About PDI
The Peace and Development Initiative – Kintha
PDI-Kintha was founded in 2013 in response to outbreaks of communal violence in 2012 and the more organized anti-Muslim violence that followed. Initial projects and activities sought to address the deepening religious and ethnic divisions that followed.
Early on, we focused much of our energy on building trust not only between communities affected by conflict, but also between community members and our staff.. Through sports, music, and art activities we sought to transform attitudes driving conflict, raise awareness of issues underlying the conflict, and build skills to transform conflict.
We work with conflict-affected populations from central and northern areas of Rakhine State; however, following military clearance operations in August 2017 that lead to an exodus of over 600,000 people to Bangladesh and the subsequent barriers to access, we were forced to adjust the geographic focus area of some of our projects. We currently have 40 staff members implementing peacebuilding, education, and social cohesion activities in Sittwe, Buthidaung, Kyauk Taw, and MraukOo townships (of central and northern areas of Rakhine State) as of January 2019.
Mission
To educate a generation of youth peacebuilders in Rakhine State, to support diverse communities to collaborate with one another, and to promote the value of representation in decision making at all levels.
Vision
To normalize collaboration between communities in conflict in Rakhine State and for all communities to benefit from access to fair opportunities.
Value
Diversity, Justice, Accountability, Collaboration, Human Dignity, Sustainability
Goals
There is increased social harmony amongst communities affected by conflict.
Diverse and marginalized people have greater access to opportunity.
There is increased momentum for peace in Rakhine State.
Organization Structure
