GSD Students Lead Workshops on Conflict Resolution
10th June 2009
The Geneva School of Diplomacy, together with the Earth Focus Foundation, Graines de Paix and the Centre pour L’Action Non-Violente (former Centre Martin Luther King), was invited for a Conflict Resolution Debate on May 26, 2009, in the International Centre for Conferences in Geneva.
During this all-day event, GSD students from the Bachelor’s Programme and two GSD faculty members facilitated workshops as well as a panel discussion with around 80 High school students from both international and public schools in Geneva.
During the various workshops held in English and French, small groups of High school students learned about the root causes of conflicts and the means and methods that can be employed to constructively address them. Other groups were presented with case studies including Israel-Palestine, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Tibet, and Kashmir. With the assistance of GSD members as well as of the other organizations, the groups successfully analyzed the conflicts and put forth possible solutions.
In the afternoon session, the groups presented their case studies to the plenary and a board of experts, including one GSD faculty member. The event was very successful in not only introducing local youth to the principles of conflict resolution, but also giving them an opportunity to tackle major conflicts the world is currently facing.
