Conflict is all around us. Conflict, if well managed, can be beneficial. If violent it is a waste of human life and unrealized potential. It derives from ignorance, fear and a lack of skill to avoid it. 9/11 has taught us that in our interconnected and dynamic world it spills over, no matter where you are it is inescapable.
V-NeP© teaches the skills needed to overcome the ignorance and fear. It provides a unique non-combative tool to counter the dynamics that lead to terrorism.
The input of V-NeP is a conflict situation.
The output is a win-win solution.
V-NeP allows people to learn in an entertaining way through real time and a-synchronous computer simulations about the intricacies of international relations and conflict resolution. It enhances the participants’ capacity to negotiate their own real life conflicts and those that their community is involved with. The 78-year experience of IWA (Institute of World Affairs) and its extended network of partners worldwide will help to build the expert system made of rules for conflict resolution and inter-cultural differences. The digital wise guide is a dynamic personalized interface providing information from various sources that is relevant for each player based on his profile, his language, background, dynamic context modified by the expert system.
We are in the process
of searching for funds in the framework of the European Community and other
institutions. Some basic pilots have been implemented involving the establishment
of a Virtual Community, online moderators from Rheingold
Associates and communities that are in conflict.
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VCRL library will make available to activists, teachers, community
workers and anyone who is interested via
the World Wide Web a comprehensive resource of activities, curricula, projects,
information, conflict resolution, arbitration or negotiation techniques in a
multi-lingual format. Educators and activists world wide will be able to
add on from their experience utilizing “best practice” multiplication and
create a virtual meeting house to discuss relevant issues.
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The Youth Institute
is an international youth leadership development program, active in Germany, Israel, Palestine, Cyprus
and Northern Ireland. Part of EXPO 2000. Funded by the European Commission.
The goal of the Youth Institute is to provide the tools, environment and practical
experience required to develop a cadre of young leaders who will be involved
in bi-communal projects. The
Youth Institute trains and supports these leaders fostering positive, on-going
intercommunal ties between the various participants. Advisers come from all
participating communities and specialists from England and the USA. See article:
"Focus
on People to People: “The Youth Institute” and Testimonies
from participants
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Regional
Youth Council project consists of creating a joint Israeli Palestinian youth
council that main purpose will be to create a network using Information Technology
allowing activist in both communities to exchange information in times of conflict
and to develop joint activities for youth. This council will include other communities
from Mediterranean countries. This is a joint project initiated by Leo LaGrange
organization of France< IWA and the Yaari Association.
This project is designed to create linkages between youth organizations in Israel
and Palestine (and, eventually, draw in youth from Jordan, Egypt and other Arab
states) that will work together to advance mutual understanding through a regularized
network of communication and the development of cooperative ventures.
The key objective of the project is to build trust and mutual understanding
which is important not only to the peace process but also to preventing conflict
from escalating during periods of crisis.
The organic farming and marketing training center will provide
training in the organic farming and marketing of the produce. Through this project
we will set up the Palestinian organic farmers cooperative ill it reaches maturity
as a recognized organic certifier. We will setup and teach household and neighborhood
sewage treatment units. These units
will utilize a combination of gravitational separation, constructed wetlands
and wormfarm, vermiculture unit. We will also utilize subsurface irrigation
techniques. The byproducts of theses systems are numerous and generate secondary
income, thus making the project sustainable. A wide range of international consultants
have already agreed to participate in this project.
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German project that has been going on for ten years. (more later)
Mexico:
Development of peace initiative projects between the Mexican Senate and the
Chiapas Indians. Commissioned by the Mexican Senate Committee for Pacification.
Philippines:
Commissioned by the President Office
Many of the salient issues at hand within the communities in conflict have a
strong religious and symbolic aspect. Therefore we have found it necessary to
deal with these issues directly. Within the Youth Institute framework we seek
to sensitize a group of young leaders who will be able to deal effectively
with these issues within the larger framework. Since the deserts of the Middle
East are the birthplace of Christianity, Islam and Judaism we will hold a seminar
that will take place in the desert. The Desert Seminar is based on the
recognition of the effect of the physical environment on a society's
culture, religion and symbols.
We held a joint seminar for a group of young leaders from the communities that revolved around the issues of religion and symbols. This seminar was and will be held in the desert in Israel and will be led by religious leaders from the different faiths, academic experts in the field of comparative religion, conflict resolution professionals and experts in the field of outdoor challenges and non-formal education. The graduates of this seminar will join the young leaders who participated in the conflict resolution seminars, to "round out" the approach to understanding and changing intercommunal relations.
The week long outdoor seminar will deal with three issues:
1. The Environmental Journey- the effect of the
environment on culture and religion.
2. The Spiritual Journey - an investigation of
religion, culture, ritual, symbols and theology.
3. The Personal Journey - personal exploration
of religious and cultural values.
The methodology used will be:
1. Study groups: to explore the different religions
and their relationships to the environment.
2. Outdoor group challenges: to create a sense
of group cohesion and interdependence.
3. Personal challenges in a group setting: to
introspect about individual position in regard to the material and within
the group.
4. Personal challenges in a private setting: to
facilitate the receptivity of the participants to the subject matter and to
each other.
5. Role playing and simulation activities: to
facilitate participants simulation of life in the desert, to better understand
it's ethical impact.
6. Group and camp maintenance; to heighten cultural
sensitivity.
A second seminar will be held in Germany that will deal with issues regarding the development of the Protestant movement and Reform Judaism . This will be held with the support of German academics and religious leaders.