Breaking Destructive Cycles: Dialogue and Training Series
In June 2005, CEMPROC and a number of partners initiated a series of training series and open dialogue forums for Colombian and Ecuadorian women who are leaders in their communities. In response to the conflict that is sometimes sparked between the two nationalities due to increased economic competition, crime, public health problems, and xenophobia, the program seeks to provide training in conflict resolution, leadership, human rights, and violence reduction, and to provide a safe space for honest and open dialogue. This project engaged the participants in active learning, empowering them with personal skills and understanding of peaceful conflict resolution techniques as well as providing them with a safe space to develop the leadership skills that they will need to enact peaceful and effective social change through their organizations, communities, families, and social networks. The seven-module training course, taught by specialized professionals from Ecuador, Colombia, and the United States, focused on violence, its origins, and techniques for de-escalation; effective communication; gender perspective on conflict and violence; personal conflict style; negotiation; mediation; and leadership and advocacy as mechanisms for achieving peace and social justice. The project was specifically designed to have impact beyond the immediate participants. In fact, participants were leaders in a variety of civil society formal and informal networks where they will be able to share what they have learned with others, significantly increasing the multiplier effects of the project. The program will have additional multiplier effects through the publication of the results of research that accompanied the program and through ongoing subsequent programs in Quito and other locations.|
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