Assaad Chaftari and Gaby Jammal, both Lebanese, both members of FFP, have lived that dynamic firsthand. Chaftari, born in 1955, served as a senior intelligence officer of the Lebanese Christian militia „Lebanese Forces“ during the Lebanese Civil War. Today he says: „I played God during the war“. Jammal, 63, whose father was a Palestinian Christian, and mother a Lebanese Maronite, began training to fight with a Palestinian militia in 1974, the year before the war broke out. At age 13, Gaby had shown a natural talent for handling a rifle, and was awarded his very own Kalashnikov. Back then he called it his „first girlfriend“.

Both found themselves on opposing sides during the Lebanese Civil War, perpetuating the conflict cycle. And both changed over time. They later chose not merely to make adjustments to reduce confrontation but to become advocates, and fighters for peace.

Why is this so important? Monika Wohlfeld, Lecturer and Holder of the German Chair in Peace and Conflict Prevention at the University of Malta writes in „An Overview of the Conflict Cycle“: „A conflict is a dynamic situation and the intensity of conflict changes over time“.

More than 60 ex-fighters exchange war experiences

Each conflict follows a cyclical pattern, as e.g. shown in Orasa Suksawangs “Feedback Loop of Conflict” or J.R. Robinsons “Conflict Cycle Concept”: It starts with tension building up as the parties involved begin to take sides, and might quickly lead to a phase where the validity of each side's position is questioned. As the conflict escalates, a sense of injustice grows, with each faction seeking support for their stance. Eventually, the confrontation occurs, where the parties meet head-on. Worst case this can create intense tension and potentially lead to lasting barriers. However, the cycle may continue as the parties adjust to resolve the conflict. To prevent this development is an aim of Personal testimonies that serve as counternarratives.

‍‍FFP is a Lebanese NGO, established in 2014 by former combatants from the Lebanese Civil War. The organization is dedicated to advancing non-violence, reconciliation, and sustainable civil peace by involving ex-fighters, youth, and civil society activists. Today, more than 60 ex-fighters facilitate dialogue sessions, offer psychosocial support, deliver peace-building training, and exchange war experiences to promote community cohesion. The organization's mission statement embodies its commitment: "We cannot undo the past, but we can change the future."

"Change must originate from within us"

At the heart of FFP's work is the belief that personal testimonies can serve as a powerful counternarrative to the glorification of armed conflict. By sharing their stories of violence, suffering, and ultimately, their transformation, FFP members aim to inspire others to reject the path of violence and embrace nonviolent approaches to resolving disputes.

When questioned about the initiatives influence on his personal evolution "from past to future," Chaftari elaborates: "Instead of waiting for external changes, what if we took the first step and initiated change within ourselves? This introspective journey entails recognizing our shortcomings, contemplating past errors, and perpetually aiming for self-betterment." He emphasizes that it's a never-ending process. „A fundamental tenet guiding this metamorphosis is the conviction that change must originate from within us before we can expect others to start.“

Which also means: by providing a platform for former combatants to share their stories and find purpose in promoting peace, the organization has as well facilitated the personal transformation of its members, who have reported a renewed sense of purpose, a deeper understanding of the human cost of war, and a steadfast commitment to using their experiences to create a more just and peaceful world.

"If I can change, anyone can"

Indeed, Chaftari and Jammal both emphasize the transformative potential of personal change. Chaftari expresses this by stating, "If someone like myself, who once may have been considered among the worst individuals, can undergo a profound transformation, then it signifies that anyone has the capacity for change."

By sharing their personal stories and firsthand experiences as former combatants, they aim to dispel misconceptions about the nature of war and its consequences. And they believe that by sharing their unique perspectives, they can establish credibility with their audiences and offer insights that go beyond academic or workshop-based knowledge. Says Jammal: "We have to highlight a common misconception among some youth: the reality of war is far from a game."

