for more information see visit http://www.transformativedialogue.com/index.html

January 28 - February 1, 2013 - Lillehammer, Norway

Organized by the Nansen Center for Peace and Dialogue and the Institute for the Study of Conflict Transformation.

Trainers: Erik Cleven, Vesna Matovic and Judith A. Saul.

Transformative Dialogue is an approach to conflict intervention in settings of ethnic and political conflict that focuses on interaction rather than problem-solving. Its goal is to change the quality of conflict interactions between members of a community, supporting an increase in positive and/or pro-social interaction. It values party decision-making above intervener goals.

This five-day training will focus on how interveners can practice this kind of party-driven dialogue and support communities as they wrestle with the challenges of post-conflict development. It is designed for people with in working with communities in conflict, including violent conflict.

Topics covered include:

The relational approach to conflict

The application of that approach interpersonally and in settings of ethno-political conflict

The components of Transformative Dialogue

The core skills of relational conflict intervention and their application

Understanding power and identity from a relational perspective

Relational approaches to monitoring and evaluation

Erik Cleven is currently a PhD candidate in the Department of Political Science at Purdue University, Indiana, and a member of the board of the Institute for the Study of Conflict Transformation. He has facilitated interethnic dialogue between Russians and Chechens and with numerous groups from the former Yugoslavia.

Vesna Matovic is Head of Training and Learning at International Alert. She holds a doctorate in psychology and has worked for many years as a consultant, trainer and facilitator on conflict issues.

Judith A. Saul has over two decades of experience in mediation, facilitation and training. She founded a community mediation center in Ithaca, NY and was its Executive Director for more than 25 years.  She is a Fellow of the Institute for the Study of Conflict Transformation and has provided training throughout the U.S. and internationally.

The three trainers have extensive experience in conducting dialogues in Africa, the Balkans and the former Soviet Union and in training others in conflict interventions based on relational principles.

There is a maximum of 25 participants, whom will be admitted to the course in the order of their registrations.

The course fee is NOK 10.000 (EUR 1.350/USD 1.765), and includes accommodation, all meals, course material, and an excursion.

Payments will have to be received within a week after notification.

Participants have to cover their travel costs to and from Lillehammer in addition to the course fee.

Please contact post(at)peace.no to receive the application form.

for more information visit http://www.transformativedialogue.com/index.html