Supporting Asset-Based Youth and Community Development in Conflict Zones

A Training Example from the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Abstract

The eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a region known for its years of ongoing violence, armed conflicts, and volatile security conditions. For young people, this conflict situation has resulted in insecurity, displacement, and the recruitment of children and youth into armed militia groups. In response, many youth associations in this region are actively working on building peace in their communities by addressing problems related to armed conflict. This article presents a training series offered to these associations to build their capacity for peace-building and social change work. The trainings used an asset-based approach to youth-led community development and peace-building, beginning with existing resources, talents, skills, and knowledge to build a foundation for action. It describes an approach to working in high conflict or post-conflict regions that emphasizes young people’s existing capacity to implement and/or lead community change. This article reviews the training design and highlights several short-term outcomes from these trainings, including outcomes related to both training content and training process. The project found that the paradigm shift from “I need” to “I have” was particularly meaningful for participants, and promoted a sense of agency individually and collectively. It also highlighted the need for and importance of a strong, locally-based NGO or other entity to provide the advance and follow up work in support of the learning that happened during the three-day training.