Don’t let your passport stop you and other South to South work stories with Christian Cito Cirhigiri

Mar 27, 2019

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Like the series Friends, the days of having “Northern Experts” working in the Global South are so 1990s. Now, not only do we have Netflix but also it is possible to find a Congolese peace activist and researcher that live and work in Bogotá, Colombia. Yes. This episode is dedicated to exploring the life and career of Christian Cito Cirhigiri. With eight years experience supporting youth participation in peace building processes in Eastern Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Colombia. Christian is the founder of Peacemaker 360, a global campaign that connects young peace building professionals through storytelling. He currently is leading a countrywide study funded by the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation. In Episode 4 of Season 4 you will hear how Christian Cito is NOT afraid of using his passport and changing the world. Today in Bogotá…. And next? Stay tuned.

Episode 4 of Season 4 is brought to you by The Rotary Peace Fellowship and the Graduate Program in Conflict Resolution and Coexistence at the Heller School for Social Policy at Brandeis University.

In this episode we discuss:

Christian Cito earlier years from Eastern Congo. He is a twin. Cito means: “second born”. He comes from a family of 11. Growing up, born in 1987 he enjoyed his childhood.
His experience with peace-related topics began in 1994 with the Rwanda genocide as refugees arrived. Christian was shocked to see the refugees speaking a foreign language.
How young Christian made friends with Remi, a Rwandan refugee taught him how to ride a bike.
A rebellion in DRC to overthrown Mobutu’s dictatorship prompted Christian to become a refugee himself.
At a very early age, it was clear that Christian was curious and eager to learn more about his surroundings (the conflict, the refugees)
How Christian got his scholarship to study in Kenya his undergraduate in Community Development
Christian returns in 2010 to DRC to work for a Dutch-based organization for 2 years where he started focusing on his work on youth and peacebuilding
In 2012 he started his own non –profit that engages young people in arts and communication
He was then selected to be a part of this Obama’s Initiative Young African Leadership Initiative.
How he met President Obama in 2014 with other 500 African leaders
At the same time, he was preparing his application to Notre Dame for the MA in International Peace from 2014-2016
Founded two non–profits already: Bukabu Youth Action Center and Peace360
Christian reflects on his trajectory: on mentors and compassion
How did Christian landed his first job with the Dutch-based organization
Christian’s volunteering experience as a way to deal with un-employment
Christian reflects on his Masters experience at the Kroc Institute
Why did Christian developed his interest in communication and peacebuilding and how he developed Peace360 in 2016 covering 4000 activists stories in 45 countries and working on a group that will be launched at the end of June 2019
Christian’s work in Colombia
Similarities and differences between Colombia and Congo according to Christian
What Christian likes and what drives him crazy in Colombia
Why Christian’s field experience and knowledge gave him an edge and got his Colombian jobs
How south-to-south relations as a way to enter into the peacebuilding field
Christian’s take on going to grad school
Grad school as a way to prevent burn-out from really protracted and stressful environments
What does it mean to travel with a DRC passport? The realities of south-to-south travelling with certain passports
Key skills for the future of Peacebuilding and Development
On the importance of developing original thinking
Top three things that folks should do to develop a career of impact

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