 November/December 1999 (XXXVII 5) |
Editor's Note: Stephen Angell of Kendal Meeting (PA) helped develop the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) 25 years ago in upstate New York State. AVP is a system, now widely used among prisoners, of training trainers who then teach specific techniques of conflict resolution to others. Now, at 80, Steve has completed his third trip to teach AVP in parts of Yugoslavia. He was there during the bombing earlier this year, but in a different region, and is now preparing for a fourth such journey. These missions are among those sent through the Balkans Project of our Yearly Meeting, under oversight of the Peace and Concerns Standing Committee. Here is Steve's report.
first returned to Osijek and the Baranja region (in Croatia, far north) where I have been twice before. The AVP program is alive and moving forward. I have been joined in this visit by Karin Fry, an AVP facilitator from Britain. Together we have assisted local Apprentice Facilitators to facilitate two Basic, one Second Level, and two Training for Facilitators workshops. In Bosnia we did one Basic and one Second Level workshop. In addition, skills-building sessions were held.
In an important meeting of trained facilitators in the Osijek and Baranja areas the Serbian and Croatian facilitators took over the responsibilities for organization and development of the program. Heretofore, although local AVPers had participated in the program, they had depended heavily on international personnel (not indigenous) to carry the major responsibility. It is hoped that this arrangement will strengthen local leadership.
In Bosnia (adjacent and central), the program has just been introduced through our visit. Contacts with international groups operating in the Sanski Most area, particularly the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, are most encouraging, and a local group with world-wide connections, "Through Hearts to Peace," is really eager to help AVP along.
A major initiative in this trip was introducing AVP in Gasinci, a refugee camp in Croatia. Since the camps tend to have quite mobile populations there was not great likelihood that camp residents would reach the Facilitator level. However we were able to train facilitators among volunteers working in the camp. They can conduct workshops in the camp, often including teen-agers and young adults.
It is my view that love is a universal human emotion that can be a major influence for change. Money may fulfill important needs, but giving money may create dependency and have many negative outcomes. If we Friends can find ways to give of ourselves or give money to other Friends so they can be there and give of themselves, this is to me the most likely course to re-establishing trust and rebuilding community based on love.
Bosnia
Dreams lost
Families vanish
Amid a land so full of beauty and promise.
...
But with guns silenced
A time for renewal has come
...
May our light not flicker
But shine brightly
And help bring the new dayStephen L. Angell
Kendal Meeting (PA)
Last modified: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:18 AM