Dimapur, May 7 (EMN): Peace Channel (PC) has organised a day programme at Trinity High School, Thahekhu village, Dimapur, on May 6. The purpose of the training was to capacitate the students to learn how to intervene in conflict situations in their own way in family, community and institutional conflicts.
Speaking on the occasion, Fr. CP Anto, Director of Peace Channel, said that Trinity High School has already set a new trend and stepped forward in working together to create a peaceful world. He also stressed on the importance and methods of peer mediation in schools and communities.
Peer mediation is both a process and programme, where students of the same age-group facilitate resolving disputes between two people or small groups. This process has proven effective in schools and communities. The youth have to play catalyst of change where ever they are. They have to be taught to resolve conflict in their lives, families and educational institutions and make them the messengers of peace in the conflict situations and prevent them in getting in to violent conflicts.
The process of peer mediation makes the youth to improve self-esteem, listening and critical thinking skills and enhances the school climate for learning as well as reduce disciplinary actions and fights.
He also said peer mediators do not "make decisions" but rather work towards a win-win resolution for both sides in order to avoid further trouble or escalation of conflicts. Their main duties in the process of mediation is to develop a core group of adults within school community to carry out and model the mediation programme, oversee the selection of its members, training, motivation, debriefing of mediators, keep records and report regularly to all communities/ stakeholders, work together to overcome attitudinal and structural resistance with their institutions, developing and maintaining support from strategic groups, including teachers, parents and community leaders.
They are also taught where and how they can intervene on issues related to social media, domestic violence, relationship difficulties/ harassment, rumours and gossip, cheating and stealing, gang fight, racial and cultural confrontations, vandalism, classroom or extracurricular disputes, bullying, minor assaults and fighting. Thus, the ultimate objective of all the peer mediators of peace club members is to make the educational institutions, communities and families a place of peace and promote harmonious living among all, he added.
The programme was attended by 150 students and their various performance added colour to the event. NT Abraham, the school headmaster, welcomed the gathering, while Ms Arti, peace club coordinator, proposed vote of thanks. The programme concluded with the singing of Peace Channel anthem.
