Sustainable peace-building in Burundi promotes peace & reconciliation amid war, and poverty.

After Timpson's Fulbright in Burundi, three Global Grants were created through Fort Collins and Ngozi Rotary Clubs, following a thirty-year civil war resolved with Nelson Mandela's help. The war, starting in 1962 amid Africa's independence wave, involved minority Tutsi (15%) ruling Burundi with colonial support and opposition from the majority Hutu (80%).

Limited by French education, peacebuilding efforts shifted to English to facilitate education, aiming to overcome poverty and colonialism and foster a deeper understanding of peace. In 2011, Timpson, as a Fulbright Senior Specialist, worked with colleagues in Burundi, leading to these Rotary Global Grants. These fostered collaboration with neurologist Dr. Spencer in 2025 and with the upcoming book 'Re-Training the Brain … for Peace.'

Timpson will discuss working with the University of Ngozi to include peace in curricula and inspire global leaders, encouraging others to build on this foundation.