International Alert implemented a Training of Trainers in Batken Province (Oblast) of the Kyrgyz Republic between 2nd and 6th April 2012, as part of Alert’s contribution to TASK – an EU-funded conflict mitigation and peacebuiding project in Kyrgyzstan implemented by Alert together with partners Foundation for Tolerance International (FTI) and Coalition for Democracy and Civil Society (CDCS), and 12 other international and national NGOs.
This 18-month project is designed to focus on mitigating conflict dynamics at the community level in three southern provinces (oblasts) as well as Chuy oblast in the north. International Alert’s role is to strengthen and support nascent and existing mediators working at the community level on conflict prevention and conflict de-escalation. Alert is doing this by providing trainings on mediation to new and veteran mediators as well as, inter alia, conducting workshops and seminars on conflict issues at the community level.
Alert’s Training of Trainers aimed at providing ten trainers from the Batken Oblast ΜΆ including four trainers from Leylak rayon (district), three trainers from Batken rayon and three trainers from Kadamjay rayon – with basic mediation skills. These individuals were identified through a survey conducted by Alert’s partner FTI and selected through criteria developed by both FTI and our other partner CDCS. The training covered several modules such as: “what is conflict?”, “what is conflict analysis?”, “what are different types of conflict resolution methods?”, “what makes a good mediator?”, and “what are the steps of mediation?”.
During our 18-month project, there will be two more rounds of mediation training for these trainers in Batken, who will then be tasked with training others within their communities in conflict mediation.
Each of the photos below illustrates the learning modules the trainers experienced in Batken.
A trainer on the Kadamjay rayon team illustrates how he would teach Kadamjay rayon community mediators the difference between positions, interests and needs of conflict parties.
A Kadamjay rayon trainer illustrates his knowledge of the roots of conflict and the manifestations of conflict using the conflict tree analytical model.
Batken Oblast trainers practice the difference between active and inactive listening. Active listening is a key skill of any trainer or mediator in the practice of mediation.
Trainers from Leylak, the most western rayon in Batken oblast and therefore border region with Tajikistan, illustrate how they would teach their mediators different conflict resolution models (specifically adjudication, arbitration, negotiation and mediation).
All trainers practice mediation using cases they submitted on the first day of training. Alert’s Senior Peacebuilding Trainer Kim Toogood observes trainers on the stages of mediation during their capstone activity on the last day of training.