TRAINING & WORKSHOPS: Prevent Violent Conflict by Capacitating Women

Peace Channel in collaboration with Development Association of Nagaland (DAN) conducted one-day seminar on peace building and conflict resolution at Tenephe Village Community Hall, on July 20.

Rev. Fr. CP Anto, director Peace Channel, while addressing the participants as the resources person said that capacitate women for preventing future violent conflict in Nagaland. He explained to the participants the basic concepts like conflict management: any efforts made to contain violent conflict, reduce the levels of violence, or engage parties in a process to settle the conflict; conflict resolution: conflict resolution addresses and resolves that deep-rooted sources of conflict. It often uses a problem solving methodology in order to identify options for addressing the sources of conflict. A newer, related term is conflict transformation.

He spoke on Conflict Transformation: Conflict transformation goes beyond the concept of conflict resolution in that it requires a transformation of the parties, their relationships to each other, and the structural elements that underlie the conflict. These relationships and social structures are often unjust and unequal, and transforming conflict seeks to alter these structures in ways that build a more just society. It is a term that implies a long-term perspective on conflict and its transformation.

He also spoke about the understanding of Peace Building: Peace building represents a way to achieve societal reconciliation. It is important to more that Peace building is a very widely used term, one that differs according to who uses the term and in what context it is used. It is people-centered, relationship-building, and participatory process. Peace building occurs either before violent conflict erupts (a preventive measure), or after violent conflict ends (en effort to rebuild a more peaceful society). He also spoke about the types of conflict and different methods of conflict resolution.

Neli Neli Kriibve, PRO and researcher of the movement, conducted the practical session on dialogue and conflict resolution. Rev. Sr. Sandra did the invocation and Kriebulie Peseyie, Village Chairman of Tenephe, welcomed the gathering. The participants shared their happiness for imparting new knowledge and skills they have never known before. They added the seminar has made them conscious of the lives, and invited for more programs and as an action plan they decided to bring peace among the conflicting groups through dialogue.

The participants were altogether 32 women leaders and village elders. This was stated in a press release issued by Peace Channel Desk.