NEW YORK | Twenty American Seeds participated in a seminar from October 11 to 12 on nonviolent communication (NVC) led by two Seeds of Peace International Camp dialogue facilitators. NVC can be an effective tool to maintain empathy and connection during difficult conversations.
“I think the training will prompt me to question more thoroughly the motives or needs behind arguments or requests,” said one Seed.
“I think [this] will be very helpful in delivering a thoughtful, productive response, as well as in mitigating the frustration that could result from a misunderstanding or simply ignoring someone’s intentions or needs.”
Seminar participants also viewed the documentary Beyond Right and Wrong, which examines forgiveness in the context of conflicts in Northern Ireland, Israel, Palestine, and Rwanda. And on Sunday, they, along with over 100 other supports, joined the Bridges to Peace walk over the Brooklyn Bridge to raise awareness about Seeds of Peace’s mission.
The weekend workshops were led by NVC trainers Ryan McAllister and Amanda Blaine, who asked participants to engage in listening and empathy development exercises.
“The seminar was emotionally and intellectually demanding,” wrote one participant. “We were exposed to a condensed nine hour workshop that usually lasts nine days. However, ultimately there was a general consensus that this small taste of NVC left us curious, inquisitive, and inspired to pursue it further.”
AMERICAN SEEDS FALL SEMINAR