Guided by the motto that young people are the cornerstone of the present and the future, the Grassroots Conflict Transformation training brought together 25 young leaders from Vienna, with diverse intercultural backgrounds and disciplines, from 19 to 25 August 2021. This week-long capacity-building training helped young people become active changemakers and multipliers in their communities. It was part of the local pilot project ENGAGEMENT 1.0: Building a Sense of Initiative and Intervention.
What participants learned
Participants learned new skills, methods and tools for conflict transformation and social peacebuilding, how to engage in civil society, and how the framework of visible and invisible violence can guide them towards viable solutions. They also learned to analyse social issues in their communities and to plan projects for local change.
The training opened with participants defining and discussing concepts such as conflict, violence, peace and solidarity, followed by theoretical input on visible and invisible violence. As the days went on, conversations turned to culture, conflict definitions and analysis models. Educational games had a particularly strong effect, letting participants experience communication as a core conflict transformation tool.
From ideas to initiatives
The last days were about designing their own initiatives. Participants chose a local issue, formed small groups and started project planning, including how to apply for funding through a Solidarity Project. After the training, the EMOTiC team kept supporting the groups. Their follow-up initiatives, all still running when this report was written, were:
- A podcast on youth mental health
- A networking event for young women
- A photo competition that promotes diversity
Beyond new knowledge, participants bonded strongly over seven intense days. Openness, respect for others' views and the diversity of cultures, languages, genders and backgrounds made the training even richer.
"Bringing together different cultures and people from various backgrounds gave us great opportunities to connect with each other and share our experiences. This training definitely widened my horizon."Anja Münzer
