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AEI-Open Windows News
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Non-Violent Communication Training
7th – 22nd September 2007 |
A group of four
trainers from Germany, Isolde, Duja, Marcus and
Fredrich, who are disciples of Marshal
Rosenberg, came to Bethlehem and volunteered in
giving a training course on non-violent
communication. The AEI Open-Windows had
two-online discussions with them via the Skype
and talked about the aims and the agenda of the
training. They arrived on Friday evening and had
their first meeting with the AEI administration
and staff next day.
The trainers
gave three NVC sessions to the AEI and other
local organizations directors and/ or
representatives, which focused on how to
integrate NVC in the work of these
organizations. On the other hand, the trainers
worked with the AEI high school, postgraduates
and women groups on how to use NVC in their
daily life as a means of conflict resolution.
Further more, the trainers also introduced the
NVC to Al Ruwwad Women's Group at Aida Refugee
Camp in Bethlehem and Artas young girls group,
and in Hebron, where they also gave a-one-day
NVC training and workshop for several
representatives of organizations in that area.
The trainers
also had tours to east and west Jerusalem,
Jericho, town of Bethlehem, Aida refugee camp,
Al Walaja village, where they participated in a
demonstration against the wall, Bethlehem
University, Hebron, and Jericho/ Dead Sea. They
also had meetings with Mr. Abdallah Shakarna –
Director of Ministry of Higher Education Office
in Bethlehem, and participated in a Public
Hearing "Representation of the Palestinian
Identity in the New Palestinian curriculum", and
Iftar meal at the Golden Park Reasort in Beit
Sahour, which was organized jointly between the
AEI-Open Windows and the YMCA Advocacy office in
Beit Sahour.
There were two
evaluation meetings, which were held one after
the first week and the other was held after the
NVC training was over. First of all, the room
where AEI women's group trainings took place
wasn't comfortable. According to Dunja "There
was echo". She added "they were chattering all
the time and that disturbed the training".
Furthermore, working with big groups and in
short period of time was a problem because they
are used to work on smaller number of
participants. Esolde said "the process of
healing old wounds, emotions, hurt needs to
create a safe/ protected space. So we needed
longer time and smaller groups' numbers". Dunja
added "with the university and the post
graduated youth groups we were able to go deeper
with the NVC because they were smaller in
number". Moreover, some of the people go the
concept quickly, other didn't. According to the
trainers, this could be related to language
problems. As the trainers and the trainees
mother tongue language is not English, there
were problems in expressing oneself easily.
However, the trainers enjoyed working with the
two youth groups because they were smaller in
number, some got the concept quickly, and
although the time for each workshop was short,
the participants were able to talk about
personal problems and go deeper with their
sorrows. Moreover, they were able to make a role
play in confronting their enemies. Finally, the
trainers felt that the trainees are motivated
and interested in learning about NVC.
On the other
hand, Mr. Fuad – AEI general director- made
clear his remarks on the following main points;
first of all, it is impossible to choose those
who got the NVC concept and work with them
separately and leave the others. He also made
clear that it is impossible to work on personal
level/ on individual bases with the groups'
members. He also pointed out that the four
trainers could have split the group into four
smaller groups.
Fredrich was
impressed with the openness of the different
groups' members. However, he pointed that the
NVC needs for exercise: "the model is simple but
it is difficult to apply". Fredrich recommended
working with smaller groups, or with those who
want to learn about NVC, because sometimes the
workshops lead to too much discussion because of
the difficult political situation in Palestine,
so he believes that NVC needs self-empathy. He
noticed: "I found it difficult to get into Role
Play. It needs more attention".
Dunja on the
other hand, said that the youths and women
inspired her with their openness and their
steadfastness (Sumud). She cried and said: "I
love working with youths, they brought me back
to life"
Dr. Abd El
Fattah gave his remarks on the NVC. He thought
that the training is important and interesting
however; he questioned how NVC could be
implemented. He recommended more time and depth
to have a successful training.
Anton expressed
his satisfaction with the NVC and said: "I have
already started practicing NVC in my daily life
situations on personal and professional levels."
The evaluation
went beyond evaluating this training to planning
for future cooperation. Dunja and Eolde said
that they would try to come back again because
they were enriched from this experience and they
learnt a lot. So both AEI and these four
trainers thought about how they can improve this
experience in the future and have cooperation
between AEI-Open Windows and NVC trainers. The
first step n the follow-up was to start and
continue the training on NVC in the AEI and to
integrate it in the AEI work. Mr. Fuad proposed
to have more trainers come in the summer when
the AEI would have the yearly Summer School of
Communication. The NVC trainers found this
proposal interesting that they decided to talk
about this to their fellow trainers. It is
important to point out that both were aware of
the financial problem as an obstacle for any
future cooperation.
Bellow are some
quotes by the AEI women's group members:
Laurette: "It
was very good training, but still I believe that
it depends on the person character whether he/
she is calm or aggressive"
Claire: "we
learnt many things. They taught us how to deal
with others in situations of crisis and to think
before we cat."
Jala: "the four
steps in NVC are not strange for us. We already
knew them, but they reminded us with them and
gave us practical ways to deal with our family
members first of all and on then on broader
level."
Jizelle: "I have
learnt how to deal with big problems and how to
be patient in listening"
Mira: "I learnt
how to respect other people's opinions when they
differ from mine, and not to force to change
them."
Antoinette: "Now
when I have a problem or misunderstanding with
others. I put myself in the shoe of the other,
and I sak myself hwy he/ she is doing this."
Silvana: "They
touched our heart with the inner peace they
have. We shared personal experences..we felt
with one another….this method was very good. I
am convinced now that when I have inner peace I
can reflect it on others."
Gloria: "I have
realized the fact that when talking with others
calmly and softly, we can reach to an agreement.
However, with talks with nervousness can lead to
fights. Now I use NVC with my youngest son and
it worked very well."
Judith: "I have
learnt not to blame others but to feel and
understand their feelings and needs."
Claire:
"frankly, it wasn't enough, we needed more.
Actually we need it more for our children."
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