Cohort 2

Digital Peacebuilding: Confronting Hate Speech and Disinformation in South and Southeast Asia Through Gamified Interventions 

"Digital Peacebuilding: Confronting Hate Speech and Disinformation in South and Southeast Asia Through Gamified Interventions" tackles the urgent issue of digital misinformation and hate speech. This project aims to foster grassroots awareness and education by utilizing a unique, gamified approach available in 10 local languages across 8 countries. The initiative seeks to transform attitudes towards digital information, promoting a culture of kindness and compassion online. Through a collection of over 30 physical and digital games, the project collaborates with diverse stakeholders to educate and engage communities. The anticipated outcomes include a digitally enlightened society, improved media literacy, and strengthened peaceful coexistence. By becoming a thought leader in digital games for peace, the project aspires to drive significant change through training, research, and advocacy.

Project Team:

Himanshu Panday, Co-founder, Dignity in Difference
Project Role: Project Lead, Resource Collection, Manual Development, and Training
Email: himpandey13@gmail.com

Neha Vijay, Director - Trust & Safety, Radix Web Solutions 
Project Role: Research and Partnerships with Tech Firms
Email: neha0517@gmail.com

Maruf Chebueraheng, Director, Digital4Peace Foundation 
Project Role: Thai Linguistic Expertise and Thai Networks
Email: maruf@digital4peace.org 

Mochamad Mustafa, Program Director, The Asia Foundation
Project Role: Indonesian Linguistic Needs and NGO Outreach
Email: mochamad.mustafa@asiafoundation.org

Ahamed Sanoon Meera Mohideen, Executive Director, FrameOut 
Project Role: Tamil Translation, Partnerships, and Technical Guidance
Email: mmasanoon@gmail.com 

Muhammad Ayub Ayubi Rafique, Social Activist & Founder, Renaissance by Social Innovation 
Project Role: Lived Experience from Pakistan and PCVE Interventions
Email: ayub.ayubi@gmail.com 

Dani, Consultant - Specialist, UNESCO-MGIEP (Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace & Sustainable Development)
Project Role: Youth Programming and SEL for Peacebuilding
Email: jayamulyanto@gmail.com 

Alex wen jie Lew, Strategy and Partnership, Environman 
Project Role: Partnerships from Singapore
Email: alexlewwenjie95@gmail.com 

Ne Lynn Aung, Research Director, Myanmar Institute for Peace and Security
Project Role: Technical Skills for Disinformation Monitoring Tools and Games
Email: maungnelynnaung@gmail.com 

Dana Kristiawan, Lecturer, Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 Banyuwangi 
Project Role: Community Building in Indonesia and Australia
Email: danatafati@gmail.com 

Kamilas Alexsanther, Director, Pakalavan Media 
Project Role: Journalistic Expertise in Designing Critical Tools
Email: yarlglitz@gmail.com 

Afthon Lubbi, Researcher, Center for the Study of Religion and Culture (CSRC) UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta 
Priject Role: Engagement with Civil Societies
Email: afthonlubbinuriz@gmail.com

For more information, please contact Himanshu Panday

Additional Resources: 
Digital Peacebuilding Presentation

Chautari Natak

The "Chautari Natak" Project transforms Nepal's marginalized communities into arenas of healing and understanding through the power of Playback Theatre. This innovative endeavor merges sacred gathering spaces, "Chautari," with the art of "Natak" to forge platforms for storytelling, emotional healing, and community empowerment. By confronting deep-rooted issues with dramatic expression, the project nurtures understanding and peace, weaving an umbrella of shared experiences and cultural dynamics to empower communities to rise above their challenges and turn conflict into constructive dialogue. 

