From: Information Resource Centre (IRC@col.org)
Date: Thu Dec 12 2002 - 11:22:50 PST
> The first training manual for Pacific Peace Builders was launched in Suva, on Tuesday 10 December 2002.
> Creating a Culture of Peace: A Training Manual for Pacific Peace Builders, by Arlene Griffen was published by Suva-based Ecumenical Centre for Research, Education and Advocacy (ECREA).
> "> This is a very special publication,> "> said the Vice Chairperson of ECREA, Dr Sandra Tarte, > "> it is the first training manual and guide for peace-building and conflict resolution, designed specifically for use in the Pacific. Moreover, what we have here is a very living document; one that is not just for reading and learning from, but one that is also for practical application and use. Through this manual we hope to actually influence how people think, interact and try to change for the better, the societies and communities they live in.> ">
> According to ECREA> '> s Gender and Peace programme coordinator, KOILA COSTELLO-OLSSEN, the training manual, which has been made possible through assistance from AusAID and Canada Fund, will enable local communities, design and stage their own peace programmes, in particular workshops:
> "> For ECREA all our programmes have an education, research and advocacy component. So as a follow up from our own National Peace workshop last year and the series of local workshops we have undertaken this year, the manual builds on all these initiatives, and also provides our community based partners to strengthen their own contributions to the national peace process. This manual will enable more discussion and action at local level> ">
> The manual focuses on the principles of Conflict Transformation, which is an ideology and theory that Peace builders, including DR LISA SCHIRCH who was a facilitator of the 2001 National Peace Workshop, have developed over the years. The actual production process of this > '> living document> '> lasted some two years, involving people from all walks of life, from those who participated at the October 2001 National Peace Workshop, as well as the eight follow-up workshops which have been held around Fiji since then. These workshops assisted ECREA trial the manual.
> According to Dr. Tarte, the workshops staged at various regional centres around Fiji, not only attest to the huge need for such a manual, but also the important fact that this manual has its roots in the very communities and conflict situations that it has been designed for.
> In launching the manual, Australian Deputy High Commissioner, MR RICHARD RYAN, not only commended ECREA for its efforts to bring different groups together to discuss their beliefs, attitudes and grievances, and to hear and understand those of other communities:
> "> We look to religious organizations, government and civil society to pursue areas for further dialogue and enquiry. This needs to be done consistently and continually to ensure that communities have a better understanding and appreciation of each other."
> DR. ARLENE GRIFFEN has prepared the training manual. The cover design is by JANE RICKETTS and layout/design is by DANIEL EVANS. A 25-minute training video produced by Wildlight Productions accompanies the training manual.
> HOW TO ORDER
> Copies are FJ30.00 plus FJ15.00 for postage and handling - for overseas orders.
> Please send bank cheque/draft or money order (payable to ECREA) to:
> ECREA Publications
> GPO Box 15473,
> Suva, Fiji Islands
> For more information contact Libby Cass on (679) 3307 588 or info@ecrea.org.fj
>
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