The objectives were to train professional dialogue facilitators, stimulate the facilitation of dialogue amongst and between antagonist groups and to support concrete problem-solving measures in the communities that engage in dialogue. These communities were for instance volunteers vs. local authorities, local population vs. internally displaced people (IDPs) or pro-Maydan vs. anti-Maydan. Additionally, by engaging with professionals in crucial positions, we aimed to raise awareness for the need of a culture of dialogue and stimulate creating related jobs.
The project started in January 2017 and takes place in Kyiv (the training part) and in Eastern Ukraine (the practice part). It lasted two years and ended in late 2018. We worked together with our local partner, the Ukrainian Centre for Nonviolent Communication (NVC) and Reconciliation “Dignity Space”.
Situation & Urgency
Ukraine as a country is characterised by diversity, growing civil society and conflict. Within that context, historic and contemporary traumas, stereotypes and conflicts have yet to be dealt with and linger on. As a consequence, the past years have seen increasing polarisation with increasingly little room left to stay ‘neutral’. We see a profound mistrust within and between communities as well as towards the authorities. This seriously hampers democratic reforms, the fight against corruption and not least, initiating peaceful approaches towards ending the war in Eastern Ukraine.
However, within the turmoil of recent conflicts, civil society has strongly developed into an almost professional parallel system: government and civil society organisations (CSOs) are guiding the country side by side. But, many of those CSOs who wish to help further do not possess the habit nor the skills of non-violent dialogue. The need for a culture, skills and structures of dialogue and reconciliation thus requires a serious and long-term investment, and is key on the road to durable transformation of society and political systems.
Contact
Cinta Depondt, Programme Manager Eastern Europe & Eurasia, depondt@paxforpeace.nl