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Der 4-Monats-Qualifizierungskurs: ein Erfahrungsbericht
Bericht des Kursteilnehmers Christopher Day
Christopher Day hat am 4-Monats-Qualifizieurngskurs 2010 teilgenommen. In den vier Monaten hat er nicht nur sein Wissen über Konflikttransformation erweitert, sondern auch einen persönlichen Veränderungprozess durchlaufen.
» the entering of the discomfort zone
Who could have thought that this would be such a roller coaster, such a ride? Last year, when I learned about the opportunity to start this training, the only thing I expected was to have some fun, get some input and get out of it with better prospects on the international job market.
This is all true, but it does not reflect reality. A reality that is, by far, more complex. The training triggered growth on a multitude of levels, it led to great discoveries and new horizons. Truly, the last four months were not always pleasant or relaxing. It was as if I entered a new zone of discomfort. But in the end, the training was highly rewarding. A blessing. A true roller coaster. With fascinating views, great slopes, thrilling speed. And great company!
Before I started the training, I decided to quit my job and move to India. That was October 2009. An international NGO in India offered me to stay for a couple of months in order to gain some work experience in the field. It was my plan to later find a job in the international community. My resignation from my former profession represented a somewhat bold plunge into uncertainty, but it also reflected my inner elaboration and implementation of a deeper meaning I intended to attribute to my work. So, I was determined to give it a try! Since then, many great things happened. I gained comprehensive knowledge, learned a lot about the civil peace service and I learned much about myself, my strengths as well my attitudes and the (work/family) culture I came from.
Being surrounded by a very different community was a great challenge for me. To begin with: to find my place in it. In my former job I was used to a different communication culture, a different way of behaviour, more focussed on results, efficiency, competition and promptness. Now things appeared to be quite different. So it took me some time to get adjusted to a more process-oriented cooperation, based (more) on mutuality and integration. In all, those four months were not just about „some stuff“ I was offered to learn. For me they were about the examination of my own character, my values, needs and interests. There is still so much to be discovered. So much to learn. To explore! A truly rewarding journey.
» the process, the team and me
The beginning of the course was tough for me. What was I doing here? I did not have any specific expectations, but truly this was far from what I COULD have expected! As I had quit my job and now had the opportunity to learn about the new realities in the field, my motivation was very clear: To gain as much as possible. To focus on the teacher, by all means. To not miss a single thing! In addition, to ensure maximum effectiveness, I decided to take a very active role in the game. „If I do not like it, change it“ was my idea, a great expression of my previous work environment in the media industry where I always had to make sure to get what I need.
Now, looking back, I am astonished by this attitude of preoccupation. I was about to miss a lot of important things: My surrounding, my teammates, the group culture and my role in the group. All those important, vital elements I increasingly learned to appreciate and take into account. Thanks God I realised that and my way of communication became more inclusive. Less prominent. Less a mean to promote myself/my ideas but more directed towards a contributive sharing to the process. I consider this as a meaningful capacity for the work the field. With this I can go far beyond of what I can achieve just by myself.
» challenges for my brain and heart
Coming from the private sector and having worked in communications, I did not have any idea about the upcoming subjects of the trainings - at least for most of the part. All I knew was to enter the field of civil peace service. I was very impressed by the diversity of the trainings. In all, I had a great overview of multiple aspects, but I wish there had been more time to explore. Once you decide to go deeper, four months can be pretty short. Calling myself a certified peace and conflict consultant is rather presumptuous, to me at least. There is a lot I would like to get more into it, get a thorough understanding and read about it. There is so much to learn, a vast, infinite choice! Hopefully, I soon will have the chance to get some work experience, too. Let me see how theory and reality go hand in hand...
Each trainer had his or her unique approach and provided an individual space for me. The diversities of the courses were challenging and helped me a lot to expand my mind. The more I got into the trainings, the broader the options became. And I was able to re-connect to my former profession, too. Having learned a lot about media and communication in the last seven years, it only made sense to now translate these experiences into the field of civil peace service. As media play an increasingly important role in today’s society, and as the world is still marked by a high number of conflicts, the media must report on these and their reporting should comply with ethical and professional standards. Not in an inciting and inflammatory manner, fuelling the conflict and the war. For that reason, it is my aim to strengthen the media’s capacity to contribute to dialogue, mutual understanding and eventually reconciliation and peace.
» ready to plunge into the unknown
After four months of challenging seminars, intense workshops and a fascinating, yet disenchanting field visit to Jerusalem, I will now start looking for an international assignment. It is exciting, though disquieting to know that, let’s say, in six months I may be working in Liberia, Sudan or in the Philippines. Or maybe still at home, applying…!
This training has given me a lot of tools that will help me to do my work. However, the tools alone will not make a good civil peace consultant. Countless consultants know well how to use these tools. Yet, the consultants will remain replaceable if they only focus on the usage of methods and procedures. Ultimately, it will be the individual humaneness, the spirit and attitude that will make the difference in the field. These are the true, unique quality aspects that go way beyond the newly acquired tools! The people abroad will not remember whether I was able to conduct a thorough base line study, but whether I was able to make a connection and to meet on an eye-to-eye level. Whether I came as an arrogant outsider spreading money and confusion or whether I came as a listener and a friend. It is all about humility, decency, modesty, human values and mutual respect. For that reason I suggest a training that exactly deals with these aspects. Civil peace workers should not be technocrats alone. The people in need will feel the difference!
Christopher Day
Teilnehmer des 4-Monats-Qualifizierungskurses 2010