Project Team:

Jhabindra Adhikari, Coordinator, Pro Public (Forum for Protection of Public Interest)
Project Role: Project Lead
Email: jhabindra.adhikari@gmail.com  

Fredyl Hernandez, Artist-Teacher, Philippine Educational Theater Association
Project Role: Project Member
Email: fredylcsb@gmail.com   

Gaurav Thapa, Co-Founder & Managing Director, FINLIT
Project Role: Project Member
Email: gaurav@finlitnepal.com  

Quy Dinh Thi Ngoc, Deputy Director, Christina Noble Children's Foundation
Project Role: Project Member
Email: ngocquyhue@yahoo.com  

Dishani Senaratne, Founder/Project Director, Writing Doves
Project Role: Project Member
Email: dish3000e@gmail.com

For more information, please contact Jhabindra Adhikari   

Deradicalizing Former Militants: Engaging the Ummah in the Reintegration Efforts in the Southern Philippines

This initiative targets the volatile Mindanao region, addressing the persistent threat of violent extremism post the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro and the 2019 Bangsamoro Organic Law. Focusing on preventing the re-recruitment of returnees by extremist groups, this project strengthens community resilience and fosters reconciliation, leveraging local insights and international methodologies to create a sustainable, community-based approach to peace and reintegration.

Project Team:

Khuzaimah Maranda, Executive Director, Thuma Ko Kapagingud Service Organization, Inc. 
Project Role: Project Lead
Email: kmaranda@thumalanao.org

Jovanie Espesor, Professor, Mindanao State University
Project Role: Project Member
Email: jovanie.espesor@msugensan.edu.ph
 
Gelie Erika Esteban, Lawyer and Senior Lead for Training - National Prosecution Development, International Justice Mission
Project Role: Project Member
Email: gesteban.law@gmail.com
 
Bijay Shrestha, Program Director, Japan International Support Program
Project Role: Project Member
Email: bijayjispnepal@gmail.com 

Rohit Karki, Senior Project Officer, Asia Pacific Unit, DCAF - Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance
Project Role: Project Member
Email: rohit.karki@gmail.com 

Nirasha Piyawadani, Journalist and Program Producer, Center for Media and Information Literacy
Project Role: Project Member
Email: nirashapiyawadani@gmail.com 

Kamal Kandel, Program Manager, Initiatives for Change
Project Role: Project Member
Email: kamal.kandel@iofc.org

For more information, please email  Khuzaimah Maranda

Additional Resources:
Deradicalizing Militants _ Presentation 

Empowering Indigenous Women as Environmental Human Rights Defenders in Indonesia's Coastal Regions

This initiative empowers Indigenous women in Indonesia’s coastal regions who face growing challenges due to National Strategic Projects, to which they have not consented, including eco-city and tourism developments, large-scale extractive industries, and land concessions that encroach on their ancestral territories. These projects often lead to intimidation, loss of voice, and heightened anxiety among women, further marginalizing them from decision-making processes. This initiative aims to strengthen their leadership, economic independence, and advocacy capacity. Despite being key environmental stewards, these women face systemic barriers, including economic dependency, low literacy, and exclusion from decision-making. The initiative will provide training in sustainable entrepreneurship, equipping women with the skills to process and market local fish products, thereby fostering financial resilience and community-driven enterprises. Ultimately, this initiative will cultivate a network of women leaders who can independently advocate for the protection of their land, sea, and environment In addition, capacity-building workshops will enhance their ability to influence policy and advocate for their rights, particularly in securing free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) in development projects. By promoting gender-inclusive governance and amplifying women's voices, the initiative creates a scalable model for economic and environmental justice. Expected outcomes include stronger women-led enterprises, increased Indigenous representation in governance, and long-term policy shifts that ensure sustainable, community-driven development. Investing in Indigenous women as economic leaders and environmental defenders drives transformative change for their communities and beyond.

Project Team:

Nukila Evanty, Executive Director, Women Working Group (WWG)
Project Role: Project Lead
Email: nukilaevanty@yahoo.comRina Shahrullah, Senior Lecturer, Universitas Internasional Batam
Project Role: Project Co-Lead
Email: rina@uib.ac.id

For more information, please email  Rina Shahrullah

Additional Resources:
Human Rights and Gender Series #1
Human Rights and Gender Series #2
Human Rights and Gender Series #5
Human Rights and Gender Series #6
Human Rights and Gender Series #7
Human Rights and Gender Series #8

Project accelerator _ Presentation
Group Activities

Defending the Defenders: Protection Mechanism For Humanitarian Workers In Conflict Situations

The "Defending the Defenders" project addresses the pressing safety needs of humanitarian personnel in the conflict-stricken Mindanao, Philippines. By developing and disseminating a comprehensive handbook that amalgamates existing and innovative strategies, the project seeks to enhance the overall safety of aid workers, thereby supporting the broader goals of peace and reconciliation. This initiative stands as a testament to the unwavering commitment to protecting those dedicated to healing and rebuilding societies afflicted by conflict. 

