If our shields are what separate us, it's what's behind them that brings us together: the struggles, the worries, the pain, the weakness. All the soft spots. The places we protect. These are the things that make us most relatable to others. These are the things that connect us – if we only allow them to be seen.
- Brandon Stanton, author and photographer
The Respect in the Commonwealth programme is an iteration of the youth-focused Faith in the Commonwealth programme, with a broadened beneficiary base to include any individual, government or organisation.
It aims to build capacity to facilitate and lead work within communities in the promotion of resilience, social cohesion, global citizenship, and in building deepened inter-community and cross-cultural understanding in Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE).
The programme has been created by the Commonwealth Secretariat Countering Violent Extremism Unit, because building understanding and fostering dialogue is a core foundation from which to build peace and prevent conflict.
The Respect in the Commonwealth programme is a training package, available to anyone looking to improve relationships, dialogue and respect on any issue. The programme is designed to be used in any member country, as part of a movement towards equipping any individual, organisation or government with the knowledge and tools to lead change within their countries, societies and communities.
