Search for Common Ground - Brussels Headquarters

National Network
Belgium
Address

Rue Beliard 205 – box 13, Brussels
Brussels
Belgium

Telephone
+32-2- 736 72 62
E-Mail
Brussels@sfcg.be
E-Mail (2)
sreines@sfcg.org
E-Mail (3)
rsweeney@sfcg.org
Organisation Type
Non-Governmental Organization
Year of Establishment
1994
Fields of Activity
  1. Arts
  2. Democracy and community development
  3. Human rights
  4. International/Cultural relations
  5. Media
  6. Youth and education
General Information
Search for Common Ground works to prevent and end violent conflict before, during, and after a crisis. Search has a 32-year track record of equipping individuals and societies to find alternatives to violence. We strive to build sustainable peace for generations to come by working with all sides of a conflict, providing the tools needed to work together and find constructive solutions. We work in 35 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America, with 88% of our staff working in their home countries.
Mission and Objectives

Our mission is to transform the way the world deals with conflict, away from adversarial approaches and toward cooperative solutions. Instead of tearing down an existing world, we focus on constructing a new one. We do this through a type of peacebuilding called “conflict transformation.” We shift the everyday interactions between hostile groups of people, so they can work
together to build up their community, choosing joint problem-solving over violent means.

Main Projects / Activities

Conflict and differences are inevitable. Violence is not. We harness conflict for constructive change. Search works at all levels of society to build sustainable peace through three main avenues: Dialogue+, Media+, and Community+.
DIALOGUE+
Whether at the local or national level, we bring people together across dividing lines to discover and achieve shared goals. We work with those traditionally in power and those without a platform, often women and youth.Examples: mediation, training youth leaders, back channel diplomacy, and more.
MEDIA+
While a dialogue affects dozens, media impacts millions. We use media to stir up thoughts and discussions across a whole society about the root causes of violence and how to overcome differences.Examples: TV dramas, call-in radio shows, music videos, and more.
COMMUNITY+
We provide a safe space for people to work out their conflicts at the local level. With some creative thinking, we bring divided communities, neighbors, and families together to discover their common humanity.Examples: soccer matches, participatory theater, shared farming projects, and more.

Contact (1) Full Name
Ronan Sweeney, Programme Assistant
Head of the organisation
Shamil Idriss
Contact (2) Full Name
Sonya Reines-Djivanides, Director