Narrative justice goes beyond documenting events. It asks whose voices shape the truth, whose perspectives are elevated, and whose realities remain invisible. Despite the scale and impact of the crisis in the DRC, global narratives often flatten complexity, focus on dramatic moments, or overlook the lived experience of communities. Meanwhile, misinformation and hate speech continue to fuel tensions on the ground.

How do journalists and local media work to counter these dynamics? And how do diplomats interpret and act upon these competing narratives when designing policies or engaging in international cooperation?

We’ll be joined by two speakers bringing complementary perspectives on narrative power:

– Gilles Magnin : Program Manager at Fondation Hirondelle. Gilles oversees initiatives that strengthen access to reliable information, support local media, counter misinformation, and promote narrative justice in fragile contexts.

– A Swiss diplomat at the FDFA, with one year of field experience in the DRC. She brings a diplomatic perspective on how narratives from the ground shape Switzerland’s understanding of the conflict and how these stories can influence cooperation priorities, human rights engagement, and international decision-making in Geneva.

Together, we’ll discuss:

– How local perspectives and community-based media shape public understanding of the conflict, and why these narratives matter.

– How misinformation and global media dynamics distort the crisis, and what can be done to restore balance.

– How narratives influence diplomatic decisions, priorities, and the international community’s response to the DRC.

– What “narrative justice” could look like and what it means to give people the power to tell their own story.

Join us for an evening of exchange, ideas, and open conversation, and, as always, the first drink is on us