Mensen met een Missie

We’re looking for two new colleagues to strengthen our finance team. Mensen met een Missie is starting a new five-year international programme with partners in nine countries. 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲: 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀. → Programme Finance Controller: https://lnkd.in/ePMqPbeY → Project Finance & Compliance Officer: https://lnkd.in/eJmY_eeK Both roles are for 28–32 hours a week and based in The Hague. Good command of English is required; Dutch is a plus. Applications close 1 September. Know someone who might fit? Please share.

Gesprekken in de klas worden steeds harder. Een opmerking over geloof. Een discussie over oorlog. Een botsing tussen studenten met verschillende achtergronden, normen of ervaringen. Voor docenten is dat vaak zoeken. Je wilt ruimte geven aan studenten, ook wanneer een gesprek spannend wordt. Tegelijk wil je voorkomen dat anderen zich gekwetst of buitengesloten voelen. 𝘒𝘦𝘯 𝘫𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘫? helpt scholen om hier structureel mee aan de slag te gaan. Docenten krijgen praktische handvatten om gevoelige gesprekken te begeleiden. Studenten oefenen met luisteren, doorvragen en hun mening onder woorden brengen met aandacht voor de ander. Op MBO Utrecht ziet teamleider Mürvet wat dat in beweging zet: “Na een paar maanden zien we al echt verandering: studenten zijn opener en eerlijker, stellen bewustere vragen en voeren gesprekken die we in het dagelijkse onderwijs voorheen zelden zagen.” In de video vertelt Mürvet waarom 𝘒𝘦𝘯 𝘫𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘫? volgens haar waardevol is voor scholen die zoeken naar manieren om met spanning, verschil en polarisatie om te gaan. Wil jij weten wat 𝘒𝘦𝘯 𝘫𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘫? voor jouw school kan betekenen? 👉 Neem contact op via [email protected] of lees meer: https://lnkd.in/eP9qenvk

𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗮 𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆. 👇 In Mombasa, Kenya, upscale villas and informal settlements exist side by side, separated by just a few hundred meters. Beyond the tourist beaches, many families struggle with severe poverty. Young people often grow up without stable income, access to education, or clear opportunities. This makes them vulnerable. Criminal gangs and extremist groups actively recruit in these areas, offering money, status, and the promise of a better life. This is the reality Shamsa Abubakar Fadhil works within. As District Peace Chair, she is the first woman in her region to hold this role. A notable shift in a field traditionally dominated by men. When young people get drawn into crime or extremism, Shamsa doesn’t focus only on their actions. She looks at the root causes: hunger at home, unaffordable school fees, the pressure to bring home money or food. Using dialogue, mediation, and hands-on support, she helps individuals step away from crime and extremism. By collaborating with local authorities, families, and community networks, she guides them toward accountability, rebuilds trust, and supports them in finding new purpose. This is what peacebuilding looks like on the ground. Security isn’t created solely through policies, law enforcement, or military measures. It also grows from local efforts: people who recognize early risks, strengthen family bonds, and foster change from within communities. 𝗜𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗲𝗿𝘂𝗽𝘁𝘀, 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲. That’s why we stand side by side with women faith leaders like Shamsa. Because lasting peace begins where it matters most: in people’s everyday lives, led by those who understand their communities from the inside. Interested in learning more about women like Shamsa who are shaping peace? 👉 https://lnkd.in/eQYNXnwR #MensenmeteenMissie #Peacebuilding #PeaceandSecurity #ConflictPrevention #WomenofFaith

𝗜𝗳 𝘄𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘁, 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘄𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘀? One answer is often overlooked: in young people’s rights, agency and leadership. Across the world, young people are helping communities navigate growing polarisation, social tensions and mistrust. They create spaces for dialogue, challenge exclusion and build relationships across religious and social divides. At the same time, many young people face barriers that limit their ability to do exactly that. They have limited influence in decision-making, face obstacles in accessing education and economic opportunities, and often struggle to make their voices heard in the spaces where the future of their communities is being shaped. Young women frequently encounter additional barriers. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. They shape whether communities can build trust, address tensions peacefully and create space for people of different religious beliefs and identities to live together as equals. Five years of experience through JISRA have shown us that Freedom of Religion or Belief is closely connected to these realities. FoRB depends on more than laws and policies. It is strengthened when people have the freedom, confidence and opportunity to participate in society, engage with others and influence the decisions that affect their lives. Young people are a crucial part of that process. For policymakers, donors and practitioners working on FoRB, peacebuilding and security, this offers an important lesson: 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘦. 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀, 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲. What else can five years of FoRB programming teach us about youth, peacebuilding and social cohesion? We explore these lessons in our new article and learning paper on FoRB and youth: https://lnkd.in/dUmbwgzF #mensenmeteenmissie #JISRA #forb #youthrights #conflictprevention #peaceandsecurity

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗼. In eastern Indonesia, Sister Fransiska Imakulata meets women and girls who have survived domestic violence, sexual abuse or human trafficking. Some were deceived by promises of work. Others were exploited by people they trusted. Many arrive traumatised, isolated and afraid. Together with her team, Sister Fransiska provides shelter, counselling and practical support so women can begin rebuilding their lives. She stands beside them when filing police reports and during court proceedings — moments when survivors are often left to navigate the system alone. But her work does not stop with individual support. Her organisation also pressures local and national authorities to enforce laws against trafficking and sexual violence. Because what these women face is not only personal violence. It reflects deeper patterns of inequality, impunity and exclusion. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆. Sustainable peace is not built through policy alone. It is also built by trusted local leaders who protect vulnerable people, challenge harmful power structures and create safer communities from within. Religious women leaders like Sister Fransiska play a critical role in that process. They reach places institutions often cannot, while also holding those same institutions accountable. Step by step, this creates lasting change: women who receive support, learn about their rights and regain the power to shape their own future. At Mensen met een Missie, we support women religious leaders working for peace and security within their own communities. Because without women, there is no sustainable peace. Want to read more stories of peacemakers like Sister Fransiska? 👉 https://lnkd.in/eQYNXnwR #MensenmeteenMissie #WomenBuildPeace #WomenOfFaith #Peacemakers #Indonesia #HumanTrafficking

𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗥𝗕 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽. 𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗻𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀. Religious actors are deeply embedded in the social and moral fabric of communities. That makes them powerful allies for Freedom of Religion or Belief, but it also makes engagement complex. Five years of JISRA programme experience shows that the impact of engaging religious actors depends not on whether you involve them, but on how you engage with the systems of power and meaning they operate in. Four insights stand out: 1️⃣ Power determines whether engagement leads to inclusion or exclusion 2️⃣ Inclusive engagement requires shifting who is heard and recognized 3️⃣ Change depends on how religious meaning is negotiated 4️⃣ Influence expands when religious actors connect across systems For FoRB and peacebuilding practitioners, this is a practical reminder: the question is not whether to engage religious actors, but whether your programme is equipped to engage with the dynamics that shape their influence. 🔎 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘳 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘭𝘰𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦: https://lnkd.in/gQzebNrA Tearfund Nederland, Search for Common Ground, Faith to Action Network, Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken #Mensenmeteenmissie #JISRA #FoRB #Peacebuilding #ReligiousLeaders