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| Training participants in front of the Chiang Mai YMCA |
In November 2012 we gathered 25 peacemakers from across Asia for a Training of Conflict Transformation Trainers held at the YMCA in Chiang Mai, Thailand. We had people from 8 countries: India, Thailand, Myanmar/Burma, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Kyrgyzstan. Some were educators teaching peace studies, some were grassroots activists, some human rights activists, some pastors, some church executives, and some missionaries. We had various Christians and one Hindu in the group.
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| A "people sculpture" about peace |
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| Exploring different types of nonviolent action |
Together utilizing experiential education methodologies and often Bible studies we explored the topics of conflict analysis, personal conflict styles, conflict resolution, mediation, dealing with diversity in conflict (mainstream and margins), power dynamics, nonviolence, developing campaigns and strategies for change, trauma healing, reconciliation, the principles and tools of experiential education, and spirituality to sustain oneself for the long haul.
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| The "elephant game" exercise was particularly challenging! |
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| In the "mattress exercise" participants had intense discussions about strategies to undo aspects of oppression |
The training was very intense, some days going from 9 in the morning to 9 at night. But we could deal with the intensity because of the variety of tools, experiential exercises, high energy engagement by the participants, and a passion to take something of great value back into the conflicts at home.
