Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution
Through our programs hundreds of youths and young adults from war-torn parts of the globe (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, Cambodia, Lebanon, Israel and the Palestinian territories, Georgia and Abkhazia, Northern Ireland, and South Africa) have begun a process of personal healing and constructing new senses of purpose and hope. Participants gain the skills and shift in perspectives needed to begin to break the vicious cycles of intolerance and violence and transition from a culture of conflict to a culture of participation.
When the goal is to develop tolerance, Legacy establishes the foundation and sets the stage before we even bring people together; carefully creating the environment in which the interaction will take place; getting agreement from each person to fully participate.
Once the foundation is laid, Legacy guides the participants through the different levels. At the first stage, the goal is to build familiarity among the participants utilizing the communication skills of listening and of expressing oneself.
At the second level, participants come to a state of recognition of their common humanity. Here the skills include gaining a sense of identity of self and identity of others through cross cultural understanding.
Building upon that, our third level, is a discussion of common concerns. At this stage, the skills of analysis, the understanding of the importance of restraint, and the values of generosity and empathy are brought forth.
The highest level is mutual problem solving, where relationships have been built and there is a level of trust.
This is not a linear process, depending upon the goal and where there is no severe conflict, several of the first levels, may be enough for respectful co-existence to blossom.
“To someone who believes that violence is the only way, I would quote Dr. Martin Luther King: ‘We must end the cycle of violence. The old saying “an eye for an eye” leave the whole world blind.’ Because of the attitude that it’s a problem of “good guys” and “bad guys,” there is a feeling that the good guys should win. But it’s not a battle. It’s a problem that must be understood and a solution that must be beneficial to both our peoples.”
Saar Peer, Israeli