By Armine Zakaryan | Project Coordinator
During the last few months Peace Dialogue NGO had a number of meetings with its partners from the sides involved in the conflict over the Nagorno Karabakh to discuss the preliminary activities for the “Violence Had Many Faces” project. As usual during this period we held meetings with the representatives of the NK conflict parties introducing them the theatrical methods used in the youth peace building activities and shared our experience with them.
Why we chose the theatrical methods?.
From point of view of our staff members, the educational component is particularly important and the theatrical methods are a part of our educational activity. The methods selected by the organization for developing analytical and critical skills among young people involved in the peace movement would give an opportunity to raise the profoundly taboo issues in society that include elements of violence and human rights violations and abuse. Methods that would create a platform for resolving those issues through nonviolent have been chosen.
The economical, social and political situation in the country, as well as in the region, and the experience acquired in previous years by the organization were the base for selecting theatrical tools as more effective and applicable tools, especially in youth peace work.
Thus, Peace Dialogue activity is based on the Brazilian Paolo Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed and theatrical methods of Brazilian socio-political activist Augusto Boal. There are at least two reasons for this choice. First, the methods were quite interesting and motivating and with their help it is possible to raise even the most taboo issues, look at the problem from different dimensions, and discuss and identify interests and needs of different parties involved in the conflict. Second, it decreases the possibility of aggression in the existing repressive political context.
The majority of our partners also agree that the theatrical methods provide an opportunity to reach trust inside the group and faster integration of the participants in the group. In addition, the work with theatrical methods makes it a lot easier to implement initiatives on the local level, to involve broader segments of the society and to raise numerous tangible and taboo issues.
However, the lack of the money designed and collected for the project still remains an urgent issue. More than $25.000 is needed for the implementation of the project, whereas only $3000 has been collected so far. Nevertheless, PD NGO goes on with the fundraising from various sources. In this respect we anticipate the support from our partner organizations, foundations, and individuals from different countries.
The PD staff is grateful to all the individuals and organizations who donated money for the project implementation. We are grateful that you appreciate our work and share our perceptions in peace building. We'll periodically share our activities, success and even difficulties we'd face on the way of the project implementation. Once again thank you for your support.
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