30 April 2014 – Amman, Jordan: Today marks the conclusion of the Generations For Peace Refresher Workshop, hosted at the organisation’s headquarters in Jordan. Over the course of five intensive days, the workshop brought together 28 volunteer leaders of youth from Afghanistan, Ghana, Iraq, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.
The training strengthened the participants’ capacity and existing knowledge, updating them on developments in Generations For Peace’s unique peace-building curriculum and methodologies for conflict analysis, programme design, monitoring and evaluation. The dynamic sessions included practice in using sport and art-based activities for conflict transformation. The training reflects the ongoing investment which Generations For Peace makes in its volunteers, ensuring they are fully equipped to continue with their local programmes when they return home.
Commenting on the highlights of the Refresher Workshop, Osman Aligo, a Delegate from South Sudan, said: “The Sport For Peace sessions foster acceptance, responsibility and trust, all of which motivate us to work together to achieve our mutual goal of peace building. Throughout the week the facilitators provided great examples and explanations that relate to our own personal experiences, enabling us to learn faster.”
Outlining her future plans, Jane Peters, a Delegate from Sierra Leone, said: “I hope to focus on Art For Peace, using music as a tool to encourage participation amongst youth. Female singers are often portrayed negatively in my community and I want to change these perceptions. In addition, I hope to employ music as a means to unite boys from various schools that are currently in conflict with one another. I truly believe music can help to bridge the gap between social divides – step by step.”
HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, Founder and Chairman of Generations For Peace, emphasised the importance of this unique training: “As an organisation we recognise the need to continuously support our volunteers. Workshops of this kind allow our volunteers to explore topics they are already familiar with, helping to enhance their skills in peace building and conflict transformation. In recent times our unique curriculum has undergone vast changes, and providing training in these developments is of great importance so our inspirational volunteers can achieve even more in their own communities.”
The workshop is supported by Generations For Peace’s partners including the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Jordan Olympic Committee, Samsung Electronics Levant, Orange, DHL Express, and Corp Hotel.
