PEACE-BUILDING THROUGH SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN POST-GENOCIDE RWANDA: THE CASE OF PEACE BASKET COOPERATIVE
Journal Title: Role of Higher Education Institutions in Society: Challenges, Tendencies and Perspectives - Year 2013, Vol 1, Issue 2
Abstract
The concept of social entrepreneurship is discussed in the context of post-genocide Rwanda, in which survivors and perpetrators of genocide lived side by side after the genocide in 1994. It is herein argued that in order to build sustainable peace in a post-conflict society it is of fundamental importance to address issues of contention that give rise to conflict between groups and individuals in communities, such as natural resources, political influence or issues of cultural identity. To achieve an understanding of intra-state conflicts, it is important to address the ways in which people relate to one another, structurally, relationally, culturally and politically. Intragroup relations between Hutu and Tutsi are briefly explained with reference to colonial history, which contributed to the cementation of power structure and inequalities between Hutu and Tutsi. Bottom-up approaches to peace-building should promote conflict transformation and involve communities in identifying ways of solving problems non-violently. In post-genocide Rwanda social entrepreneurship and cooperative work significantly contribute in poverty alleviation. In the lack of access to land, credit or employment widows, orphans and other genocide survivors are highly vulnerable of insecurity in terms of food and income. Peace basket cooperative utilises Rwandan traditional knowledge of basket weaving as a means of income generation for its members. Interpersonal contact beneficial to both parties fosters cooperation and positive communication. The cooperative is based upon the principles of equality, solidarity and unity, which ensures mutual support and creates a common ground to build trust. Cooperative members express their mutual support among members and have established relations on the basis of new trust, as a result of truth telling and reconciliation. Peace basket is recognized by members as not only a means of income generation, but also functioning as education for survivors and former perpetrators of genocide in teaching them how to live and communicate with one another.
Authors and Affiliations
Silje Bratberg
Keywords
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