It is a proven concept: take that two-day FFP training in November 2017, when a fiery dynamic ignited between the 12 fighters present. A dynamic that pitted older fighters from the civil war versus younger fighters who had took part in a fighting between Jabal Mohsen and Bab al-Tabbaneh in Tripoli, Northern Lebanon. As reported in a UNDP’s projects newsletter, one of the younger fighters from Tripoli asked: “It took you 10 years to realize that you made a mistake after you’ve been through war. Why do you want to tell us to stop fighting? Why don’t you let us go through our own experiences and see for ourselves?”

The Fighters for Peace responded: „We will not let the generations that come after us go through the same struggles, and we will give everything we have to stand against the risk of relapse into war in this country.” They told this to the younger fighters from both sides, who, for the first time, sat side by side, told their stories openly and discussed their experiences.

In addition to their educational initiatives, FFP also plays a crucial role in advocating for policies and programs that support the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of former combatants. Drawing on their firsthand experiences, FFP members work to influence policymakers and shape more effective reintegration strategies that address the unique challenges faced by those transitioning from a life of armed conflict.

Breaking cycles with Futures Thinking

But do these firsthand accounts nowadays really catch on, in times when a constant pressure to secure, especially financial stability, leaves them in day-to-day survival concerns rather than broader societal issues? A phenomenon not unique to Lebanon but is prevalent throughout the Middle East and beyond: „People living in violence face many challenges when trying to break out of that cycle—from being faced with a global paradigm of fighting violence with violence, to having to struggle against their own memories of violence and the natural instinct to recreate what we know best, from simply lacking the luxury of being able to think into the future and strategize for something different than their current surroundings“, as Tessa Finlev from “The Institute for the Future” writes in „Future Peace: Breaking Cycles of Violence through Futures Thinking“. And adds: „Futures thinking may hold the key to diminishing these particular challenges“.

So, given the ubiquity of conflicts globally, one might wonder why initiatives like Fighters for Peace are not considered role models that expand to other regions such as Europe, the US, or Africa, fostering peace and reconciliation through dialogue and shared experiences. What if it became a global model for engaging ex-combatants?

"To answer this, I'd like to borrow something from Johan Galtung, who kept telling us that we need to figure out ways to 'market peace'," says Jean-Paul Chami, a Lebanese Peacebuilding Consultant, Trainer, and Dialogue Facilitator specializing in Conflict Transformation. "Peace needs to be marketed effectively, with more creativity in promoting peacebuilding initiatives to address disillusionment and frustration prevalent not just in Lebanon."

At the same time Chami advocates for a more global approach: as conflicts become globalized, peacebuilding must also adopt a more global perspective to effectively address these challenges, he says.

So, „future-think“ the Fighters For Peace idea on a global level should be a no-brainer, shouldn’t it? „Indeed, we recognize that many communities around the world share similar struggles and traumas," says 25-year-old Nour Nasr, who has been engaged with FFPs since 2020. "Take, for example, Rwanda's journey towards reconciliation that offers valuable lessons for Lebanon. Despite facing different challenges, both countries have demonstrated the importance of dialogue and community involvement in healing wounds. By learning from such examples, we can adapt strategies that promote peace and understanding in Lebanon." And vice versa.  

The time is right to think about an offspring

However, it is, as so often, the financial obstacles and the need for a clear strategy that make it difficult for initiatives such as the FFP to take the next steps. Yes, expanding to and being adapted within other conflict settings might allow for the dissemination of successful peacebuilding strategies across borders, potentially influencing peace efforts in different regions. But "peace marketing“ – meaning market the idea in a way to influence social behaviors, to change attitudes, habits, in the benefit of the society in general – requires funding.

On the other hand, with escalating and worsening conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan and Yemen the time is - unfortunately - right to think about an international FFP offspring. "In today's world, we can't limit ourselves to building peace within our own context," says Christina Foerch, co-founder of Fighters for Peace. "I’m not saying that we should not continue to work on a grassroots level in our very own context - but: so many things are interlinked, and so many small issues have become also connected to the global issues." But there are almost no spaces for dialogue, she continues. "Maybe one day in Europe they will need us, the Fighters For Peace. I never thought that this was possible, but actually, yes, right now I feel it is."