CESCI’s role in networking goes beyond providing space; it actively fosters collective thinking, mutual learning, and shared visioning for social change. By connecting diverse movements at different levels that are working on land rights, peace-building, gender equity, ecological sustainability, and nonviolence, CESCI is a hub of networking.

From its inception, CESCI Madurai has been taking on networking at diffeent levels: firstly, at the local level, secondly, across the states of South India, thirdly, nationally and fourthly, internationally. One of the common cross-cutting themes at each level, has been the dignity of marginalized communities, and the need for “bottom-up” development.

Local Networking: Over the years, CESCI has nurtured strong networks among local groups whether that included villagers, social enterprises, college and school students, development groups, self-help groups and so forth. One of the main contributions to the network is to share the work of the learning centres in the 13 villages adjacent to CESCI.

South India Networking: Significant networking has occurred between groups working on land and livelihood issues. Additionally on nonviolent economy, twenty groups were identified across the region and then various initiatives were supported such as the Nonviolent Market (Ahimsa Santhai). Peace clubs and Shanti Sena has also been promoted through Gandhian and other civil society groups in South India.

National Networking: Through interactions with CESCI, Ekta Parishad and other like-minded organizations have created various platforms for dialogue, collaboration, and joint action. CESCI support has included leadership trainings, intercultural exchanges, youth camps, and strategy workshops. One of the intiatives has been Peacebuilders Forum India. This has been a network of peacebuilders from across the country, each doing unique work. When they come together, they work on joint projects.

International Networking: Numerous programs have taken place through CESCI including some of the campaign work of the Jai Jagat 2020. This involved international conferences respectively on youth and women as well as the march to Geneval in 2019 and 2020. There has been considerable followup in networking with peace groups in South Asia, in Europe and North America. At present one of the main programs is P-7 (PEACE 7), an effort to embolden the civil society for peace initiatives in seven countries across the globe. These are efforts to bring civil society groups together to support each other and build bridges of solidarity across borders.

In these ways, CESCI continues to live its mission as a centre for justice and peace, empowering communities and movements to work together towards a world rooted in equality, solidarity, and nonviolent transformation.