Connecting in Conflict: Skills for Building Bridges and Repairing Relationships

If one thing is certain in this life, it’s that we will always have conflict. It’s a normal part of being human: conflict with friends, family, and co-workers; conflict in our community; conflict within ourselves. 

We can’t escape conflict, but we can create something beautiful out of it. Instead of fleeing from conflict or treating it like a battle to win, conflict can be an opportunity to strengthen relationships, find new solutions, and build a better future together.

Approaching conflict constructively is possible, but it takes skill and intention. How can we peel back the layers of conflict and discover the causes underneath? How can we move beyond our “fight or flight” instinct and choose to collaborate with others? How can we transform conflicts in the community around us?

Our “Connecting in Conflict” course is perfect for community members looking for foundational skills and concepts that they can use to address personal and interpersonal conflicts, as well as leaders and peacebuilders seeking an integrated toolkit for transforming interpersonal conflict. 

THIS SIX-SESSION COURSE WILL INTRODUCE:

  • Four key lenses for understanding conflict: Needs, Trauma, Narratives, and Power

  • Circle processes for community building and restorative practices

  • Empathy and compassionate communication

  • Self-awareness and self-compassion

  • Dialogue and win-win approaches

  • Informal mediation skills

  • Interpersonal de-escalation skills


Participants can expect a highly interactive experience, with a lot of discussion and practice accompanying presentations of new content. We request that participants intend to be present for the majority of the sessions in order to facilitate their own learning and the learning of the class.

+ Course Dates and Time

FORMAT & TIME

The entire event will happen online via Zoom. Tuesdays from June 21 to July 26, 6:30-8:30pm Central.

DATES

  • June 21
  • June 28
  • July 5
  • July 12
  • July 19
  • July 26

+ Participation Cost

Peace Catalyst is able to offer courses like this because of the generosity of our participants. This course operates on a gift economy model. Some can donate freely, some cannot—we trust that when participants donate, they will consider the value of the course, the needs of the trainer, and their own financial situation.

All are welcome to attend. We invite you to support us according to your own financial ability and sustainable generosity.

We request that you donate before the course begins, so that we have an accurate picture of the course's finances.

Suggested donation amounts:

  • $400 - Support those with fewer resources to attend (if you're able to take a nice trip or two each year without financial worry, consider this amount)
  • $300 - Support the sustainability of future courses (if you can regularly go out for a nice dinner without stretching your budget, consider this amount)
  • $200 - Standard contribution (if you are financially secure but are careful with your discretionary income, consider this amount)
  • $100 - Discount rate (if you're on a tight budget, consider this amount)
  • $___ - Pay what you can: (if finances are limited, you're still welcome. We invite you to donate whatever you can joyfully—every amount helps us to continue offering these courses)
 

MEET YOUR TRAINER

Peter Digitale Anderson

Peter is a Program Director and the Director of Formation at Peace Catalyst International. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Peter regularly leads workshops and coaches peacebuilders in conflict transformation, nonviolence, trauma resiliency, dialogue skills, and more. In the Twin Cities, he is focused on catalyzing churches and white folk to get involved in the work of racial healing and justice, ranging from internal growth and accountability to wide-scale social change. 

Have more questions? Contact us!
Peter Digitale Anderson: peter.anderson@peacecatalyst.org