In collaboration with women’s groups in mostly conflict-affected areas, we initiate and carry out peacebuilding and conflict transformation projects. We recognize that women are often disproportionately and negatively affected in conflict settings. We also recognize that they hold the potential of engaging actively and effectively in initiatives to foster peace and positive change. Several members of the Circle have been involved in peacebuilding in post-conflict Aceh, Indonesia, and the ongoing conflict in the southernmost border provinces of Thailand.
Drawing from the rich lessons gleaned from the ecological philosophies, practices and food systems of Indigenous peoples such as the Suku Anak Dalam (SAD) in Sumatra, Indonesia, and the Orang Asli in the Deep South of Thailand, the Circle, in collaboration with peoples who have been marginalized such as women and Indigenous peoples, undertake educational and practical projects focused on ecologically regeneration and food security.
Ensuring that Indigenous children learn to read and write is essential to empowering them for their future. Providing informal education equips them with basic literacy skills while also fostering self-confidence. In Indonesia, many Indigenous children have been hesitant to attend public schools due to bullying and the negative stigma surrounding their Indigenous identity. However, our initiative has helped inspire and motivate them to pursue education.