'We also support Olha Lychko-Parubocha, who visits IDP camps in Lviv.' Photo: Olha Lychko-Parubocha
On course: Chris Hunter on peace training in Russia and Ukraine
‘The more people who gain these skills, the greater chance that they are implemented.’
Together with Peacebuilding UK, Friends Peace Teams, a Quaker-based organisation, is training a network of young peaceworkers in Chechnya, Ingushetia, and Dagestan. The training equips them with conflict transformation skills, drawing upon decades of international experience with AVP.
This network unites young people from the different republics of the North Caucasus and neighbouring countries. Coming together helps to break some of the isolation young people experience there. It also brings together experienced AVP trainers.
In the societies of the North Caucasus, and Chechnya in particular, violence has reached catastrophic levels. Education in conflict transformation skills is extremely important. The more people who gain these skills, the greater chance that they are implemented.
In December we will run some intensive training in Istanbul. Since we last conducted such a workshop, trainers from Chechnya have worked with two cohorts of students in Grozny. Six of these will attend the workshop in Istanbul, together with nine youthworkers from Peacebuilding UK’s Working with Men and Boys for Gender Equality programme.
In 2022/23, 1,400 boys and girls will attend sessions on exploring masculinities, gender norms and alternatives, re-assessing their attitudes and relationships to girls and women and to themselves. This training emphasises the importance of nonviolence in relationships for the benefit of everyone. Harmful attitudes towards women and girls will be challenged as unacceptable. Peacebuilding UK can provide quality data, knowledge, and research methods to inform gender-transformative policymaking.
Peacebuilding UK and Friends Peace Teams have also been working in Ukraine since 2014, supporting internally displaced people (IDP) and other communities, spreading the message of peace. As well as supporting a ‘Power of Goodness’ team in Ukraine, we also support Olha Lychko-Parubocha, who visits IDP camps in Lviv. Together they discern what’s needed, from basic needs to trauma counselling and social support. Power of Goodness offers essential skills and insights on how to recover from war.
Our friends in Ukraine are facing an incredibly harsh winter, with continuing Russian air strikes. Those working for peace in the North Caucasus and other parts of Russia are facing huge pressure and threats from local authorities, making their work more challenging and hazardous. Please hold them all in the Light.
We are looking for Friends in the UK and Europe who would be interested in meeting with the Friends Peace Teams working group, usually on Zoom. This is a good opportunity to follow the work, and to be a part of the support network for people like Olha.
To join the working group or donate to the work in Ukraine, please contact him by email at chris.hunter@peacebuildinguk.org.
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