Imagine Center for Conflict Transformation

Imagine Center employs a unique methodology that combines reconciliation work with analytical dialogue and outdoor teambuilding. The dialogue part of the program is based on the belief that the solution to the present and future problems can be found in the past and more specifically in analyzing and understanding how the past is remembered by societies and how it influences the present day identities and the relations

The dialogue combines the theories of collective memory and conflict resolution. During the dialogue, the facilitators lead the participants through the process of differentiating between history and collective memory to understand and identify the construction and dynamics of interaction between groups in conflict. Different from many conflict resolution projects that deliberately put aside the differences and focus on commonalities, the Imagine methodology allows the participants to express their differences, understand each other and analyze the root causes of the conflict.

Only after working out their differences and developing strong relationships, the participants move on to discussing the areas where they can cooperate. The program evaluations have demonstrated that the opportunity to express differences has been highly effective in achieving understanding, developing empathy, building trust and promoting cooperative relationships

During the second phase of the program, the participants engage in analytical discussion of needs, concerns, fears and hopes of their present day societies and move towards focusing on commonalities and more comprehensive understanding of the issues around the conflict. The final phase of the dialogue program is the problem solving and follow up planning phase that challenges the participants to identify activities and directions in addressing the existing issues towards achieving sustainable peace. The dialogue sessions go hand in hand with outdoor teambuilding activities and informal time that allows the participants to build personal relationships and establish trust on the personal level

Our methodology consists of the following components:

• Conflict Resolution and Communication Skills Training: this component equips participants with skills necessary for constructive communication and working through conflicts.
• Hopes, Concerns, Expectations – Ground Rules: This interactive session allows participants to set the tone for the training, giving them the opportunity to focus the workshop according to their needs. Interactive formation of ground rules allows ownership of the process.
• History Timeline Comparison: This session allows a joint reflection on the way each group views its own history and exposes gaps in the way each side views the narratives of “the other”. Allows for de-constructing information that participants take for granted and understanding the context of ‘the other’ group.
• Dialogue through the Arts: This innovative approach allows us to infuse our dialogue methodology with a creative, parallel process to achieve depth and the generation of fresh perspectives.
• Problem Solving Workshop: this approach developed by Harvard University Professor Herbert Kelman allows the participants to look beyond positions and understand the underlying needs, fears, concerns and hopes of both societies. As the next step the participants develop approaches that can satisfy the needs and hopes all parties involved in conflict.
• Conflict Mapping: Conducted towards the end of the workshop, allows participants to view the history and the present dynamics of the conflict in one interactive map. By placing themselves in the conflict map, they are empowered through the demonstration of their proximity and power to the conflict as young leaders.
• Joint Project Planning/Future-Centric Thinking: Conducted at the end of the workshop, joint project planning allows participants from the different sides to brainstorm and plan projects which they can implement together.