Latin America – Escuela de la Paz [Peace School], a space for cooperative learning to attain harmonious coexistence.
The first version of the Escuela de la Paz (Peace School) was held in Sucre City from 31 March to 2 April 2023 in the Azari retreat house. It aims to bring transformation in people through dialogue for constructive change of conflicts. Now, Sucre has its first Peace School.
With the support of Weltfriedensdienst e.V. (WFD) from Germany, the ACLO Foundation has been implementing the "Culture of Peace and Dialogue for Living Well" project in southern Bolivia. This work seeks peaceful coexistence and non-violent conflict resolution in areas inhabited by the indigenous and rural communities in the Protected Areas of El Palmar, the Serranía del Iñao and the peri-urban districts of Sucre City.
In this context, 20 people of different ages from various regions of Chuquisaca participated in the first-ever School of Peace, a space for reflection, self-knowledge, interaction and cooperative learning using the ERCA methodology (Experience, Reflection, Conceptualisation and Learning). The ERCA methodology introduces a theme through an experiential activity (dynamic). The group then reflects on what was experienced, felt, and wondered about. After that, conceptual input is given to help meaningfully frame personal reflections. Finally, opportunities are provided for learners to apply or transfer the learning among peers.
The goal is to prepare the human person's social dimension for harmonious relations, which is only possible when each one recognises the self as the aim and recipient of rights and values. Only then will one understand the other as an equal subject, thus achieving attitudinal change that could foster dialogue. It also encourages participants to reinforce their learning within systems where they habitually live, work and develop. A challenge confronted by the School of Peace pertains to continuously revising its contents in response to emerging situations.
The ACLO Foundation is convinced that the road is not easy and that we must adapt to changes. However, if those changes are accompanied by friendship, the road is smoother; thus, dialogue with a friend becomes a significant support.
Betty Rosa
Choque Cabrera
Multimedia
Communicator
Culture of
Peace Project
ACLO Chuquisaca
Source : aclo.org.bo
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