By Robert Andre Emmanuel
Teachers, pastors and persons who regularly interact with school children are currently undertaking a 40-hour training geared towards improving conflict resolution techniques to reduce youth violence.
The High Court of Justice Mediation Committee of Antigua and Barbuda launched its training programme yesterday at the UWI Five Islands Campus, following the successful launch of the Conflict Resolution Programme earlier this year.
The programme, themed “Stop, Listen, Relate, Communicate”, will train school counsellors as peer mediation trainers and student representatives from select schools as peer mediators.
This initiative is a collaborative effort between the judiciary, the Ministry of Education and the University of the West Indies.
Ann Diaz, an international mediator and trainer, will lead the training sessions, said the programme consists of a 40-hour training course for counsellors and a 24-hour course for peer mediators.
Diaz emphasised the importance of the initiative, stating: “It’s about time we take it back and pull the reins in so that we can get our children to that place where they are promoting peace.”
The training aims to equip students with essential conflict resolution skills, enabling them to become “ambassadors in the fight against crime”.
It focusses on teaching empathy, active listening, and mutual respect as alternatives to violence in resolving conflicts.
Deputy Director of Education, Dr E Jonah Greene, highlighted the programme’s significance, saying: “This programme is designed to empower our students with the skills they need to manage conflicts peaceably, ensuring that our schools remain safe havens for education and personal growth.”
The High Court and the Ministry of Education expressed hope that this pilot programme will be replicated throughout the school system and will represent a crucial step in fostering a culture of peace and providing young people with valuable life skills to navigate conflicts effectively.
Meanwhile, Summer Goodwin of the Christ the King High School was the selected winner of the “Stop, Listen, Relate, Communicate” secondary school flyer competition, and was the recipient of a laptop while her school received a small cash prize.
