The ISFiT Dialogue Groups is the ISFiT conflict resolution initiative. The initiative was started in 1997, and has in following year lead to the forming of several peace groups around the world. Four participants from each side of a conflict are brought to an isolated cabin in the Norwegian mountains. With help from ISFiT, they will try to discuss and learn from each other. This year, the conflict areas are Georgia/Abkhazia, Jerusalem and Cyprus. One of ISFiT’s journalists went to visit them, this what experienced.
Breaking the Ice
The sun is shining when I arrive at Røros, a cold yet beautiful day. The participants arrived at the cabin one day earlier, having spent two days in Oslo. They have just finished a role play aimed at exploring the different kinds of listening by taking the role of good and bad listeners.
-Talking to someone who is not listening is frustrating, and makes it tempting to exaggerate the story, one participant says, while another claims to have fallen in love with the good listener. There seems to be a good atmosphere in the group.
The students participating at the seminar come from three conflict areas; Jerusalem, Cyprus and Abkhazia.
-The idea was to put focus on forgotten conflict areas, Head of the Dialogue Groups, Ellen Gilbert, says. Recent developments in Gaza and South Ossetia have shown that dialogue between the conflicting parties is more important than ever.
-The idea is not for this to be a negotiating table, but to create a neutral environment to make communication possible, Ellen continues.
Next on the schedule is a discussion about the concepts of discussion, conversation, debate and dialogue − concepts the participants will explore in detail in the coming week. The atmosphere is still amicable, but when the term dialogue is brought up some disagreements are shed to light.
-So we have a debate now, one participant exclaims, referring to the earlier definition of the word.
During lunch I talk with two participants, Angela from Abkhazia and Neophytos from the Greek part of Cyprus.
-The only time I meet people from the other side is during seminars like this, Angela tells me. We talk about the conflicts in their respective countries, and Neophytos is cautiously positive about a peaceful solution in Cyprus.
-I think a solution will come, because both parties want it. The youth eat and drink togeth er, so hopefully a change will come in the fu ture. We continue the conversation until Eylem, a Turkish Cypriot, interrupts and with an ironic tone asks me
-Now, what kind of misinformation has my friend given you? He underlines the views of Neophytos, and it is easy to see that the relation between them is far from tense.
-This is my first time to ski, Evros from Cyprus says when it is time for outdoor activities, and it is evident that he is not alone. There are lots different skiing techniques on display, some more advanced than others. The participants who are not skiing are tossing snowballs, and all cultural differences are put aside as they play in the snow.
-I have an insurance, Angela yells before I see her jumping from the fire exit and landing in the snow. This quickly becomes the main activity, and it lasts until we go inside for waffles and cocoa. Back inside I talk to Konstantin from Abkhazia. He is currently studying in Moscow, and this is his first time outside of Russia and Abkhazia.
-The relationships we build here will be important for the future, he tells me, and says that he has been looking forward to the seminar for months. -It is interesting to meet people and share opinions with them.
The sun is setting and my day at Røros is coming to an end. The participants still have a week to spend here before they head for Trond heim and ISFiT, where they will form their own workshop. Many new acquaintances will have been made by then, and I am looking forward to see where this seminar has taken them.
