Trustbuilding Workshop for the Altamas for Peace & Development Association.

Up to 16 people attended the IofC Trustbuilding Workshop held Saturday, November 9, 2013 for the Altamas for Peace & Development Association.  Altamas is the region of North Sudan that lies along the border with The Republic of South Sudan.  It includes such states as South Darfur, Blue Nile, White Nile, South Kordofan, and Abyei. During the 30 year civil war in Sudan which led to the ceding and development of the new nation of The Republic of South Sudan, this area—particularly the area between South Kordofan and Northern Bahr el Ghazal—suffered  many socio-economic repercussions. 

Altamas for Peace and Development Association was founded as the initiative from Canadian Sudanese now living in Alberta.  Their goals are to work toward peace building and poverty eradication in the Altamas area of Sudan, and to provide capacity building and public engagement for its members in Alberta.  It is their hope that by partnering with Initiatives of Change Canada to expose their members to Trustbuilding Workshops and the work of The Imam & The Pastor, that they can help to develop a culture of peace in their communities, both in Canada and in Sudan.

Feedback from this first Trustbuilding Workshop included the following:
• “The workshop was both eye opening and hopeful. It brought everyone together in a manner that was both professional and laid back, which created a sense of ease which made the training easier to absorb.”
• “We need to invite many more Sudanese from the community to participate … we need two days in order to learn even more.”
• “The workshop was so successful, and all participants came out with an excellent impression.  Thank you.”
• “Altamas will continue to work with Initiatives of Change Canada for future events.”

Janyce Konkin