Multidimensional Peace

According to the 2021 census, 36,290 Canadians reported Eritrean ancestry. Across Canada, the Eritrean diaspora sustains a living connection to home through tradition, memory, and collective care. Though the guns may be silent in Eritrea, social distrust, generational trauma, and civic disengagement travels across the two continents and the ocean that separates them. While Eritrea is not currently engaged in active warfare, the legacies of past conflicts loom large. And those who carry the memory of conflict across borders and generations know that peace is more than a word or a treaty. It is survival, identity, and responsibility

A Bloody Past

The Eritrean War of Independence that lasted 30 years and concluded in 1991 left an estimated 280,000 civilians dead, as well as about 70,000 members of armed groups on the Eritrean side. The border war with Ethiopia from 1998–2000 resulted in another 20,000 deaths, according to Human Rights Watch. Decades of armed struggle and regional tensions continue to shape political and civic life in Eritrea. In the context of this East African nation, peacebuilding is not about ending war, but about restoring civic trust and dialogue in a society navigating fragmentation, silence, political oppression, and generational wounds. For Eritreans in both Canada and Eritrea, peacebuilding involves restoring connection, forgiveness, and a shared sense of community.

Eritrean Diaspora in Canada

In cities like Toronto, Edmonton, Vancouver or Calgary, communities are larger in numbers and more visibly established. The Atlantic city of Halifax, being the capital of Nova Scotia, is particularly known for its strong community ties and high levels of cultural engagement. Eritrean Independence Day (May 24) and Martyrs Day (June 20) are publicly commemorated in Halifax. Churches and mosques serve as spiritual and cultural hubs, offering Tigrinya and Arabic classes and mentorship programs for the youth.

Digital Storytellers

Through platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, Eritrean youths are actively shaping digital cultural preservation. Prominent figures include George Drar, who shares archival images and national reflections that keep Eritrean history visible. Kisanet Tedros, founder of Beles Bubu and based in Uganda, creates Tigrinya-language children’s content to help preserve language and oral tradition. The Eritrean Diaspora Network (EDN) uses Instagram to promote cultural events, foster civic dialogue and non-partisan support between young people and the elderly. Many families also regularly send remittances to Eritrea, supporting relatives and local community projects. While often seen as exclusively through the lens of economic acts, these contributions form part of a lesser known network of peacebuilding, linking diaspora commitment to homeland well-being in a post-conflict environment.

Fractures Within the Community

Political polarization is a key issue within the Eritrean-Canadian community and is tied to historical divisions within Eritrea. These include differing views on post-independence governance, the 1998–2000 border war with Ethiopia, or enduring regional and ethno-linguistic divides. Further differences exist among Eritrean highland groups such as the Hamasien, Seraye, and Akele Guzai, which are aligned with regions historically associated with different cultural identities and dialects. This polarization plays a strong part in discouraging the youth from engaging for fear of being (mis-)aligned with a particular faction.

A Generational Disconnect

Many in the Eritrean-Canadian community carry direct memories of the struggle for independence, prioritizing national unity, sacrifice, and loyalty to state institutions. In contrast, young Eritreans raised in Canada often frame civic engagement through a rights-based lens, emphasizing dialogue, accountability, and democratic participation. These differing worldviews can lead to misunderstandings, where the youth are seen as disrespectful or politically naïve, while elders may be perceived as rigid or uncritical. The result is a disconnect that hampers collaboration and silences meaningful intergenerational dialogue on peacebuilding.

What Diaspora Youths Bring to Peacebuilding

With the ability to understand both Canadian civic structures and Eritrean cultural contexts, the Eritrean diaspora youth possess an advantage in peacebuilding through their bicultural fluency and global connectedness. Many young people engage in subtle but meaningful forms of peacebuilding, which includes mediating the intergenerational disconnects referenced above and initiating conversations that foster mutual understanding across seemingly polarized views. One example is the community dialogue hosted by the Eritrean Canadian Cultural Centre in Toronto. Amongst other events, Marwan AliBakhiet, President of the Canadian Eritrean Youth Dialogue (CEYD), reflected on the need for culturally sensitive spaces that promote open conversation and mutual respect within the Eritrean-Muslim community. These efforts reflect a commitment to restoring trust, identity, and nurturing dialogue, all of which are essential for long-term peace. In this context, youth from the diaspora are increasingly seen as bridges, linking host and home countries through knowledge-sharing and advocacy.

A Lack of Formal Youth Participation

Across Canada, newcomer programs prioritize integration into Canadian society, offering support with language, employment, and social services. However, this focus often leaves little space for Eritrean youths to explore their transnational identities or engage in civic initiatives connected to Eritrea. Many express interest in supporting development or peace-oriented efforts back home. However, only a few structured avenues enable them to do so, such as government-led youth partnerships, civic exchange programs, or consultative platforms. Young people face significant challenges in participating meaningfully in peacebuilding. Despite their active roles in the community, they are often dismissed as politically reactive, excluding them from processes that prioritize formal institutions or the voices of older members of the diaspora.

Local Engagement and Leadership Programs

Community initiatives and programs like the New Nakfa Mission and the Eritrean Professionals Mentoring Network (ERIPMN) have created vital spaces for Eritrean-Canadian youths to reflect on identity, resilience, and belonging. ERIPMN has hosted events where professionals share their journeys to inspire and equip the youth with navigating life between cultures. Similarly, New Nakfa runs digital campaigns highlighting Eritrean heritage, mental health, and youth leadership through Instagram spotlights and community stories. These platforms are not simply about individual growth. They are tailored to the cultural and linguistic needs of Eritreans in Canada, helping to rebuild a fractured diaspora and enabling individuals to eventually engage in cross-border peacebuilding efforts. Youth groups in Eritrean Orthodox churches likewise play a quiet but impactful role. They promote leadership, heritage education, and intergenerational dialogue through structured youth programming. Notably, their position outside Eritrea gives them emotional, political, and physical distance from the region’s historical and ongoing political tensions, enabling them to promote dialogue across polarized diaspora groups and generational divides.