QUAKER PEACE CENTER

The center is inter alia involved with peace-building in conflict-ridden townships. Regular workshops encourage young people to consider alternatives to violence. (www.quaker.org/capetown/)

ALTERNATIVE TO VIOLENCE PROJECT

This project is a grassroots, international, volunteer movement committed to reducing violence in society. The facilitators involved offer experiental workshops in business, government, prisons, schools, communities and other organisations. These workshops present pre-emptive conflict management skills that can enable individuals to build successful interpersonal interactions, gain insights into themselves and find new and positive approaches to their lives. They provide experiences of respect for oneself and others; of speaking truth and listening with an open mind; of co-operation and the benefits of diversity. Those who have completed all levels of training become skilled and experienced leaders. Christoph Baumann, who is a member of our congregation, is involved in facilitating such workshops. He has run two workshops with young people from our community, building their self-esteem and trust, improving both listening skills and assertive methods of expression and developing co-operative attitudes that avoid competitive conflict. He has now also finished running his first 9 weeks workshop at Pollsmoor prison, helping inmates to learn new skills and attitudes that lead to fulfilling and crime-free lives. It hereby provides the participants with an experience of what it feels like to be part of a caring community. Role plays provide an opportunity to explore the inner transforming power to resolve violence and to learn new and creative ways to respond to real conflicts in our lives. (www.quaker.org/capetown/avp-ct.htm)