Project team:

Akanchhya Aryal, South Asia HRE Consultant, Amnesty International
Project Role: Project Lead
Email: akanchhya@gmail.com 

Byar Myar Gay, Project Coordinator, ACTED
Project Role: Project Member
Email: mawbyarmyarkay@gmail.com 

Mellisa Dajay, Community Mobilizer, United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT)
Project Role: Project Member
Email: msmellisadajay@gmail.com 

Rachel Pastores, Managing Counsel, Public Interest Law Center
Project Role: Project Member
Email: pastores_rachel@yahoo.com  

Kara Medina, Gender and Disaster Resilience Specialist, Independent
Project Role: Project Advisor
Email: karadaniellemedina@gmail.com 

For more information, please email  Akanchhya Aryal

Additional Resources:
Defending the Defenders _ Presentation

Strengthening Mental Health Support for Women Facing Persistent Stereotyping through Local Wisdom

The “Strengthening Mental Health Support for Women Facing Persistent Stereotyping through Local Wisdom” project aims to enhance mental health support for women affected by persistent stereotyping by leveraging local wisdom and personalizing AI chatbot content. It seeks to document and integrate indigenous knowledge into mental health strategies by creating wisdom champions from the targeted communities (LGBTIQ community, housewives community, interfaith community, and community of women affected by conflict) and create personalized mental health content for each stereotyping issue. The initiative will develop resources that incorporate traditional practices to support women’s mental well-being and foster a supportive network for women to share experiences and solutions. The expected outcomes include improved mental health support tailored to cultural contexts, increased community awareness of the effects of stereotyping, and strengthened local capacities in delivering culturally adapted mental health care. 

Project Team:

Nur Faridah, CEO and Co-Founder, Sqouts.AI
Project Role: chatbot development and funding
Email: nurfaridah135@gmail.com

Trishna Thapa, Deputy CEO, Nagarik Aawaz
Project Role: content verification
Email: trishnathapa48@gmail.com

Misni Parjiati, Community Organiser, Lembaga Kajian Islam & Social/Center for Islamic Studies and Social Transformation
Project Role: local knowledge content, beneficiaries outreach
Email: misni.p@gmail.com

Biplabi Shrestha, Program Director, ARROW (Asian- Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women)
Project Role: Advisor
Email: biplabis@gmail.com

For more information, please email Nur Faridah 

Additional Resources:
Mental Health Support for Women _ Presentation

Paving Pathways: Gendering Peace for Policy and Practice

The “Paving Pathways: Gendering Peace for Policy and Practice" project stands out as a transformative effort that leverages global policy frameworks to empower peace practitioners in the Global South. By assembling a peace repository of real-world experiences and challenges faced by practitioners, particularly women and young people, the project aims to produce an edited book of resources, which would feed into a comprehensive practitioners’ toolkit. The diversity of the project team is a strength to this initiative, as it builds on experiences and expertise from varying contexts across six countries. The team strongly believes that this collaborative knowledge exchange would help to bridge existing gaps between policy and practice in peacebuilding. In doing so, the project reshapes the landscape of peacebuilding knowledge, fostering a more inclusive, violence-free, and gender-equal society. Overall, this intervention strongly aligns with the Asia Peace Innovators Forum's mandate of exchanging region-led best practices and experiences from interdisciplinary sectors seeking to shape long-term peace, stability, and South-South cooperation.

Project Team:

Lihini Ratwatte, Gender Specialist, UNDP
Project Role: Project Co-Lead and Country Coordinator
Email: lihini.ratwatte@gmail.com

Kaltumi Abdulazeez, Executive Director, Ladies Empowerment Goals and Support Initiatives (LEGASI)
Project Role: Project Member and Country Coordinator
Email: kaltumi@legasi.org

Wyclife Ongeta, Executive Director, Oasis Peace Web Organisation
Project Role: Project Co-Lead and Country Coordinator
Email: ongetaw2009@gmail.com

Annu Singh, Community Institution and Gender Specialist, Transform Rural India (TRI)
Project Role: Project Co-Lead and Country Coordinator
Email: annusinghup@gmail.com

