Peace Channel holds leadership training on peace building, conflict resolution

Dimapur, Jan. 31 (EMN): Peace Channel organised a two-day leadership training programme to capacitate the animators and volunteers on the modules of Peace Channel and to identify and enhance skills needed for peace building and conflict transformation.

The training was held on January 28 and 29 on the theme ‘Leadership training in Peace Building and Conflict Resolution’.

Dr. Fr. C P Anto Paul, Director, Peace Channel exhorted on the dire need of peace building in Naga society and encouraged the participants to broaden one’s horizon, to be willing to constantly learn, unlearn and relearn to reinvent oneself for the betterment of society, an update read.

Toviholi Y Yepthomi, Dimapur District Coordinator spoke on the formation of Peace Club among children in schools and localities. Yepthomi shared that through the strategies of capacity building and peace celebration, the children are provided with an inclusive, safe, confidential space to explore, experience, and celebrate life, diversity, values and principles from one another.

‘Club members are empowered and capacitated to solve conflicts that are observed, experienced and shared by the group. They also partake in activities that are strategically and systematically developed that help impart peace building skills such as peace table, relationship building, conflict handling and life skills. Eventually making the educational institutions a place of peace,’ it added.

Manpang Nyiam, Kohima District Coordinator meanwhile presented on the formation of Peer Mediation Forum among the youths in college, universities, and localities.

Nyiam shared that forum members are trained on peer mediation — a tool for conflict handling by youth with youth.

“It is a structured, interactive process where a trained neutral third party (peer mediator) assists disputing parties in resolving conflict through the use of specialised communication. The members are also capacitated on various peace building skills such as leadership, communication, creative and critical thinking ability, fund-raising, and networking skills. Eventually empowering the members to educate his/her friends individually or in a group to develop a greater understanding of any conflicting situations present on the campus or health and development issues that bring positive behavior change,” it informed.

Peace forums are the backbone of peace club and peer mediation Forum, Kaka Teresa stated.

Kanoho, Zunheboto District Coordinator, delivered a session on peace games, a holistic approach that does not discriminate rather promotes inclusivity of all irrespective of age, gender, status, tribe, religion, etc. The training concluded with practicum on the modules and evaluation, while the training was attended by 13 participants.