A know-how toolkit of The Roots project, Peacework Guidebook has been published as YMCA celebrated its 175th anniversary. Subtitled “Peace Roots: From Seeds to Fruits”, the resource was always intended to be available and easy to use for a wider public, therefore we decided to translate it into one of the local languages chiefly used in the Western Balkans (Bosnian/ Croatian/ Serbian/ Montenegrin), and finally, it is done!
“The Croatian edition of the Peacework Guidebook before you, just like the project that has brought its original version to the light of the day, is a result of peace activists’ collaboration. We consider it very important to note that it, as is often the case with peacebuilding ‘in the field’, has resulted from an actual individual cross-border initiative in the Western Balkans, a region abounding in both peacebuilding practice and expertise. This is why we consider the incentive of our peacebuilding peers and colleagues to have the Guidebook translated into the Croatian language primarily a professional acknowledgment.
Though essentially important for the future of any community, youth – as well as other vulnerable social groups’ – civic engagement in the field of peacebuilding is by rule not very high on the decision-makers’ agenda. However, it does by no means diminish the significance of youth activism in peacebuilding for the improvement of the quality of life in specific local communities by educating their inhabitants, facilitating their human rights exercise and protection, as well as their (self-)affirmation. The challenges faced by peace activists along the way are many and considerable. It may discourage even the most experienced, the most seasoned among them, let alone those at the beginning of their activist and/or professional journey. Bearing this in mind, we hope that this Guidebook will empower as many activists as possible by offering them an insight into the experience of their peers from other regions, as well as a relatively simply applicable set of peacebuilding tools and techniques.
With gratitude to the team of ShuraPublikacije for this edition, along with repeated thanks to YMCA Europe for the opportunity to shape our experience into this Guidebook back in 2019, we wish all its readers ‘on earth peace, good will toward humankind’ (Luke 2:14).”
Ankica Dragin and Wolfgang Heinrich
Authors of the Peacebuilding Guidebook
Our Peacework Guidebook is:
- A reflection on the Roots’ history and development, key components, and activities;
- A testimony of Roots participants’ impressions about the project and its impact on their lives;
- A comprehensive summary of the unique know-how and all the tools that have been fundamental to the Roots’ peace work success;
- A treasury of valuable references for peace practitioners and activists.
The Peacework Guidebook e-copy in Croatian consists of six parts and is available here:
Part one begins with a case study based on the Roots for Reconciliation (Previous title for actual Roots for Peace project) Project peacebuilding experience. It focuses on the project’s best practices and know-how, particularly its Peace Work Institute. We hope it will inspire individuals, organizations and institutions interested in and – more importantly – implementing conflict transformation and peacebuilding projects with young activists worldwide to learn from our Europe-wide practice.
In the second part, the Guidebook offers an overview of the knowledge and skills the Peace Work Institute participants acquired and later applied in cross-border ‘homework’ projects of their own design. These projects were implemented in their respective regions and communities, using their own resources.
While the third part shares the Peace Work Institute participants’ and stakeholders’ personal stories, part four provides a brief statistical overview of their learning, activism, and professional journey.
The Guidebook ends with a comprehensive list of resources with references to practical training and activity tools used in the Peace Work Institute curriculum design and implementation.
In the words of Nelson Mandela: “It always seems impossible until it is done!” The Peace Work Institute people – its participants, staff, and various contributors – are living proof of these inspiring words.
We hope this Guidebook will inspire its readers to action. Feel free to share it and let us know about your experience with it.
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