Anna Christi Suwardi, Lecturer, Mae Fah Luang University
Project Role: Project Member and Country Coordinator
Email: annacsuwardi@gmail.com 

Hang Hybunna, Head of Program and Partnership, Plan International Cambodia
Project Role: Project Member and Country Coordinator
Email: hybunna.hang@gmail.com

For more information, please email Lihini Ratwatte, Annu Singh, and Wyclife Ongeta

Additional Resources:
Paving Pathways _ Blog

Promoting Peace Through Mediation

"Promoting Peace Through Mediation" focuses on addressing disputes and conflicts in South Africa, Nepal, and the Philippines through the practice of mediation. The project aims to leverage the universal applicability of mediation to promote reconciliation, settlement, and compromise among conflicting parties. By targeting women in the Philippines, rural communities in Nepal, and the LGBTQ+ community in South Africa, the initiative seeks to resolve specific societal challenges through voluntary mediation. This approach not only addresses disputes outside the judicial system but also fosters long-term peace and stability. The expected outcomes include enhanced conflict resolution skills among the target groups, reduced instances of violence and discrimination, and strengthened societal peace and security across the three countries. This project envisions a more harmonious and cooperative environment where diverse communities can coexist peacefully.

Project Team:

Mduduzi Ntuli, Educator and Development Head, Johannesburg Holocaust & Genocide Centre
Project Role: Project Lead
Email: mduduzi@jhbholocaust.co.za

Ayessa Tin, Program Analyst, Women, Peace, and Security program, U.N. Women's Philippine Project Office
Project Role: Project Member
Email: tin.ayessav@gmail.com 

Nirmal Kumar Upreti, President, Forum for Nation Building
Project Role: Project Member
Email: fnbnirmal@gmail.com

For more information, please email Mduduzi Ntuli

Climate Change-Peacebuilding Nexus: Facilitating Integrated Programming in Asia and the Pacific by Peace Advocates for Climate Action (PACA) Collective

"Climate Change-Peacebuilding Nexus: Facilitating Integrated Programming in Asia and the Pacific by Peace Advocates for Climate Action (PACA) Collective" addresses the critical link between climate change and conflict. The project aims to fill gaps in knowledge, training, and collaboration among peacebuilding and climate change practitioners. The initiative employs three main interventions: developing an online platform as a resource repository and collaborative space, creating a pool of trained experts to design and implement integrated programs, and conducting public awareness campaigns. The expected outcomes include enhanced integrated approaches to peacebuilding and climate resilience, improved practitioner networks, and increased public awareness of the climate-conflict nexus, particularly benefiting women in the Philippines, rural communities in Nepal, and the LGBTQ+ community in South Africa.

Project Team:

Kasun Pathiraja, Country Coordinator, FHI360 
Project Role: Project Management
Email: sandunpathiraja@gmail.com 

Melinda Martinus, Lead Researcher, ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute
Project Role: Knowledge Sharing Lead
Email: melinda_martinus@iseas.edu.sg 

Laurice Jamero, Climate Resilience Coordinator, Manila Observatory 
Project Role: Training Lead
Email: ljamero@observatory.ph 

Razcel Jan Salvarita, Founder, Baryo Balangaw Creative Initiatives 
Project Role: Training Lead
Email: razceljan@gmail.com 

Sinath Sous, Grants Manager, Cambodian Living Arts 
Project Role: Advocacy Lead
Email: sinathsous@gmail.com 

For more information, please email Razcel Jan Salvarita

Contested Memories in Contemporary Asia, Book Project

Contested Memories in Contemporary Asia is an edited volume centered on various themes related to memorialization, ranging from gender to cartography. Drawing on numerous case studies, the chapters cover the entire Asian region, from Armenia to Thailand. This volume will contribute to the broader body of scholarship by focusing on how the policing and weaponization of memorialization affect everyday lived experiences and pose a barrier to democracy. Potential authors have submitted their abstracts, which are currently under review, while a book proposal for an international publisher will be submitted in mid-July.

Project Team:

Dishani Senaratne, Founder/Project Director, Writing Doves
Project Role: Co-author
Email: dish3000e@gmail.com

Navras Aafreedi, Assistant Professor, Presidency University
Project Role: Co-author
Email: navras.his@presiuniv.ac.in

Fore more information, please email Dishani Senarantne