Report On Training Workshop on Systemic Conflict Transformation

Organised by National Network of Peace Communicators (NNPC) and Friedrich- Ebert -Stiftung (FES)

8-10 July 2006, Chitwan

A group of peace communicators has established 'a loose network' to contribute to the peace building efforts in the country that has witnessed a spiral of violence, killings and damage to property over the past ten years.

The members of this forum called 'National Network of Peace Communicators' (NNPC) include academicians, researchers, trade unionists, journalists, and representatives of civil society organizations with various expertises' in their respective fields of work.

The idea of forming the network germinated at a training program on "Systemic Conflict Transformation for Peace Communicators." organized by Friedrich- Ebert- Stiftung (FES) Nepal, country office of a Germany based largest Political foundation, INGO. The most remarkable feature of this network is that beside FES as an umbrella providing venue for meetings, materials and snacks, it is working without a fixed office building and without being registered as an NGO, which makes it a truly voluntary organization.

The network has identified several areas of work, such as public awareness on peace education, peace research and publication of peace related materials, peace volunteer training, capacity building activities of citizens at grassroots level, interactions of local civil society members, relief support, etc

Objective of the network

• To enhance and promote regular sharing among peace communicators.
  
• To provide space of learning, sharing and networking for peace communicators.

Introduction of Training Committee workshop

To promote the objectives of the NNPC, the committee had divided the group basically into three: Research, Training and Publication.

As per NNPC objectives, training committee decided to organize pilot training on systemic conflict transformation training workshop in the two areas; Janakpur and Nepalganj (as the participants of FES training were from that location). Later it was again decided to conduct training/workshop in Chitwan. NNPC organized three days training workshop. The training workshop aims to help to enhance and promote regular sharing peace to others and organized similar program to provide space of learning, sharing and networking at Chitwan area. It was the first training were conflict and psychology was introduced at the same time.

Mr Krishna Pokharel, a lawyer and President of Community Law Research Centre from Chitwan was the local coordinator to coordinate necessary arrangement and to select participate from diverse group.

Facilitators were:
Ms. Kamala Parajuli
Ms. Chetana Lokshum
Ms. Gauri Malakar

Mrs. Kamala Parajuli, Mrs Chetana Lokshum and Ms Gauri Malakar went to Bharatpur on July 7, 2006, Friday. In the evening, they met with Mr. Pokharel and discussed on the list of participants and the arrangement. Mr. Pokharel informed that the participants will arrive by 7.30 a.m. in the morning. Hence the facilitators decided to start session from 8.30 am to 4.00 pm in the following day ie. July 8, 2006, Saturday.

FES provided breakfast, lunch, transportation charge and training materials to participants. Each day's session were divided into three parts.

Objectives of training workshop

• To discuss and understand on concept and impact of conflict and peace
  
• To find out the ways of conflict transformation.
  
• To analysis and realize negative aspect of conflict.
  
• To find out psychosocial impact from conflict and the ways to manage it
  
• To discuss the role of communication on peace process.

Methodology

• Participatory method was maximum used that followed with group discussion, group exercise, case study presentation, experience sharing, game.
• Lecture

Types of Participants:

Participants varied in 24 and the group is heterogeneous having different background i.e political leaders from different parties including Maoist, teacher, student, lawyer, victims from both side (Maoist and government), retried government service-holder, social worker. The participants were co-operative, supportive, creative and enthusiastic to learn and eager to translate learning into action in pragmatic way.

Gender - 16 male, 8 female

Training Content:

Day 1
First session was started by welcoming all the participants. Session started with the introduction of the participants from exciting game with icebreaking question. Participants were asked to find their partners by giving a small piece of paper with single alphabets where various names of animals and birds were written. After finding their pair, they were asked to introduce their partner with each other with following answers:

Name Address education
Any secret Before training on conflict transformation or not

Certain rules and norms were set for the workshop by the participants that included punctuality, no whispering, waiting for the turn to speak, raise hand to speak, respecting each other, or mobile is to switched off or to put on vibration. Three participants were made to take the responsibility, evaluate and to introduce icebreaking exercises. Expectation by the participants and the objective was presented by the facilitator. The session was conducted by Ms. Gauri Malakar

Second session was on conflict, types of conflict and the reason of conflict. The session was both participatory, lecture and case references. It was interesting for the participants to know conflict from the psychological point of view. The session was conducted by Ms. Chetana Lokshum.

Third session followed the impact of conflict. The session was lively with discussion. Participants were divided into three groups to analysis impact of the conflict. Later it was presented by the participants. The session was conducted by Ms. Kamala Parajuli.

Day 2
The day started with the challenges in conflict transformation. Session was followed by asking the victims of conflict to tell their stories. The moment was very emotional because they were crying and the story was very touchy. The victims were from both the Maoist and Government side. Then the challenges to transform conflict session were conducted. The session was conducted by Ms. Kamala Parajuli.

Second session was on peace. The session was both participatory and lecture. Group was asked what they understand by peace, its types, facilitator discussed on obstacles of peace process, promoters of peace, difference between peace promoters and conflict promoters, win- win approach. The session was conducted by Ms. Gauri Malakar.

*Since the first session took longer than expected, third session Understanding Psychological issues in the context of conflict was decided to conduct in the following day.

Day 3
Third day session started with psychosocial issue. Participants were asked what they understand by psychosocial, the problem and it affects in our daily life. The method was both participatory and lecture with case references. It was sad to say that the role of communication was not been able to conduct because of the time constrain. The session was conducted by Ms. Chetana Lokshum.

In the second session networking team was formed where nine-member with the chairperson as Bishnu Ghimire was peace networking committee was form.

A very informal closing program was organized to close the ongoing training workshop. All participants shared their view and experience about the training workshop and the objective fulfilled. At the same time participants filled the evaluation form and handed over to the facilitators. The training was concluded by the group photo session.

What participants have learned?
As the country has faced conflict and is in the process of peace establishment, workshops like conflict transformation helps people to understand better conflict situation from a holistic point of view. The evaluation sheets from the participants' shows that the topics were very much relevant in the context of peace building and at the same time, they have come to realize their important role in the process of systemic constellation.

Have objective been realized?
Yes

Best Moments -
Participants were highly educated from various background (political), they participate all sessions with full interest and no debates.
Participants were satisfied with the training objective.

Outcome of the workshop/training
One of the beauties of the workshop is the formation of nine members of peace network committee among the participants.

Lesson learned
1) There should be regular follow-up and clear instruction to the Local Coordinator.
2) Local Coordinator should be a person who can give time in the workshop.
3) Needs modification in the training content.