The programme of the first day focused on capacity-building and leadership skills for the youth delegates. Particlulary interesting was the session on Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation that I attended on behalf of Switzerland. Delegates shared their inspiring and moving experiences with Forest Whitaker (UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and Academy Award Winner). At the end, we built together the way for a peacefuller society, summed up in the 4 following Peacebuilding principles:
- Words are power. Never underestimate the impact of what you say or don’t say
- Never take it Personally. When we take an offense or even a compliment personally, we are not free. We become hostages of someone else’s poison and make it all about us. Let’s not be selfish, let’s not make it personal
- Don’t make assumptions. Our biggest mistake is to make assumptions and turn them into truth, which then falsely becomes reality. Always ask questions about preconceived ideas
- Always do your best. When we do our best, we learn to accept ourselves and learn the lessons more easily. Leading is about doing the best with what you have.
And as a Final thought, a very interesting vision resulted of our discussion. We often hear that conflict is our nature. Well here this conception was challenged and replaced by “Peace is our nature, conflict is our illusion”.
On this last one, would love to have your comments !
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Posted in: General Information
Daniel Mettle
October 24, 2011
Great one there you have really inspired me today. May God increase you in wisdom and knowledge to inspire the youth.
Daniel Mettle
October 25, 2011
l am in love the the four peace building principles. It is well thought of and applicable in our daily living and relationship with others both those we know and those we do not know.
1. Words are power:
we should be mindful of what we say to others whether serious or not. Because every person has their own meaningful picture of the world.
2. Never take it Personally:
We are bound to encounter so many negative moments which may end us up either hating and fighting one another all the time. Despite our bad we may be offended, we should we the phlegmatic temperament to let go and give your wold a new color to be cherished by all to let peace prevail.
3. Don’t make assumptions:
Be precise as a person on all your claims in other to make them authentic when you are called upon to give evidence to them. Ear say is not taken seriously and since it has no root or foundation to build on.
4. Always do your best:
To achieve excellence in life is not monitored to do what is accepted but doing the right thing when/if not been supervised by anyone. Or one just obeying the laws of their country in the presence of law enforcers but doing so without their presence.
These principles are the keys to unlock the door to the world freedom.
email: donmettle20@yahoo.com