An UJUZI-SS project · Kivu, DRC
Youth Peace Space
Art as a path to peace.
In eastern DRC, thirty years of armed conflict have left visible and invisible wounds. Youth Peace Space aims to give young people a space where art helps them heal, talk to each other and build peace together.
Origin
A story born from loss
It all starts with Ghislain KGB, a painter from Kivu. After his younger brother was murdered, he began to paint to cope with the trauma. Little by little, painting became his way of healing and of picturing what words could not say.
For him, the results have been positive. We now want to turn this experience into a collective project that serves other young people.
“What helped him can help other young people.”
Our conviction
Art, far more than decoration
As an artist in Kivu, creative sensitivity is a powerful weapon to transform suffering into collective action: the visual, the symbol and the public space.
Heal
Art helps to externalise trauma. It becomes a catalyst for resilience, a place to set down what weighs on you.
Unite
A work of art brings people together around a shared narrative. It creates opportunities to talk across divides.
Act
In public space, images and symbols carry messages of peace and drive community innovation.
The project
What we are building
A space to create
A place where young people can paint, draw and create, especially those who carry the wounds of conflict.
A space to speak
A caring setting to express what they have lived through, through art rather than words alone.
A space to carry peace
Messages of peace created by young people and shared in public space.
A proven method
Our approach to peaceful coexistence, inspired by Nonflict®, guides the work.
We also want to bring Youth Peace Space to life at the CRSN-Lwiro library, as part of the Lwiro-Biblos.
Project in development: we are looking for our first partners.
The works
Everyday peace, in colour
Join us
Who we are looking for
Artists
Painters, musicians, photographers: share your art and run workshops with young people.
Psychosocial support
Psychologists and support professionals: help us create a safe, trauma-informed setting.
Peace organisations
Associations and networks working for peace: let’s build joint actions in communities.
Partners and patrons
Donors, companies, cultural institutions: fund materials, workshops and exhibitions.
Let’s build together a space where art becomes a path to peace.
Write to us to support, join or accompany Youth Peace Space. We will get back to you quickly.
Or directly: [email protected]