Kafenia was founded on the belief that cross-cultural friendships are one of the most powerful antidotes to othering and hatred. For seven years, we have brought people together across 4 continents, multiple countries, languages and religious traditions to share culture, cuisine, music, dance, stories, ideas, and beliefs in settings that encourage us to see each other as friends and partners in what we call deep peacebuilding.
High-level conflict resolution is essential for global peace and cooperation, but it’s not enough. We need to build cultures of peace, interconnection, and understanding that thrive despite differences and disruptions. It’s what we call deep peacebuilding - celebrating our diversity but recognizing that our common humanity is stronger.
Our model of deep peacebuilding is inspired by the Greek spirit of philoxenia. We blend pleasure with civic engagement much like the ancient symposia and the kafenio.
High-level conflict resolution is essential for global peace and cooperation, but it’s not enough. We need to build cultures of peace, interconnection, and understanding that thrive despite differences and disruptions. It’s what we call deep peacebuilding - celebrating our diversity but recognizing that our common humanity is stronger.
Our model of deep peacebuilding is inspired by the Greek spirit of philoxenia. We blend pleasure with civic engagement much like the ancient symposia and the kafenio.
Kafenia Board
Mary Jane Marcus, MSW, Founder of Kafenia Peace Collective.
Lisa Petrides, Ph.D. is founder and CEO of ISKME, an independent, education nonprofit established in 2002, and a pioneer in knowledge sharing and innovation in the education sector who works around the world. She also plays the baglamas.
Meg Cristofalo, Ph.D. is a Professor, School of Social Work, Seattle University. She is a health services researcher interested in the translation and implementation of evidence-based practices to safety net health and mental health settings. She is interested in culture, ritual and social healing.
Lisa Craig, is based in Australia and Palo Alto, and is a social justice community organizer and mentor with roots in Oklahoma and the Scotch-Irish. She was a senior executive in telecom and finance as well.
Georgia Tsigaris, has extensive experience in the food sector. She was the CFO of a food distributor, and has deep understanding of Greek food & traditions.
Lisa Petrides, Ph.D. is founder and CEO of ISKME, an independent, education nonprofit established in 2002, and a pioneer in knowledge sharing and innovation in the education sector who works around the world. She also plays the baglamas.
Meg Cristofalo, Ph.D. is a Professor, School of Social Work, Seattle University. She is a health services researcher interested in the translation and implementation of evidence-based practices to safety net health and mental health settings. She is interested in culture, ritual and social healing.
Lisa Craig, is based in Australia and Palo Alto, and is a social justice community organizer and mentor with roots in Oklahoma and the Scotch-Irish. She was a senior executive in telecom and finance as well.
Georgia Tsigaris, has extensive experience in the food sector. She was the CFO of a food distributor, and has deep understanding of Greek food & traditions.