Our vision
We envision a region where people live together in mutual respect and understanding of each other’s culture and langage, and where people work to achieve common goals for food security, shelter, and freedom from oppression.
Our expertise
Timbuktu Center provides in-depth research, policy analysis and peacebuilding innovative solutions on the Sahel. through our network of policy experts, peer-reviewed research and trusted analysis influence policy makers in the Sahel to innovate on peacebuilding. We conducts research and studies in a number of social sciences, including conflict dynamics, governance, violent extremism, foreign policy, irregular migration and development.
What do we stand for ?
Research & Program Design
Peacebuilding Project Management
Youth
Democracy & Political Transition
Governance
Understanding Violent Extremism
Digital Tech for Peace
Research & Program Design
Our team members speak multiple local languages of the Sahel region, as well as English and French. They represent many ethnic groups and have different backgrounds of local, national and international consulting experience. Our teams are mostly based across the Sahel, with support expertise across Africa, Europe, and North America. We have different expertise in languages, research conflict resolution, cultural and historical studies, and fundraising. We have extensive data collection experience at the global level and with remote rural nomad environments. We coordinate our expertise, ideas, and creativity to design programs and adapt them for each community’s reality across our areas of intervention.
Peacebulding Project Management
We work on peacebuilding, grant writing and with organizations that have projects already on the ground. We apply our expertise, skills, tools, resources to design new innovative approaches to build awareness of shared cultural heritage across ethnic groups.
Youth
The Timbuktu Center focuses on the empowerment of youth and grassroots communities to enable positive social change. In conflict zones, youth are among the most vulnerable populations. This is why we work to build the potential of young people to be partners in positive, non-violent social change. We work with local and international organizations to support youth led initiatives and civic engagement, project funding, coaching and mentoring to help young people reach their full potential. When young people are empowered, educated, and supported, they can develop the positive mindsets and practical tools to make the world a better place to live.
Understanding Violent Extremism
Our work focuses on research and collection of data on the root causes of violent extremism by understanding the religious normative languages in order to break the cycle of radicalization. In addition to our Sahel field work, we design programs, hold workshops and conferences to prevent violent extremism. The Timbuktu Center collects data and designs local solutions by providing research and training to people impacted by violent extremism.
Governance
As Researchers in governance we work with local community leaders, civil society, youth, and international organizations to design programs to encourage accountability and promote good governance across the public and private sector. Our aim is to ensure that civilians participate in policy making, development and national reconciliation efforts. The Timbuktu Center seeks to strengthen governance by supporting inclusive, accountable institutions.
Capacity Building
The Timbuktu Center builds local communities’ capacity to face challenges. We design training modules that make use of local knowledge innovative approaches and solutions at the individual level, and at the community and institutional levels. Our capacity and skill building programs are practical and sustainable. Our courses are developed and hosted in collaboration with our partners, using real-world and local case studies. Participants learn from the experience of their peers, mentors, and coaches. We promote digital technology training with methodologies for effective, modern learning and skills development such as innovative e-learning platforms and data collection. Above all we develop peers-to-peers learning networks and apply approaches even in a challenging conflict environment.
Democracy & Political Transition
The root causes of violent conflict and political misunderstanding in most sub-Saharan African countries can be found in the lack of involvement of grassroots communities and youth in political discussion and policy making. In short, people are isolated from each other and their governments. The Timbuktu Center specializes in getting dialogue going. First, the Center set up research programs in conflict areas to gather data on specific factors involved in conflicts. Then, the Center works with communities to develop local strategies to settle conflict through dialogue.
Digital Tech For Peace
In the digital age, new technologies and social media can be used for positive social change. Our digital technology experts, in partnership with social media web activists, develop tools for diagnosing and preventing problems, and then building solutions to violent conflict. We wish to inspire our generation and future generations to innovate and build programs that can contribute to lasting peace and good governance.
Cultural Heritage
The Timbuktu Center is also engaged in preserving the cultural heritage and historical legacy of a storied city and region. The center is well connected to the story of the manuscripts of Timbuktu and the families who share in their preservation and protection. As researchers and historians our mission is dedicated to sharing our cultural heritage by producing documentary films, public education programs, books, and articles. To complement these programs, we will organize cultural events and music festivals that bring communities together to reinforce social fabric and build peace. As we connect to the rest of the world, we will use our cultural heritage to prevent conflict and transform violent extremism on the edge of the Sahara. Our work also involves helping elementary and secondary schools empower youth of northern Mali through academic and cultural heritage education. Our heritage is our legacy from ancient times. It is a source of inspiration. Learning from the past will help us move forward into a brilliant future.
Be among the first to know about major news and updates.