In this episode of the Peacebuilder Podcast, host Diego Crespo sits down with Jacob Sankara to reflect on his journey from Burkina Faso to the field of peacebuilding, shaped by a deep desire to amplify the voices of those often excluded from decision-making.
Jacob shares how growing up in Burkina Faso, where women and children were often left out of societal power structures, initially led him to pursue law as a way to advocate for justice. However, after becoming disillusioned by the gap between what legal leaders preached and practiced, he began searching for a different path, one rooted in authenticity and service.
That shift took him to the United States through the Mennonite Central Committee, where his work with the Conflict Center in Denver introduced him to peacebuilding as a practice grounded in community, restoration, and transformation. He later continued this work as a peacebuilding coordinator in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for five years, before coming to the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding (CJP) to deepen his understanding of the field.
Throughout the conversation, Jacob reflects on the importance of self-discovery in peacebuilding—highlighting programs like STAR and classes such as Formations as pivotal in helping him understand his identity, values, and purpose.
Looking ahead, his goal is clear: to be present where the need is greatest, serving as a voice and support system for communities that are often unheard, guided by faith and a commitment to meaningful, people-centered change.