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Special Report |
LAST UPDATE July 12, 2005
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| site design imagesparkle.com |
| July 10, 2003 |
Introduction and Transcend Workshops – Global University |
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| GU students leading the Transcend seminar on conflict resolution |
Global University is an intensive peace studies programme that combines study onboard with exposure programmes in selected regions that the ship visits. As well as providing participants with the skills and insight necessary to play an active role in peace building at a grass roots level, a specific part of Peace Boat's Global University, known as the International Students' (IS) Programme, aims to increase access to peace education for young people from conflict regions around the world.
The 15 participants enrolled in the programme on the current voyage range from 20 to 60 years old, and many look to be involved in community based civil society work in the future. Studying almost everyday, classes at present include English, Cultural Studies and Peace Journalism. Students recently presented what they had learnt from attending workshops on the Transcend method of conflict transformation - a non-violent and creative approach to achieve peace.
For more information see – www.transcend.org |
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| Students of the GU programme with Indian Transcend teacher, Kumar |
The GU students gave an interactive seminar on practical applications of the Transcend theory by setting a series of problems to be solved by teams of participants. The groups were encouraged to analyze their problems by collecting the opinions of their members and creating solutions where all parties win. Conundrums included a tour group of 10 people in a port of call, with one member insisting on eating food at a Japanese restaurant.
Approaching the situation by engaging in meaningful dialogue before deciding on solutions meant better understanding the problem - suggestions offered were: Find out why the person wanted Japanese food? Were they homesick, and how could the rest of the group help? Why don't they visit a restaurant that serves different kinds of food? And, finally, the solution that would keep with the Transcend theory of there being no 'losers' - find take-out food from a Japanese restaurant for one person, leaving the others to buy what food they wanted, and all have a picnic together. By ensuring all parties 'win', the conflict is transformed. The Transcend theory has been used by peace workers throughout the world, and has been employed in the mediation of many major conflicts over the past four decades. |
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