Training course: «The culture and philosophy of nonviolence»

The “Pal-Think” for Strategic Studies institution opened, in Gaza City, the specialised training programme in “the culture and philosophy of non-violence”, which continues for “10” consecutive days. Participating in the training course is a group of young men and women who have experience in communal education from all the governorates of the Strip. The training course was opened by Mr Omar Shaban, director of the “Pal-Think” for Strategic Studies institution, speaking of the institution's role in serving and embracing the youth and supporting their participation in politics and communal building. He added that the focus on the philosophy and culture of non-violence aims at spreading the culture and behaviours of dialogue and discussion as a civilised method in solving the differences and disputes, pointing out that it is a qualitative programme that strengthens the reconciliation and tolerance among the sons of the one people. He went on: “The programme aims at strengthening the individuals' capacity to transform their frustration, anger, and grumbling into positive energy”. Shaban noted that non-violence is an effective method at the individual and collective level, as a nation and a people, adding that it is more effective in harvesting international support for our Palestinian issues. In her turn, the trainer in the field of social development, Ms Amal al-Sabaawi, praised the efforts of the “Pal-Think” institution in the constant support of the youth through its projects and programmes that target Palestinian youth. She added: “This training course would mark the absence of every violent behaviour in demanding the right”. Al-Sabaawi made clear the importance of taking non-violence as a successful model that contributes to making the wronged strong and the possessor of a lofty goal, able to confront the painful reality with positive stances to resist injustice. The first day of the training programme took up becoming acquainted with the concept of non-violence and using the available methods as much as possible, of dialogue and peaceful means, to avoid violence in solving the disputes. The participants discussed with Ms Amal their issues through reviewing their experiences in society and narrating the problems they had been exposed to, with the goal of learning the best solutions to avoid violence in solving their problems. The meeting on the second day of the training course touched on becoming acquainted with the forms of violence and the ways of building peace, in addition to discussing society's culture, personal identity, and the concept of strength in non-violence. The participants showed great interest in the training programme, expressing the importance of this issue, which Palestinian society needs in light of the crises, conflicts, and pressures to which it is exposed