The ISFiT Dialogue Groups is The International Student Festival in Trondheims conflict resolution initiative. In 1997, the ISFiT-theme was “Quality of life”. Is it possible to have a good life when living in a conflict? With this question in mind, students from South-Africa, Guatemala and the Middle East was invited. ISFiT introduced this type of seminar to create a space for participants from different sides of conflicts to meet on equal grounds for sharing of experiences. Through dialogue and social activities understanding of the other's situation and viewpoints between groups can develop. Trust, mutual respect and the ability to listen to the other participants must be established before someone can have constructive dialogues on difficult and emotional topics. Learning from each other and searching for common features in the conflicts can help the understanding of one's own situation and see that there are not only differences between the parties, but also similarities. When the participants come home they can use this as a tool to prevent formation of enemy images and thus contribute to improved cooperation between the conflict parties.

How do the dialogue groups really work?

Three representatives from each side of three different conflicts spend the week before ISFiT at a cabin outside of Trondheim. South Africa, Guatemala, Northern Ireland, Colombia, Kosovo, Rwanda, Kashmir, Israel, Palestine, Sri Lanka, Balkan and Russia/Chechenya have been represented since the start. In 2005 participants from the conflicts in the Ethiopia/Eritrea, Iran/USA and Russia/Chechnya was invited. To explore the potentials of dialogue as a tool in conflict resolution the participants take part in dialogue exercises, role-play and social activities together with two group leaders for each conflict. The group leaders are Norwegian students with expertise on the conflict areas as well as experience from international organizations and studies.

Instead of putting the participants on each side of a negotiation table, much of the learning happens through games and play – to make the participants see each other as fellow human beings instead of enemies. The games make grounds for reflection, to analyze and discuss the present situation in the conflicts. The participants themselves decide how far they want to go in the dialogues, agreement is not stressed.

What happens when the dialogue groups return to their home countries?

The dialogue groups show people who apparently do not communicate how to talk and see each other as human beings, to understand the others points of view and be thoughtful for the other as a person, not an opponent. During the time the participants spend together they usually see that the images they have of each other are not necessarily true. An Israeli participant who initially refused to sleep in the same room as the representative from the other part in the conflict went home from the dialogue groups of 1997 as friends with the opponent – and stated this manifesto: “If Arafat and Netanyahu had participated in the dialogue groups it would not have been a conflict in the Middle East any more.” Many friendships have evolved and dialogue group participants have continued the work in their areas after the festival. The Russia/Chechnya- and Sri Lanka-conflict is some of many examples of projects the participants have started in their home countries.

One of the participants put it like this: “A puzzle always consists of bits and pieces. Although we have not gained peace by such a seminar, making an impact in some people’s lives might have brought us a little bit closer. Just that makes it worth it!”

The next ISFiT Dialogue Groups will be held from the 6^th to the 26^th of February, 2007.

Students from Sudan, the Horn of Africa (Ethiopia/Eritrea/Somalia) and Great Lakes region (DR Congo/Uganda/Rwanda/Burundi) is currently participating in the ISFiT
Dialogue Groups. A evaluation report will be presented at this page during
March month. More information about our Africa Dialogue Network will also
be published then.

The first day of Dialogue

Questions or comments regarding the next ISFiT Dialogue Groups? Please contact:
Mr. Eivind Fjeldstad, Head of the Dialogue Groups, phone +47 9596 9631 og by e-mail; eivindfj [at] isfit.org