by Lilia Aguilar, Mexico

I remember when I first arrived to the symposium I told my friend, and current employer, I have no idea what “peacemaking” is, but what I do know is violence and how conflicts can easily escalate.

That was what Raymond Shonholtz, from the organization Partners for Democratic Change, captured on the first part of his lecture and what I learned the most. To quote Shonholtz,  “The most powerful place if you are a disputant is Direct Negotiation”. There is no other way in which one’s real interests and stakes can be properly heard and addressed. However, there are various other ways to address conflict. Mediation and conciliation are methods used for the simplest of conflicts, like fighting with your spouse or your partner.

The moral of the fable is that conflict can be directed negatively or positively depending of how you approach it and how you address the situation. Do you want to maintain the relationship? Do you want to make a one-time agreement? Do you want to create a win-win situation, or just win yourself? Answering such questions can be the way to solve even the most simple-looking problems and approaches to life.

by Colleen McQuade, U.S.A.

Since the beginning of my academic and professional career in the field of peace and conflict resolution I have felt a tension between ideology and business. Being a former hippie myself I have always understood the ideals of and vision of my friends. Dreams of nonviolence and the ability to envision a world that looks drastically different then the world today has served as a springboard and source of inspiration. On the other hand, all of my professional experience is in the corporate world. Today, Raymond Shonholtz validated the combination of both ideals and business.

Through both his lecture and the simulation I felt as if I gained practical information that will to transform my own ideas in to realities. Discussions on how to build your legitimacy as an organization, the steps to creating a center, and the process of mediating an agreement left me feeling that I had gained some palpable skills and new framework for analyzing ideas. Social entrepreneurship is not a new idea, however the integration of a business model into initiative and projects led me to a greater appreciation for my own experience.

by Maria Masullo, Italy

Over the weekend we had the opportunity to visit Florence for a different experience: a field trip.

Once in Florence, this caravan of young peace builders headed towards Palazzo della Signoria, better known as Palazzo Vecchio, the seat of the Florence City Council. Built between the end of the thirteenth century and the beginning of the fourteenth century, this palace hosts some of the most sumptuously decorated and furnished halls, such as the Salone dei Cinquecento, which we had the privilege to visit and where a majestic cycle of pictures celebrates the apotheosis of Cosimo de’Medici. Once seated, we were warmly greeted by Cristina Giachi, member of the local government of Florence for the portfolio of University, Research and Youth, and Federico Antich, representative of the Rotary Club of Florence.

After the meeting and guided tour of the City Council was over, we all headed to the popular leather market of Borgo San Lorenzo, eager to try out our newly-acquired negotiating skills that we had received from Prof. Anthony Wanis-St. John, to get some good deals at the market. The whole group split in “sub-groups” and I ended up with two of the participants, a Kashmiri and a Ukrainian, looking forward to bringing home beautiful and stylish Italian leather bags. It was fascinating to witness how our different cultural backgrounds and personalities could influence and shape our negotiation styles. My Kashmiri friend, Shazana, soon engaged in intense bargaining for buying some leather belts, showing her natural talent for negotiating. According to her, this talent was due to the fact that in Kashmir negotiation is a skill you need to develop in order to face the daily challenges of life. She used different tricks for getting the lower price: the “solidarity” card (“we are both Asian, so you can give me a special discount”), the “the more discount I get, the more things I’ll buy from you” card, and so on. On the opposite side of the street Yuliya, from Ukraine, was arguing about the authenticity of the amber of a necklace and unfortunately the seller did not have enough convincing arguments to persuade her to buy it. We then found a huge shop selling all sorts of leather goods, where we would end up spending the most intense two-hours negotiation. It was my turn to get “the best price”. I used the “socialization” strategy, engaging in an interesting conversation with the sellers about their country, Iran, their family, their work and listening emphatically to their problems.

My strategy eventually paid off as we got a huge discount after which we decided to use the money saved to treat ourselves to dinner with some delicious fiorentina steaks in one of the myriad osterie hidden in the narrow cobblestone streets of Florence.

leather market photo courtesy of Shazana Andrabi

By Yuliya Chorna, Ukraine

Before arriving to Bologna I read through the participants’ bios and wondered how the Bologna Symposium would meet the expectations of such a diverse group of people. As we are diverse not only in terms of professional experience and academic backgrounds, but also in terms of cultures and lifestyles. Now, after two weeks of intense studies, I realize that the Symposium has been organized in a way to satisfy a wide spectrum of interests. For example, on Friday we were lucky to have three Speakers with unique expertise. It was a final day for skills training in negotiation taught by Dr. Anthony Wanis-St. John. He not only shared tactics used in negotiation but in turn became the model facilitator. He perfectly felt the group’s dynamics and implying his remarkable sense of humor engaged the audience and speakers into discussion. I especially liked the discussion on cross-cultural negotiations and tips on how to act as a good negotiator but at the same time prevent oneself from being taken advantage of. I also liked the point of reputation which is critical, especially if one is oriented toward building  long-term relationships. Then, the curriculum included a presentation by a mediation expert, Mr. Jeffrey Mapendere who shared his experience of mediation with rebels groups.

I cannot find the words other than just deep admiration of the courage of this man who directly dealt with various armed movements. What I found interesting, is that in preparation for mediation with rebels you need to understand both context (local, domestic and international) and the psychological processes of people you are going to talk with. It is also critical to assess the risks for yourself and the rebels if you going to meet with them. It is a tough job for a mediator to stay impartial, but this is a necessary precondition for gaining credibility and becoming known in the field. Finally, in accord with the normative framework, we had a presentation on international negotiation and principles of Responsibility to Protect (R2P) by Professor Gareth Evans, an expert who spent twenty-one years in Australian political arena, led Brussels-based International Crisis Group from 2000 – 2009 and who currently serves as a Chancellor of the Australian National University.

