Webinar Event
Weaving Resilience: Community-Led Wellbeing in Conflict Zones
This session will bring together peacebuilders from diverse regions to share their stories, insights, and strategies for fostering resilience and well-being in conflict-affected communities from Gaza, Afghanistan, South Sudan, and Venezuela. The webinar will explore:" How peacebuilders prioritise their own wellbeing and that of their communities during crises. Examples of peer-to-peer support systems and grassroots initiatives that promote social cohesion and reduce tensions. Practical approaches to stabilising communities and fostering peace at the local level.
InvitatioN
Dear peace practitioners and community leaders from MENA, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean,
We are delighted to invite you to an engaging webinar as part of the Peace Connect Weaving Conversations, taking place on:
🗓 Date: September 17, 2025
⏰ Time: 4:00 PM (GMT+3)
🌍 Location: Online
About the Webinar
This webinar will bring together peacebuilders from diverse regions to share their stories, insights, and strategies for fostering resilience and well-being in conflict-affected communities from Gaza, Afghanistan, South Sudan, and Venezuela. The webinar will explore:"
● How peacebuilders prioritise their own wellbeing and that of their communities during crises.
● Examples of peer-to-peer support systems and grassroots initiatives that promote social cohesion and reduce tensions.
● Practical approaches to stabilising communities and building peace at the local level.
Why Attend?
● Gain valuable insights from inspiring peacebuilders working in Gaza, South Sudan, Colombia, Myanmar and any conflict zone.
● Participate in interactive discussions on solidarity, resilience, and community-led peacebuilding.
● Connect with a global network of peacebuilders and advocates.
Interpretation Available
To ensure accessibility, the session will include interpretation in French, Arabic, and Spanish.
How to Join
Please register using the link below to secure your spot:
[Registration Link]
We encourage you to share this invitation widely within your networks to ensure a diverse and inclusive audience.
We look forward to your participation in this important conversation.
Warm regards,
The NEAR Team
PAST EVENTS
Webinar Event
Shifting the Power: Lessons from INGOs Transitioning Leadership to Local NGOs
Language: The webinar will be conducted in English with simultaneous interpretation into Arabic, depending on the language preferences of registrants.
Purpose of the Webinar
We will explore practical experiences, lessons learned, and ongoing barriers in the journey toward meaningful localisation. Leaders from INGOs will share their insights on shifting power, resources, and decision-making to local NGOs, highlighting what is working, what must change, and how INGOs can become true enablers of locally-led development and humanitarian action.
The discussion will focus on:
Concrete actions and lessons learned from INGOs that have shifted power, resources, and decision-making to local NGOs.
Ongoing challenges and what must change for effective and equitable localisation.
Good practices and recommendations for INGOs to move from rhetoric to real change.
The Target Audience for this Webinar
● Local NGOs and Civil Society Organisations: Representatives from local organisations who are directly involved in aid delivery and localisation efforts in the MENA region.
● International NGOs (INGOs): Staff and leaders from international organisations seeking to support and collaborate with local actors in crisis-affected areas.
● Donors and Funding Agencies: Donors interested in understanding the challenges and opportunities of localisation and how to effectively support locally-led initiatives.
● Humanitarian and Development Practitioners: Professionals working in the fields of humanitarian aid and development who are interested in learning about best practices in localisation.
● Policy Makers and Government Officials: Individuals involved in shaping policies that impact localisation efforts and humanitarian responses in the region.
● Academics and Researchers: Scholars studying conflict, humanitarian aid, and development who are interested in the practical applications of localisation strategies.
Wejdan Jarrah
Wejdan Jarrah is currently the Regional Representative for the Middle East and North Africa at the Network for Empowered Aid Response (NEAR), where she champions member engagement and advocates for localisation agendas. With over 18 years of experience in humanitarian and development sectors, she has a proven track record in organisational development, capacity building, coaching, and movement building. Wejdan has held significant roles with International NGOs. Her expertise includes strategic planning, leadership, programme management, psychosocial support, protection, safeguarding, and accountability. She holds a Master's degree in Social Science with a focus on Psychological Counselling from Al Yarmouk University.
Valeria Geremia
Valeria Geremia holds a Master's in International Law from the Geneva Graduate Institute and a Law degree from the University of Catania. She has extensive international experience in human rights, migration, and asylum across Latin America and Europe, with expertise in advocacy, government lobbying, NGO coordination, and programme management. For 12 years, she served as Executive Coordinator at REDIM, a network of 78 local NGOs in Mexico. Since August 2024, she has served as Network Influencing Coordinator at NEAR.
Ray Hasan
Ray leads Christian Aid’s International Programme, which operates globally and works closely with partners and communities to tackle poverty and injustice. The team provides technical, practical, and institutional support to civil society, networks, and alliances and shares expertise and learning in development, humanitarian, and peacebuilding practices to maximise collective impact. Ray has considerable experience in international development, supporting civil society organisations, engaging with governments and donors, and leading global programmes and large-scale humanitarian responses
Murali kunduru
Murali Kunduru is a mission-driven, strategic, and experienced senior leader with over 18 years of global experience in humanitarian and development action, including work in fragile and post-conflict settings. His work emphasises Locally Led Humanitarian Action, civil society movements, community-based organisations, and aid efficiency. Murali has contributed to community- and child-centered policies, the localisation of global frameworks, and monitoring efforts across multiple countries.