Irene Turner

A native of the Democratic Republic of Congo and civil society actor, Irene witnessed the atrocities and violent conflict that occurred the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1996-2004. Irene has firsthand experience with victims of sexual violence. The disheartening experience, stemming from violent conflict and working with victims of sexual violence, led Irene to inquire and educate herself about conflict and violence. With a different understanding and insights that sprung from studying conflict, violence, and peacebuilding, Irene has developed an expert knowledge about the intertwined violent conflicts in the African Great Lakes region, i.e. Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In various capacities, Irene has worked in the Great Lakes region, Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo on peacebuilding programs for several International IGOs and NGOs including Care International USA, United Nations Development Program, Women Thrive Worldwide, Eastern Congo Initiative, Inter-Church Organization for Development and Cooperation (ICCO), Norwegian Church Aid, Peace Direct and the Diana Jenkins Human Right Center\ Restore the Villages Project - University of California Los Angeles.

Irene has earned a Master degree in Conflict Analysis and Transformation from Eastern Mennonite University, Virginia. As a Ph. D. Candidate at the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, Irene’s research focuses on issues of intellectuals, leadership and collective memory in the Congo. Her dissertation explores the influence of the late Archbishop Christophe Munzihirhwa Mwene Ngabo on the dynamics of conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Irene is fluent in French and Swahili. Irene speaks basic Kinyarwanda/Kirundi and intermediate Lingala. Irene is a mother, a spouse and a strong advocate for sustainable peace in the African Great Lakes region.