Tackling Conflict: A 6-Session Conflict Transformation Workshop Series

Our Sarajevo colleague Mirela and I have been excited to combine many of the individual workshops we have previously facilitated into a workshop series for local Bosnian organizations, religious groups, and local communities. These workshops are very interactive in nature and based on games and interactive activities so that the learning is experiential and collaborative, bubbling up out of the life experiences of participants in the room. Experiential learning is also much more memorable and “sticky,” which helps us reapply such learnings in our everyday lives and relationships.

Together with our good friend and colleague Orhan Hadžagić, we are hosting our first 6-week series in September and October, in addition to running another weekend intensive about the same peacebuilding frameworks and skills.

The themes we’ll be covering include the following, and we have workshop modules that are adaptable for non-religious or religious (Christian, Muslim, or multi-faith) audiences:

Session 1 – CONFLICT AS AN OPPORTUNITY
After exploring attitudes toward conflict, participants will build a basic understanding of conflict dynamics and how conflict can be constructive.
Session 2 – GROUP DYNAMICS & EMPATHY
Through an interactive game, participants tap into their experiences on the margins to build empathy and capacity for when they are mainstream.
Session 3 – IDENTITIES & NARRATIVES
Building off of individual work about our own identities, we will work to understand conflict narratives and their role in shaping our experiences of conflict.
Session 4 – BREAKING CYCLES OF CONFLICT
Through group work and role play in a scenario, participants will explore the steps we can take to interrupt conflict cycles.
Session 5 – HAVING DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS
Participants will build their own awareness about how to navigate difficult conversations and build capacity to do so in their personal relationships.
Session 6 – COLLABORATING FOR CHANGE
By looking at the various roles involved in healing conflicts and working for change, participants will discover their own role and opportunities for partnership.

Want to set up a workshop series for your community?

Contact Bryan (bryan.carey@peacecatalyst.org) or Mirela (mirela.popaja@peacecatalyst.org) for more information

Bryan is Peace Catalyst Director of International Partnerships, based in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 2016 Bryan and his wife Stephanie moved to the Balkan region, where they have been learning alongside and supporting the work of Muslim, Catholic, and Orthodox peacebuilders. Bryan hosts workshops, conducts trainings, and teaches about peace-oriented theology, peacebuilding practices, and how Christian groups can get involved in community peacebuilding. Learn more about Bryan here.

Mirela is Peace Catalyst Program Director in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Born in Sarajevo in the 1980’s, she had a front row seat to the breakup of Yugoslavia and the siege of Sarajevo and is now studying to become a trauma therapist to more effectively address the unengaged trauma in BiH. Learn more about Mirela here.