Sibanesenkhosi P. Dlamini, popularly known as "Barnes," is an Electrical Engineer by profession. He worked in the sugar industry for 21 years and eventually retired to focus on the family business. At university, he majored in electronics and instrumentation and also enrolled in a course on labor law and industrial relations. Mr. Dlamini is the founding President of the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland. Currently, he holds the position of Chairperson at the Institute for Democracy and Leadership (IDEAL), an organization primarily focusing on promoting democracy within various organizations and in the broader national sphere. IDEAL is part of the multi-stakeholder forum in Eswatini, comprising non-governmental organizations, community representatives and political parties.

IVLP Impact Award Project: Democracy, Pluralism and Constitutionalism

The project brought together 3,025 community members of diverse thinking and ideologies, creating a platform for them to speak and engage peacefully towards a process of healing and positive transformation. Thousands of people participated in a series of 19 community dialogues that included a diverse array of meetings, including committee planning meetings, region-specific meetings and chiefdom-specific community dialogues. The project encouraged a healing process and trust building among diverse stakeholders by introducing people to new ways of discussing and listening to each other.

"In meeting the various dignitaries in our visit to the United States, l learned that real positive outcomes come from little round table engagements. That really inspired my thinking on the present project. " - Sibanesenkhosi P. Dlamini

IVLP Exchange Experience 

Barnes participated in the IVLP Project Preparation for National Dialogue in Eswatini, organized by the U.S. Department of State and Meridian International Center, in partnership with World Affairs Council - Seattle.

U.S. Communities Visited

Washington, DC; Seattle, WA

"Fear results in total silence, which is falsely perceived to be peace, yet real peace is a product of serious engagement on pertinent issues." - Sibanesenkhosi P. Dlamini

Country: Eswatini

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