Learning opportunities within Peace Fellowship
Life is a constant journey of learning, with each experience teaching us valuable lessons. Whether we’re navigating personal challenges or engaging with the world around us, the opportunities to grow and learn are endless. Within the Peace Fellowship project, we believe that we embodied this spirit of continuous learning, offering 33 Peace Fellows a transformative journey to become everyday peacebuilders and advocates.
Our learning adventure began with the first training course, “Transforming Conflicts — Building Communities,” which took place from March 26 to April 2, 2023, in the small town of Falkensee in Germany. This week-long experience focused on the art of conflict transformation. Participants were offered space where they could learn about understanding peace, non-violence, conflict transformation, peacebuilding, and human rights, learning how these concepts are interconnected.
One of the highlights was definitely connecting human rights education with non-violent conflict transformation. Fellows worked together to develop a competency framework for peace education, which became a cornerstone of their learning and our project as well. Through community and conflict mapping exercises, they gained insights into local issues and shared their unique perspectives on violence and conflict. Finally, we are positive that the training strengthened their skills in non-violent communication, active listening, and empathy, setting the stage for future local initiatives.
“It was a beautiful week overall. I am leaving the course with lots of inspiration, ideas, and connections,” one participant reflected.
In addition to the in-person training, the Peace Fellowship project provided an online platform with eight learning modules. These modules covered essential topics such as peacebuilding tools, values for peace education, mapping local realities, project management, Erasmus opportunities, and self-care. This e-learning component allowed participants to continue their education at their own pace, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of peacebuilding principles.
Still, the in-person learning didn’t stop. Moreover, it continued with the second training, “Peace Advocacy,” held from November 9–16, 2023, in Teremiski, Poland. This training aimed to empower our fellows in peacebuilding by equipping them with crucial advocacy skills. As soon as they arrived, participants felt really welcomed and in a very safe space. They immediately started with understanding peace advocacy and learned from real-life examples that could inspire actions in their own communities. They revisited the competency framework for peace education and engaged in mapping exercises, planning at least one local activity in each partner country.
Finally, the learning didn't stop in Teremiski. The project organized 21 local workshops within each national cohort. These workshops were tailored to address issues relevant to specific communities, deepening Fellows’ understanding and equipping them with practical tools and best practices. Besides our Fellows, over 120 people participated, fostering networking and cooperation among Fellows, experts, and stakeholders.
In the end, we are more than positive that through these diverse learning opportunities, the Peace Fellowship project has created a vibrant community of young peacebuilders. The skills and knowledge gained by the Fellows are not only transforming their lives but also making a significant impact in their communities.
The journey of these 33 dedicated individuals serves as a powerful reminder that with the right support and education, young people can become catalysts for positive change and champions of peace.
PEACE FELLOWSHIP is a project financed by the European Union’s Erasmus+ Programme and implemented by Peace Up! in cooperation with the Youth Peace Ambassadors Network.
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