Aegis Trust: Feeding humanity to prevent violence, insecurity and future genocides
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“When there is food, unity and reconciliation is possible - when there is unity and reconciliation, people work better and produce more to eat ”, Rwandan interviewees.
Can hunger be addressed through promoting humanity; does nutrition play a role in the prevention of violence; and should there be greater integration of nutrition and violence prevention initiatives? The Aegis Trust will present research that explores the interplay between nutrition, violence prevention and mental health, especially related to early childhood and families. This will also include a brief review of lessons learnt from initiatives piloted in East and Central Africa.
Panelists
Aegis Trust
The Aegis Trust works to prevent future genocides and to promote humanity. We do this primarily through research, education and the dissemination of information and advice.
Aegis understands genocidal violence as an extreme outcome of a pathway of inhumanity, which can be countered at early stages, similar to disease prevention. Aegis recognizes that nutrition and food security are critical in this process, along with livelihoods, education and health.
Aegis has a global mission, with headquarters in the UK. Aegis has developed a methodology through its work in the UK and Rwanda that transforms hearts and minds. Referred to as Champion Humanity™, this methodology changes attitudes, leading to the creation of new and strengthening existing efforts towards building peace and social cohesion, key factors for food security.
The story of Aegis began 40 years ago by a single family from the UK. The Smith family established a small retreat house in 1978, which was to become the first Holocaust education centre in the UK, opening in 1995. This led to the formation of Aegis in 1999, and then the creation of the Kigali Genocide Memorial in 2004 and the Aegis Champion Humanity™ initiative.