‘Why are Creators of Peace Circles not yet introduced in Bradford?’ Willemijn Lambert, Dutch MA student at the Peace Department of the University of Bradford, found herself thinking. Having participated in a Creators of Peace Circle in Caux, Switzerland, she attended a facilitation course in Oxford, January 2011. The idea stuck in her head and a short ‘workshop version’ was finally realized on 18 and 19 July 2011.
During the two mornings of these days, six volunteers from the organization Bradford Action for Refugees gathered together to explore their own meanings for peace, inner peace, forgiveness, listening and the qualities one needs to exhibit as a peacebuilder.
With five nationalities (UK, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Uganda and Nigeria) represented in the circle, the insights shared were rich and influenced by the different cultures the women in the circle were coming from. Participants came away with new insights.
One participant shared: ‘I learnt not to hold a grudge or be angry with someone, but instead talk out the situation that made you so angry, so that you can be able to resolve things.’ Another participant shared: ‘I will take the opportunity to really listen to what people are saying and give them the opportunity to speak. I can use these skills at work and in my private life.’
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