Good People and KOICA Support Peacebuilding in Ethiopia

Peace education is being conducted for students by the 'Peace Club,' a club formed at a school in the Asellasi area. Good People

On July 9, Good People, an international relief and development NGO (President: Kim Cheonsu), announced that it will be carrying out a community-based, youth-led peacebuilding project in the Asella region of Ethiopia, in collaboration with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). This project will be implemented in Asellasi, Oromia State, Ethiopia.

According to a survey conducted by Good People and the local Ethiopian NGO ECYDO, Asellasi is experiencing complex conflicts involving politics, religion, and ethnicity. These conflicts are intensifying as unverified media content spreads through social media and other channels, further fueling intergroup tensions.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reported that, in 2023, political conflicts in Oromia State resulted in 1,488 victims, and that human rights violations against civilians have continued to occur.

Since October 2024, Good People has been implementing the 'YES-PEACE' project to enable the young generation, who will lead Ethiopia's future, to play a leading role in resolving community conflicts. Starting in 2025, the project will be expanded as part of KOICA's Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus (HDP-N) Public-Private Partnership Program, with a total investment of 275 million KRW.

At the launch ceremony of the community-based youth-led peacebuilding project in Asella, Ethiopia, representatives from Good Neighbors, KOICA, and local government officials are taking a commemorative photo. Photo by Good Neighbors

Good People will first train 120 young people as 'Peace Ambassadors' through conflict management education and conflict mediation leadership workshops. Those who complete the entire training program and are officially appointed as Peace Ambassadors will work with Good People to carry out a variety of peacebuilding activities, including peace education and operating peace forums. In addition, media literacy education will be provided to help these ambassadors critically analyze various media content that may contribute to the spread of conflict.

In eight local middle and high schools, 'Peace Clubs' will be established to raise awareness of peacebuilding and provide peace education to students, helping them take the initiative in resolving conflicts within their schools. Furthermore, a peace-themed drawing contest will be held to support students in improving their awareness of peace.

Good People will establish a 'Peace Dialogue Platform' where government officials, religious leaders, residents, and youth will regularly discuss key community issues and solutions for conflict resolution. In the second half of the year, a 'Peace Forum' will also be held, bringing together youth from Asellasi and all members of the local community.

A workshop to strengthen conflict mediation leadership skills is being held for the youth of Asellasi. Good People

On July 5, Good People and KOICA held a launch ceremony for the community-based, youth-led peacebuilding project in Asellasi, officially commencing the full-scale implementation of the project.

Through this project, which will continue until the end of 2026, Good People expects to bring about a change in the perception of conflict and disputes among the youth and local residents of Asellasi, thereby fostering sustainable peace in the community.

Kim Cheonsu, President of Good People, stated, "We are pleased to be able to carry out a peacebuilding project in Ethiopia, a country that has experienced the pain of civil war and ethnic conflict," and added, "Good People will do its utmost to support the youth of Asellasi so that they can confidently advocate for 'peace' wherever there is conflict."

Good People has been continuously implementing development cooperation projects in Ethiopia. In 2022, the organization expanded a health center in Digeluna Tijo, Oromia State, Ethiopia, and provided various medical equipment, including ultrasound devices.

Additionally, to promote the rights of female adolescents, Good People established rest areas for female students in elementary schools in Asellasi and improved the sanitary conditions of school restrooms. The organization has also conducted leadership training, sexual and reproductive health education, and activities to raise awareness of the rights of female adolescents.