Enhancing Social Innovation in Conflicted-affected Societies

Every year, Rondine Cittadella della Pace (Rondine) recruits 15 young leaders from the most conflict plagued and post-conflict societies to attend their World House Program in Arezzo, Italy. These students matriculate in an M.A. program at an Italian university while simultaneously partaking in Rondine’s globally recognized peace building process over two years. During their time of study, students develop their own social enterprise idea to implement upon return to their country.

The project aims to empower young peacebuilders and aspiring social innovators to become agents of change, especially in divided communities affected by conflict or post-conflict situations. Rondine believes that “Peaceful societies are only possible when individuals are free to make their own choices and economically empowered to do so.” Students receive training in conflict transformation and social innovation, as well as personal freedom, free-market economy, and prosperity.

Contribution to enhancing freedom

Rondine has concluded that to sustain peace in conflict-ridden areas, they also need to invest in social and economic development through empowering young people to become agents of change, contributing to peace processes worldwide. Through this approach, Rondine not only contributes to enhancing freedom by promoting peace, but also by advancing local economic development. Rondine’s World House Program includes a combination of conflict transformation and classical liberal educational activities, with the aim of not only teaching peace, freedom, and classical liberalism, but also encouraging and supporting the development of concrete international project ideas.

Over the course of the project, approximately 50 young people from conflict or post-conflict societies will undergo this training program followed by a mentorship program that is dedicated to the development of their project ideas. Finally, the best project ideas will be selected to receive funding for implementation.