Facilitating alternatives to violence Training in Namibia
In response to the growth of domestic violence, street-crimes, and the spread of HIV through sexual abuse in Namibia, in 2005 the PEACE Centre in Windhoek introduced an experiential learning process to teach Namibians about a new approach in conflict-resolution, dealing with anger and other violent feelings, and problem-solving. Tested first in the USA and more recently in South Africa, this was something completely new for Namibia.
In its first year, this approach -- called AVP or the "Alternatives to Violence Project" -- trained 60 Namibians in all walks of life. The feedback was electric, and many more workshops could have been filled, if only the resources had been available. Within eight months, a core group of successful trainees also went on to become facilitators of future AVP interventions, although this "Trainer of Trainers" approach is still in its beginning stages. Further adaptations, scaling-up, and integration of the techniques is anticipated for Years 2 and 3, after which the PEACE Centre hopes that AVP can become a wholly Namibian project for application throughout Namibia's prisons, schools, with out-of-school youth, and beyond.
AVP’s mission is to empower people to lead positive, productive individual and community lives through affirmation, communication, respect for all, community building, cooperation, and trust. It is dedicated to teaching the same peace building techniques and skills used by Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela.
Overall Goal
The overall goal is to transform the ways in which Namibians deal with conflict with an emphasis on reducing levels of violence. This will be achieved through targeting groups we know are particularly vulnerable while at the same time having a potentially huge role to play in transforming conflict in Namibia (i.e. youth, women and prisoners). Another important goal will be to create income generation possibilities for some individuals through encouraging the inclusion of unemployed persons into the training of trainers.
Target groups:
Taking into consideration the contextual situation discussed above AVP – Namibia will focus on the following three target groups: prisoners, women and youth. In order to reach these target groups individuals with access to these groups have already been included and trained as trainers.
The rationale for the choice of these target groups is as follows:
Prisoners – This is a group that has been targeted by AVP since its inception and it proved to be a successful intervention. The importance of focusing on the rehabilitation of prisoners cannot be understated. By exposing Namibian prisoners to Alternative to Violence it is hoped that they will be assisted in successfully reintegrating back into the community as well as begin to transform the prison environment.
Prison officials have an opportunity to influence the options available to prisoners upon their release, hereby reducing recidivism. Two of the newly trained trainers are already working with prisoners, as social workers, under the Ministry of Prisons and Correctional Services. As social workers these facilitators have access to the prison population where volunteers who may wish to attend can be sought. The facilitators will be liaising with the Ministry to keep them fully informed of developments.
- Women - Due to experiences in their own work, several of the facilitators are acutely aware of and particularly concerned with issues of domestic violence, abuse and HIV/AIDS. AVP – Namibia could have an impact on these issues by first targeting women who are in key positions with NGOs working with these issues in Namibia. They could be encouraged to deal with conflict in their own lives and in their communities through the basic workshop. This would then be followed up by encouraging them to train as facilitators themselves for their own constituencies. In this way AVP – Namibia can begin to be spread among the population most affected by gender based violence. Women are also a key population to work with due to the influence they have on youth as primary care givers.
- Youth – Bearing in mind that violence and HIV/AIDS impacts on young people in particular and that over 50% of the Namibian population is below the age of 15, youth form an ideal target group for AVP – Namibia. The youth are often the victims of violence in our society from a number of sources. Violence in schools is becoming more common and many times the schools are unable to resolve these conflicts. This results in escalated violence between learners and between learners and educators. Equipping someone with skills to manage conflict more effectively at a young age can also have a lasting effect into adulthood.
One of the facilitators works with a Young Achievers Programme in schools and with LRCs (Learner Representative Councils). Elected representatives of students at secondary schools in Windhoek who are on the learner representative councils would be ideal candidates for AVP. These could also later become facilitators who can spread AVP in their schools.
Until the end of 2007 the aim is that 10 Namibians will be able to act as trainers and facilitaters.