In September 2024, Lea Baroudi, founder and director of MARCH Lebanon, took part in PeaceCon 2024, a premier global conference addressing modern challenges in peacebuilding and conflict resolution. Held in Washington, D.C., the event convened senior officials, thought leaders, policymakers, and grassroots practitioners from around the world to explore innovative solutions for building and sustaining peace in increasingly divided societies.
Baroudi was a featured speaker in a high-level plenary session titled “Pluralism and Trust: Why Trust is So Vital to Peacebuilding.” The session was co-moderated by Liz Hume, Executive Director of the Alliance for Peacebuilding, and Meredith Preston McGhie, Secretary General of the Global Centre for Pluralism. Alongside Baroudi, the panel included Paul Turner, Executive Director of the Fund for Peace, and Helena Puig Larrauri, Co-founder and Strategy Lead at Build Up.
As social cohesion continues to decline globally, the panel examined the transformative role that pluralism and societal resilience can play in restoring trust and rebuilding fractured communities. Drawing on data from the Fund for Peace’s State Resilience Index and real-world examples, the session posed a critical question: “What will it take to rebuild and grow trust and social cohesion?”
From her work in Lebanon, Baroudi offered powerful insights on the emotional roots of conflict, particularly in identity-fragmented societies. She emphasized that sustainable peace requires addressing the underlying fears and insecurities that drive division. In her experience, trust-building is a deeply human process—especially in communities long impacted by violence, marginalization, or radicalization.
“As a woman and peacebuilder,” she explained, “I’m often seen as less threatening, which helps open doors and build bridges across divides.” Her approach centers on listening, empathy, and inclusion, allowing her to reach people across the spectrum—from former fighters to radicalized youth—through creative initiatives and grassroots engagement.
Baroudi also shared powerful stories of former fighters who chose to trust her—not because of formal authority or position, but because of her genuine curiosity and willingness to listen without judgment. By approaching these individuals with empathy and an open heart, she was able to understand the complex challenges they faced. Her reflections highlighted that trust is not built through policy alone, but through authentic human connection. She emphasized the importance of emotional intelligence, compassion, and genuine care in engaging with marginalized youth—qualities that have allowed her to form meaningful bonds in the communities she works with. “It’s the human element,” she noted, “that creates the breakthrough for trust.”
The discussion with other fellow panelis speaker also highlighted the critical need to foster pluralistic societies where diversity is seen not as a threat but as a strength. Baroudi and her fellow panelists showcased how localized peacebuilding efforts in Lebanon, Somalia, and Sudan are actively dismantling barriers of mistrust and replacing them with dialogue, collaboration, and hope.
As global peacebuilders look for effective models in these polarized times, Baroudi’s work stands out as a compelling example of how pluralism, trust, and inclusive leadership can help chart a new course toward resilient, peaceful societies.
Click here to view the full recording of PeaceCon 2024
