive citizenship.
And Cordaid is investing in the protection of those who are putting their lives on the line to build these bridges, in the face of all manner of threats and at great personal risk.
Within these interventions there is a specific focus on at-risk young people, women and change agents.
