Colombo, Sri Lanka – May 2025
Salzburg Global successfully hosted a four-day accelerator workshop in Colombo, Sri Lanka, for Salzburg Global Fellows of its Asia Peace Innovators Forum. From February 10 to 14, 2025, this high-impact event provided a dynamic platform for peer learning, the advancement of six pioneering peacebuilding initiatives, and the strengthening of regional and global networks among 30 Fellows.

Strengthening Asia’s Peacebuilding Landscape

Salzburg Global gathers open-minded leaders for breakthrough conversations on pressing global issues. It established the Asia Peace Innovators Forum in 2020 in partnership with The Nippon Foundation.

The Asia Peace Innovators Forum serves as a comprehensive forum for mid-career peacebuilders across diverse sectors—including but not limited to law, academia, civil society, and NGOs—to exchange best practices and foster collaboration. Through this program, Salzburg Global has convened three cohorts of nearly 200 total Fellows in Salzburg, Austria for capacity-building sessions.

Continuing their work after this in-person convening, each cohort has developed impactful peacebuilding initiatives in small project teams. Following a rigorous selection process, six outstanding projects were chosen for further refinement and support at the accelerator workshop in Colombo.

The workshop offered project teams a unique opportunity to collaborate in person, present their ideas, and refine their proposals for effective implementation. Participating Fellows engaged in constructive dialogue, received mentorship from experienced Fellows, and explored strategies to mobilize support for their initiatives.

Dr. Charles Ehrlich, Director, Peace and Justice, at Salzburg Global, emphasized the importance of this workshop: “Since we selected these six projects’ proposals, each team has worked virtually with their members. This workshop provided them with an essential space to evaluate their projects’ merit and learn how to engage potential partners for successful implementation.”

Six Groundbreaking Peacebuilding Initiatives

Defending the Rights of Indigenous Women

This initiative empowers Indigenous women in Rampang, Indonesia, who face human rights violations and encroachments on ancestral land due to arbitrary development initiatives. The project fosters leadership, economic independence, and advocacy capacity for marginalized women while ensuring Indigenous voices are heard in development planning.

Rina Shahrullah, a senior lecturer at Universitas International Batam, emphasized: “This project strengthens Indigenous women’s ability to defend their rights and preserve their native land.” Fellow team member Nukila Evanty added: “Many Indigenous women fear displacement and uncertainty about their future. This initiative is a timely intervention to safeguard their rights.”

We Are Not Just Numbers

This project amplifies the voices of women in conflict zones, emphasizing feminist peacebuilding in India, Kenya, Myanmar, the Philippines, South Africa, South Korea, and Sri Lanka. The project treats women’s participation as integral to peacebuilding, and not just as statistical markers.

Lynette Grace Tagalo from the Philippines stated: “For too long, women in conflict have been reduced to numbers—casualties, refugees, and statistics. But each has a story that must be told.” Sri Lankan team member Thilina Madiwala added: “This initiative creates a safe digital space for women to share their experiences beyond national boundaries.”

South-to-South Knowledge Mobilization Through Peace Books

This project empowers young adults between the ages of 18 and 35 years old in conflict-affected regions through peace books—arts-based tools for storytelling, healing, and peacebuilding. It is being piloted in Sri Lanka to document experiences, perspectives, and aspirations for peace through visual and creative expression.

Staci B. Martin, an assistant professor at Portland State University, USA, explained: “Our research explores how knowledge mobilization supports young peacebuilders’ mental health through a multi-country, mixed-methods approach.” Oshan Gunathilake from Sri Lanka highlighted: “This initiative has the potential to evolve into a global youth-led peacebuilding movement through creativity and collaboration.”

Access to Justice (A2J) Youth for Myanmar

Following the 2021 military coup, Myanmar’s youth continue to face systemic repression, harassment, and human rights violations. This project raises awareness of legal rights, provides legal aid, and fosters dialogue through digital and grassroots platforms.

Mohammed Jamalul Giducos from the Philippines underscored the urgency: “Since the coup, thousands of young activists have been arrested, facing unfair trials and inhumane detention.” Legal professional Kyaw Min San from Myanmar emphasized: “Legal aid is essential—it prevents torture, arbitrary detention, and even the death penalty. It’s not just about law; it’s about justice.”

Promoting Harmony and Safe Migration

This project aims to ease tensions along the Thai-Myanmar border by addressing the risks and challenges faced by migrants from Myanmar, particularly related to human trafficking and unsafe migration. It supports both Myanmar migrants and local Thai communities through safety awareness, youth-led interfaith dialogues, and skills training.
Explaining the project, Andy Copada Alegre, National Church Partnership Lead at International Justice Mission Philippines, noted: “Promoting Harmony and Safe Migration is a transformative project designed to foster trust, enhance social cohesion, and empower communities through risk mitigation, dialogue, and interfaith collaboration.”

Bridging Indigenous Norms – The BINHI Initiative

This initiative preserves and promotes Indigenous peoples’ agricultural practices, recognizing their vital role in climate adaptation and food security.

Jerome Bactol from the Philippines stated: “For centuries, Indigenous farmers have nurtured the land with knowledge passed down through generations. Today, these practices are at risk of disappearing.” Robert Budianto from Indonesia added: “Our project bridges indigenous wisdom with modern agricultural practices, fostering resilience against climate change.”

Strengthening Networks and Mobilizing Support

Throughout the workshop, 30 Fellows of the Asia Peace Innovators Forum collaborated intensively, refining their projects into actionable proposals. With the guidance of experienced Salzburg Global Fellows and mentors, participants gained valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of peacebuilding in Asia.

As Salzburg Global continues fostering regional and global collaborations, the success of the Colombo accelerator workshop underscores the importance of peer-driven learning and knowledge exchange in advancing sustainable peacebuilding efforts. These six initiatives are poised to make a significant impact across diverse communities, reinforcing the Asia Peace Innovator Forum’s role in shaping a more inclusive and peaceful future for Asia and beyond.

Call for Support and Collaboration

Salzburg Global invites peacebuilding organizations, donors, and supporters to engage with these transformative projects and explore opportunities for collaboration. For further inquiries and partnership opportunities, please visit salzburgglobal.org.