In communities where conflict is often generational and systemic, peace cannot be separated from justice, dignity, and daily survival. Through its peace education work, the Ecumenical Church Leaders Forum (ECLF) continues to strengthen the connection between peacebuilding and development.
In a quiet room filled with markers, paper, and the weight of untold stories, people let go of policy jargon and speak from the heart. Through simple creative exercises, pain surfaced—not as theory, but as lived memory. One’s drawing showing eyes wide open and a mouth sewn shut. Another person folds a blank page and says, “This is what it feels like to cut someone out of my life.”
These weren’t just personal reckonings—they were mirrors reflecting shared truths. “Wounds left unspoken ripple through classrooms, families, entire communities”. These were reflections from one of our child protection workshops in Bulawayo, supported by MCC . maybe that’s where healing began—not in fixing, but in finally being seen.
There’s a kind of silence that doesn’t feel peaceful. It sits in offices, in meeting rooms, even in churches. It grows roots in the places where people feel unseen, unheard, or too afraid to speak. At first, it feels like keeping the peace. But over time, that silence becomes the very thing that tears people apart.
At the heart of peacebuilding lies the ability to listen, understand, and address the root causes of conflict.
In many communities, silence speaks volumes. It is the silence of unresolved conflicts, unaddressed injustices, and voices that are silenced by fear or oppression. The Ecumenical Church Leaders Forum (ECLF) recognizes that when silence is too loud, it leaves behind divisions, misunderstandings, and deep wounds that continue to shape societies in ways we may not always see. This silence can be deafening, but ECLF is working tirelessly to break it
One powerful example of ECLF's approach is its work with theological colleges, like the United Theological College (UTC) in Harare. A recent three-day workshop on Advanced Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Transformation, and Healing (CPMRTH) for UTC's leadership (supported by ELCA) brought much-needed attention to the silence that often surrounds conflict in church and community settings. Through this workshop, ECLF sought to empower participants—both teaching and non-teaching staff—with the tools and knowledge necessary to address conflicts that are often left unspoken.
The silence that prevails in these institutions can be just as damaging as the conflicts themselves. Whether it's the lack of communication, unequal power dynamics, or gender-based exclusion, these unaddressed issues create a foundation for discontent and division. Through gender-responsive training and open, honest dialogue, ECLF is providing a safe space for these silent struggles to be heard and addressed.
Rev. Dr. Elitha Moyo, a guest facilitator and gender justice advocate, emphasized the importance of engaging theological institutions as part of a broader strategy to break the silence on gender inequality and conflict within religious spaces. As an alumna of UTC, Dr. Moyo’s presence at the workshop was a reminder that change begins with individuals who are willing to confront the silence.
During the workshop, participants openly reflected on their own experiences with conflict—whether it was poor management, lack of resources, or ethnic tensions. Many shared how they had been "avoiding the elephant in the room," silently enduring issues without knowing how to address them. As one participant put it, "We are pretending to work together, but we are not."
The silence that prevails in these institutions can be just as damaging as the conflicts themselves. Whether it's the lack of communication, unequal power dynamics, or gender-based exclusion, these unaddressed issues create a foundation for discontent and division. Through gender-responsive training and open, honest dialogue, ECLF is providing a safe space for these silent struggles to be heard and addressed.
Conversations that Heal Communities
In many communities, conflict isn’t always loud—it hides in silence, in the unspoken rules that shape how we live, relate, and survive. Through recent peacebuilding dialogues, participants bravely started naming the everyday struggles they face: gossip that fractures trust, the neglect of mental well-being, drug abuse, and the loss of parenting as a shared value. As these hidden tensions surfaced, the community began recognizing the power of simply speaking truth.
The conversations didn’t stop at the surface. People dug deeper into the cultural practices that shape their lives—especially around gender, marriage, and social expectations. Discussions on lobola, emotional pain in relationships, and the silence around sex and sexuality revealed how traditions can both support and harm. Instead of shutting down these discussions, participants leaned into the discomfort. This space became a mirror, reflecting back how power, silence, and culture intersect—and how they might be transformed. Community dialogue in Tsholotsho, Skente, March 2025. Supported by Church of Sweden
The Crumbling Loaf
Chomubhobho Primary School | 12–13 October 2023
When peace calls, the community responds—and this time, the call came from deep in Ward 20, Mberengwa. Following a powerful 3-day sensitization meeting, community members requested further training to establish their own Local Peace Committee (LPC). ECLF answered that call—stepping in to facilitate a dynamic two-day LPC capacity building session.
The turnout? 25 engaged participants—youths, women, traditional leaders, pastors, councillors, teachers, and government reps—all gathered under one roof to build a shared vision for peace.
Led by Ms. Pamhidzai Thaka and Mr. N. Zhou from the ECLF team, the workshop was hands-on and heartfelt. Through storytelling, group reflection, real-life case studies, and laughter-filled skits, the community unpacked complex topics—what peace means to them, how gender injustice fuels conflict, and why everyone’s voice, especially women’s and young people’s, needs to be at the table.
The roots of conflict? Participants named them boldly: artisanal mining, domestic violence, early marriages, infidelity, land disputes, broken family ties, corruption, and poor service delivery. These weren't just words—they were lived realities. But what about the leaves—the symptoms? Political tensions. Violence. Frustration. Silence.
ECLF introduced tools like the Positive Peace Framework and the Gender Transformative Approach to help reframe these challenges—and build from them. By the end of Day Two, the community had not only elected a new, inclusive LPC Executive Committee (with reps from youth, women, persons with disabilities, and elders), but they’d also designed actionable referral pathways and agreed to host gender dialogues and targeted male/female engagement sessions in the months ahead.