People

Séverin Yao Kouamé

Ivory Coast

Biography

Séverin Kouamé, PhD in sociology and research professor at the University of Bouaké, founded and coordinates the local Interpeace team named Indigo Côte d’Ivoire. An exceptional facilitator working closely with the Ivorian population, his efforts are directed at community reconciliation in the country. According to him, it is the inclusive and participatory approach to which he was introduced that has positively impacted his initially pessimistic view of peacebuilding initiatives. He has come to realize that “peace is possible if you know how to bring it about.”

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“Je vous assure, mesdames et messieurs, à travers ce simple exercise de questionnements et de discussions collectives, les sociétés se rendent compte que la seule chose qui peut leur être utile, c’est lorsqu’elles se débarrassent de cette situation attentiste et qu’elles ont la capacité d’intéragir entre elles pour identifier la solution.”

Séverin Yao Kouamé