Over the years we developed a unique method for working with groups in conflict. As opposed to focusing on interpersonal relations between the participants, the emphasis is on the inter-group conflict. We are guided by four basic premises in our work:
A – The perceptions and beliefs on which a person’s identity and behaviour is constructed, are firm and deep-set, and are usually difficult to change.
B – the conflict is based on the meeting point between two national groups, not individuals. We see the group something essential beyond the sum of all individuals who compose it.
C – the group is a microcosm of the reality outside, therefore can be used as a learning about society.
D – the meeting group is an open group which is connected to the outside reality and is affected by it.
Our facilitators were trained in a dialogue work method which is based on these premises. They try to expose these relationships in society and examine them in order to deconstruct oppressive constructs. This method forms a rich experience and exposes the participants to an alternative discourse.
In our work we try to expose the perceptions and beliefs on which the identity of the individuals in the group is constructed, in order to allow them to deal with it. The Jewish and Palestinian participants meet to examine their national and ethnic identities, and to examine the interaction between them in the group, as a microcosm to the Arab-Jewish relations in society.
The School for Peace method is based on years of research, theory, and development of best practices in the field of conflict resolution. Its uniqueness lies in the recognition of asymmetric power relations between the Jews and Palestinian citizens of Israel, and between Israelis and Palestinians in the occupied areas, and in the direct treatment of the conflict. The participants meet to discuss and talk about the direct impact of the conflict on their lives and the problems that their national group faces.
Our goal is to allow participants to enrich their point of view and to critically examine the obvious and try to give meaning to the violent processes happening around us. Above all, our goal is to bring the participants to act towards changing reality. Our team of facilitators base their work on a critical perception of reality and emphasize the consequences of minority-majority relations on our life, on the power relations between the two sides, and the asymmetry between both sides in Israeli society.
The model developed by the School for Peace is studied by researchers from Israel and from around the globe and numerous articles and books were written about our method. Our staff trained and worked with many groups in conflict-zones around the world, including Ireland, Kosovo, the United States, England, Cyprus, South Africa and Costa Rica.