MBBITI 2013

The Mediation Beyond Borders International Training Institute (MBBITI) held its third training conference during the two days before the 6th Annual Congress in Istanbul, from September 25-26th, 2013.

 Two days prior to the Congress, 17 women leaders from across Asia and Africa gathered in Istanbul for MBB’s 3rd International Training Institute, “Women in Peacebuilding: Enhancing Skills and Practice.” Ranging in age, experience, and professional background, they arrived from Turkey, Armenia, Lebanon, Israel, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Libya, Kenya, Liberia, and Nepal.

The women bonded quickly, sharing their stories, dancing and singing together, and exchanged their collective wisdom. From five talented trainers, they learned the skills of conflict resolution, dialogue, mediation, and restorative justice.  Many participants loved the role plays and exercises and requested future trainings.

Since meeting each other, they have kept in touch via email, Facebook, and a Google group, and plan to share what they learned with their local organizations and communities.  In the words of one participant, what she found most beneficial was “Getting to know other countries’ in-conflict-experiences, and planning with them possible solutions and suggestions for Syria, especially on women engagement in peacebuilding.”