This paper examines the American Friends Service Committee’s (AFSC) Dialogue and Exchange Program (DEP) as a transformative community-led peacebuilding model that challenges traditional, top-down approaches to conflict resolutions. Founded in 1917 and grounded in Quaker principles, AFSC has expanded its focus from humanitarian aid to addressing the root causes of conflict, such as inequality, marginalization, and social injustice. A key part of this growth is the DEP, which has organized over 700 dialogues worldwide, providing platforms for communities to directly discuss issues related to violence, displacement, and systemic exclusion.
Situating the DEP within broader shifts in peacebuilding theory and practice, the paper highlights the move away from state-centric, externally driven interventions toward hybrid, locally grounded approaches. Through a mix of scholarly analysis and field-based insights, it demonstrates how the DEP promotes inclusive and participatory peacebuilding. Case examples—including women’s mediation training in Addis Ababa, regional dialogues on migration and climate justice in Honduras, civic engagement forums in Nairobi, and land access initiatives—illustrate the program’s emphasis on local ownership, cultural relevance, and cross-sector collaboration. These initiatives underscore key strengths of the DEP: its flexibility across diverse contexts, commitment to gender inclusion, and ability to foster meaningful participation across community, national, and international levels.
A key feature of the DEP is its focus on majority-local participation, ensuring that dialogue processes are guided by the lived experiences and knowledge of affected communities. This approach boosts both the legitimacy and sustainability of results, while external facilitators support by maintaining contextual awareness and strong methodology. The findings indicate that such models not only build community resilience but also lead to more equitable and lasting peacebuilding outcomes.
The paper concludes by emphasizing the program's adaptability, legitimacy, and transformative impact. It argues that sustainable peace results from locally driven processes supported—rather than controlled—by external actors and offers practical recommendations to strengthen partnerships, expand flexible funding, and ensure that dialogue outcomes lead to lasting policy and community change.
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- Divine Nkwelle (Autor:in), 2025, Local Voices Driving Change through Dialogue and Exchange Program, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1711692
