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“I pull from theory, from practice, and then merge them together to propose a peacebuilding approach in a polarized society.” Adeolu Ojedokun blends his accomplished academic background with his on the ground peacebuilding experience to enact real change in his home country of Nigeria and beyond. Growing up in the Yoruba community, the ethnic conflicts…

Speaking with José Barzola, a higher education professional and community facilitator and mediator based in Hawai’i, I could tell that I was in the presence of a master communicator. He is deliberate with his words, an active listener, and charismatic to boot. Indeed, it is no wonder that his current project—a channel called Peacebuilding Initiatives—explores…

“A child at one of our partner schools was violent, fighting the other kids and generally causing trouble. But after going through eight months of our training and mentorship, the school reported a shift not only in the student’s behavior, but also in the emergence of a young peacebuilder. This student, together with others, went…

“Leave every place you go, everything you touch, a little better for your having been there.” -Julie Andrews This quote is something of a life motto for Sherri Marie Carr, a lawyer and ADR advocate based in South Carolina. Her extensive pro bono and volunteer work reveals an empathetic, passionate peacemaker dedicated to making the…

“I am doing this work for the sake of the people,” Radha Paudel says, her voice passionate. “I come from the same background as the people I help.” Her face is in a small box on the Zoom call in front of me, but I can’t help feeling her presence through the screen. The award-winning…

Stan Ruddie wasn’t always so outgoing. Growing up in a fundamentalist, religious household, Stan sought comfort in photography darkrooms. He was in a world apart there, spending hours upon hours developing film. His love for photography eventually got him out in the world, however, and he hasn’t gone back since. Stan’s passion for activism, traveling,…

At the recent MBBI Europe launch event in Hague, one of the speakers said that “We should not be afraid of conflict. We need to use conflict to create good relationships.” This quote resonated with Andrea Marighetto, an MBBI member in attendance, and helps to shine a light on the academic and legal expert making…

In 1954, another da Costa Gomez—Moises Frumencio da Costa Gomez—helped advance Curaçao’s self-governance and autonomy on the international stage. Colonized by the Dutch since the 1600s, the Caribbean island of Curaçao has long fought for its independence. Enter the latest Da Costa Gomez making a powerful stand—Carlos Oscario Da Costa Gomez. Growing up in Curaçao,…

In response to the events in Iran, MBBI is partnering with Women’s Intercultural Network (WIN), National Association for Community Mediation (NAFCM), and VISIONS to open up opportunities for connection and healing. In these deeply painful and uncertain times, when war touches lives near and far, many of us carry heavy hearts—grief, fear, anger, or helplessness….

Growing up in Vicenza, Italy, Luca Dal Pubel was exposed to an international community from an early age. There was a U.S. military base in town, and Luca mingled with a variety of cultures different from his own. And, coming from a family of academics, he was raised to appreciate the value of a cross-cultural…