“I’ve recently spent six months in Germany studying issues of polarization and the rise of neo-fascism, and it’s clear that this is a critical area of focus both there and elsewhere. From my experience, one key takeaway is the importance of engaging with local community organizations and trusted figures—whether they are teachers, religious leaders, or other respected individuals. These local actors have genuine access to marginalized spaces and understand their communities’ grievances and aspirations. Instead of relying on large national organizations with centralized structures, it’s more effective to support independent, locally rooted partners. These organizations might be connected globally, but their work is deeply embedded in the local context. Community-led groups collaborate and learn from each other rather than being managed as branches of a larger organization. This model respects the unique context of each community while promoting collective learning and solidarity.”

“A compelling example comes from Sierra Leone in the 1990s, during the war between an armed group, the RUF, and a predatory government. Both sides were committing horrific acts against civilians. Even after a peace agreement was signed, the RUF continued to abuse the local population. In response, elderly women from the church decided to march in protest. They didn’t just protest using their identities as older women and the status that comes with being the grandmothers of society; they drew upon deeply indigenous traditions. When they reached the RUF’s barricades, these women bared their bottoms, an act that, in their culture, was a profound dishonor to the men. This action shamed the men into stopping their abuses, ultimately changing the course and ending the war.”

Sanam Naraghi Anderlini’s journey as a peace strategist is deeply rooted in her experiences growing up in Iran, where, at just 11 years old, she witnessed the Iranian Revolution and the upheaval it brought to her family and community. These early experiences of conflict and displacement propelled her to dedicate her life to peacebuilding, advocating for frameworks to prevent similar suffering.

"In my twenties, I realized how painful it is when your own country splits apart or experiences turmoil. This pain is multi-generational; even 40 years later, it still affects us all, including generations that weren’t even born at the time. I was driven by the desire to prevent others from experiencing this kind of trauma. I kept asking myself, how can I stop others from going through what we went through?”