• Wednesday, 30 November 2005
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Completed Conflict Resolution Training Programme

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REG. NO. 97/0387 Period covered: 1-30 November 1997

ICCN Completed Conflict Resolution Training Programme

On 27 November 1997 the International Centre on Conflict and Negotiation (ICCN) held a meeting with the NGO and aid community for the final evaluation of the achievements of the NGO's one year conflict resolution training programme. The programme was launched in Autumn 1996 with funding from the Norwegian Refugee Council. Throughout the past year training courses were conducted for 16 groups, and a total of 280 participants completed a full course. Training courses were conducted in Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Tskhneti, Mtskheta, Batumi, Poti, Zugdidi and Tskhinvali. The programme mainly concentrated on IDPs, although it also included resident non-IDP population. Mainly the participants included journalists, lawyers, policemen, students, etc. The main criteria for the selection of the participants was their formal or informal leadership position. The idea was that the leaders, who are actively involved in different social activities, will effectively use the acquired knowledge and promulgate it around them. The aims of the training programme were: a) acquisition of experience in conflict management by participants of the training; b) development of effective communication skills to avoid conflict intensification; and c) changing the approach to conflicts, in general by broadening behaviour patterns in conflict situations, the formation of tolerant attitudes towards differences in opinions, the development of flexibility in problem management, and fostering an individual's activity by making him aware of his share of responsibility.

The programme team consisted of three facilitators, who conducted the actual training, and three psychologists, who monitored the course and tested the trainees. In addition they conducted socio-psychological research, which yielded very interesting and valuable results, which will be published as a separate volume.

The programme has been remarkably successful in all the regions where it was conducted. Nevertheless, the training course conducted in Tskhinvali for the local Ossetian population deserves special attention. Despite certain initial fears of both the Ossetian trainees and the Georgian trainers, mistrust was overcome and a very positive atmosphere of cooperation was created. The Osset participants expressed a desire to see more of such courses conducted in the region, both among the Osset and the Georgian population, giving special attention to the younger generation.

The one-year training programme was successfully completed, although ICCN and its programme group expressed hopes that resources will be available for the programme to continue also in 1998 and develop a new dimension working across the lines of conflict.