This training course focused on developing the skills and attitudes needed to peacefully resolve conflicts in the context of youth work. It was implemented in Benicàssim, Castellón, and attended by 20 youth workers from Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece, and Lithuania.
Why did this project matter?
As every youth worker knows, conflict in its many forms is part of the day by day of youth work. From settling a dispute to giving a constructive critique, the ability to properly manage conflict is essential to youth workers. This project aimed at providing youth workers with the knowledge and skills needed to constructively resolve conflicts in their work. In this sense, it had three specific objectives:
- To enhance conflict management skills. The project provided a platform for youth workers to elevate their conflict management abilities through hands-on experiences and the sharing of best practices. The participants had a chance of learning not only theoretical concepts, but also from real-life scenarios and from each other’s experiences.
- To improve conflict management skills in intercultural contexts. Conflict management isn’t confined to national borders. As more and more people move abroad, the cultural differences pose an increased challenge for youth workers that require special attention.
- To create accessible resources. The project was founded on a wealth of experience and knowledge acquired by real-life youth workers over years of field work. The activities held here aimed at sharing and improving those resources, and to spread their benefits with as many people as possible. By developing easy-to-use, open-access guides, it aimed to empower other youth workers worldwide.
The project empowered youth workers with the tools to transform conflicts into opportunities for growth and understanding. As they returned to their respective communities armed with newfound knowledge and capabilities, the project’s impact extended far beyond its duration. It mattered because it effectively improved the abilities of youth workers to become elements of change and growth in their communities, and contributed towards a more peaceful, constructive society.
