Dialogue Without Borders: Ukraine and South Africa Exchange Peacebuilding Practices

On July 28, an important journey began. Experts from the Community of Dialogue Practitioners of Ukraine — Nataliia Bezkhlibna and Alyona Horova — arrived in the Republic of South Africa.

This visit takes place in partnership with CMI — Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation, a global peacebuilding organization with over 20 years of experience in dialogue facilitation, conflict prevention, and support for peace processes around the world. It is also supported by African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) – one of Africa’s most respected institutions in the field of peace practice and a key player in promoting regional peace and security across the continent.

The aim of the visit is to jointly explore community-level approaches to dialogue, conflict resolution, and trust-building. It is a journey of listening and learning — a chance to ask meaningful questions and hear authentic answers. Both South Africa and Ukraine carry their own complex but vital experiences — of preserving dignity, speaking truth, and continuing to hear each other despite pain, fatigue, or differences in perspective.

At the same time, this is another step toward strengthening the global presence and agency of Ukrainian civil society. We are not just recipients of support — we contribute, share knowledge, shape dialogue, and foster lasting partnerships.

📝The agenda includes meetings with activists, experts, and government representatives, as well as open dialogues with youth, community leaders, and women driving change. Most importantly, this isn’t just about exchanging ideas — it’s about finding common ground and building dialogue that can hold — even in the most fragile contexts.

✈️This journey is a step toward international recognition of Ukraine’s civil society and a shared search for practical solutions that can work across different global realities.

🙏We thank our partners — CMI - Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation and ACCORD — for their trust and collaboration. We truly believe that lasting solutions are only born where there is a willingness not just to speak — but to listen.

🫶Stay tuned for updates from South Africa — in the coming days we’ll share more about key meetings, discussion topics, and the inspiring people our experts are honored to meet.