WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ambassador Ashraf Haidari, Founder and President of Displaced International (DI), and Leyla Mammadli, Co-founder and CEO of the Cultural Diplomacy and Development Foundation (CDDF), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a strategic partnership to advance peacebuilding, cultural diplomacy, conflict resolution, intercultural dialogue, sustainable development, and the empowerment of displaced and vulnerable communities.
The agreement brings together two organizations with complementary missions and a shared commitment to using dialogue, education, culture, advocacy, and inclusive cooperation to address conflict, displacement, social exclusion, and underdevelopment. The partnership reflects DI’s vision and mission of advancing a world in which dialogue, tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and sustainable human security replace war and violence.
Under the MOU, DI and CDDF will pursue joint initiatives benefiting refugees, migrants, internally displaced and stateless persons, women, youth, and other vulnerable communities. Areas of cooperation may include public forums, cultural events, exhibitions, policy dialogues, educational and leadership programs, research, publications, advocacy campaigns, storytelling, and community engagement.
The partnership will combine DI’s displaced-led advocacy, peacebuilding experience, policy expertise, and global networks with CDDF’s work in cultural diplomacy, intercultural dialogue, education, and public engagement.
“This partnership reflects DI’s belief that war, displacement, exclusion, and underdevelopment cannot be addressed by organizations working in isolation,” said Ambassador Haidari. “By bringing together complementary expertise, lived experience, and shared values, we aim to turn dialogue into practical cooperation, cooperation into conflict resolution, and conflict resolution into inclusive, just, and sustainable peace that addresses the root causes of forced displacement.”
The MOU also places particular emphasis on strengthening the participation and leadership of women and young people in peacebuilding, education, development, cultural diplomacy, and displacement-related advocacy. This priority complements CDDF’s efforts to promote women’s leadership and cultural diplomacy.
“Cultural diplomacy helps communities move beyond division, recognize their shared humanity, and build relationships based on mutual respect,” said Mammadli. “Through this partnership, we will connect cultural dialogue with peacebuilding, education, development, and the empowerment of displaced communities.”
The DI–CDDF agreement forms part of Displaced International’s broader strategy of building partnerships with local and global organizations whose missions and goals align with its commitment to peace, human dignity, displaced leadership, conflict resolution, and sustainable human security.
This approach is also reflected in DI’s partnership with Fundación Alianzas Solidarias in Colombia, which established a global-local framework to support displaced and vulnerable communities through humanitarian assistance, advocacy, integration, self-reliance, peacebuilding, and locally led action.
Together, these partnerships demonstrate DI’s commitment to connecting global expertise with local knowledge, lived experience, and community leadership.
“Partnerships are meaningful only when they strengthen communities, expand opportunities, amplify affected voices, and help prevent the conflicts and injustices that drive displacement,” Ambassador Haidari added. “DI will continue working with credible partners that share our values and are prepared to translate common purpose into practical and measurable action.”
About Displaced International
Displaced International is a U.S.-based, displaced-led nonprofit organization assisting and advocating for refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, stateless persons, migrants, and others affected by conflict, climate change, poverty, persecution, and related crises. Its work focuses on advocacy, integration and self-reliance, emergency assistance, complementary pathways, peacebuilding, and sustainable human security.
About CDDF
The Cultural Diplomacy and Development Foundation is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization promoting global understanding, peace, sustainable development, cultural diplomacy, intercultural dialogue, education, research, and community empowerment.
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