The remarkable feature in the debates on designing R2P was the language shift – from the right of the international community to intervene in the internal affairs of the States to the responsibility in assisting States in capacity building and if necessary intervening for protection of its population from mass atrocities. Reflecting on Friday’s experiences of participation in the Symposium and expert insights, I see the opportunity to implement the knowledge and tools of conflict prevention and resolution at different levels (micro, mezzo and macro) in the work relevant to my professional and personal endeavors.

by Charlotte Nicol, UK/Australia

At the end of an intense week of the skills training and speaker presentations which made up our second week here in Bologna, I know I am not the only one of my fellow participants who feels a sense, not only of exhaustion, but also of inspiration and awe at the remarkable experiences of the speakers and trainers we have had the privilege of listening to this week.

On Friday we concluded our three days of negotiations skills training under the expert guidance of Dr. Anthony Wanis-St John. Highlights of day’s session included three elements critical to conducting a successful negotiation process: tactics of reframing conflict to enable mutually beneficial outcomes, cross cultural awareness, and the ethical dimensions of negotiation. Our three days training with Dr. Wanis-St John have been beneficial in better understanding how negotiation processes work, and in preparing us with practical tools for engaging in negotiation ourselves.

Interspersed with our negotiation training on Friday were two presentations from experts in peace building. Our first speaker, Jeffrey Mapendere is currently a Senior Advisor on Peace Process Design on the United Nations Mediation Support Unit’s Standby Team of Experts. He spoke of his own personal experiences in negotiating with rebel groups is various conflicts, providing fascinating insights into the dangerous situations he has entered into in support of peace building processes. Mapendere highlighted the importance of engaging with, rather than excluding, rebel groups in conflict resolution processes. In order to do this effectively, he insisted on the importance of understanding the characteristics of each rebel group, grasping the core positions and interests at stake in the conflict in question, and identifying your role as the negotiator and the influences, positive and negative, that you may have in the outcome. The presentation covered a perfect balance of personal insights and practical recommendations for building peace through engagement with all parties to conflict.

Our second speaker for the day was Gareth Evans who, among many varied and prestigious roles throughout his career, was co-chair of the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty (ICISS) in 2001, which produced the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) report. Evans gave an overview of the R2P concept itself and the negotiation process he and the ICISS went through in developing the concept itself, and its later adoption by all UN member states at the World Summit in 2005. Not only did this presentation demonstrate the challenges of building consensus in international, multilateral negotiation processes and how to do it successfully, but it also was particularly valuable for participants in understanding the principles behind the R2P concept at a critical juncture in its, given its current application in Libya. Evans’ openness and frankness set a tone for the presentation that enabled participants to gain real insights into one of the most significant normative concepts in peace building today.

by Nirmanusan Balasundaram, Sri Lanka

Since the beginning of the IPSI program, I began to feel the emergence of a special energy within myself.

I entered into Johns Hopkins, SAIS auditorium last Friday filled in with this transformative energy within me. My aim of the day was to take on the afternoon session and expand my knowledge about the Responsibility to Protect (R2P). Personally, R2P doctrine remains as a ‘hope for hopeless’ and a ‘voice for Voiceless’.

The key lecture was given by the legend of the R2P doctrine, Prof. Gareth Evans. The lecture contained the significant steps of the whole R2P process, from its beginning to the very recent Arab Spring revolution, using the current context of what is going on in Libya. His inspiring lecture gave a holistic view about the emergence and the journey of the R2P. The enriching experience shared by Prof. Evans comprised the milestones and challenges that he faced to give a smooth breath to the pragmatic implementation of R2P. While he was speaking, I felt a spark in my mind, a revolution in my thoughts, and hope in my heart. It is my perception that R2P and International Criminal Court (ICC) are two sides of the same coin. At the same time, we have to understand the challenges ahead as international relations remain arguably complex.

In the end, let us be patient, optimistic and hopeful that the R2P will give a pragmatic meaning for the text document, rather than repeated slogan like “never again”.

by Luna Kalas, Bosnia

Although it is amazing to have an opportunity to listen and work with people like Betty Bigombe, Álvaro de Soto and Anthony Wanis-St. John, it is even a greater opportunity to have dinner with them!

Among the numerous options IPSI offers during the symposium, one of the best is the opportunity for students to go to dinner with the speakers they would like to meet in a more intimate environment, and I sincerely thank them for that. So, off I went on Wednesday night with Betty, Álvaro and Anthony and a couple of students that share my interests to an ancient restaurant in which the phrase Bologna la grassa really comes to mind.

Ms. Betty Bigombe negotiated with Joseph Kony. Mr. Álvaro de Soto negotiated a peace agreement in El Salvador; worked in the Middle East and has spent most of his professional life in UN, an organization that I admire and question very passionately! We spent time talking about a variant of the TRC in the Balkans. Mr Anthony Wanis-St. John, an amazing negotiator and a teacher, went from one place to another to help people find solutions to their problems. He told me something really valuable: sometimes you run into people or collectives who will rather see both themselves and you sink, than to see you both win. And in this case, a negotiation process as we learn it in

schools simply isn’t applicable. Although quite a depressive statement, it gave a new color to my thoughts about the negative peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

These fantastic and inspiring individuals share a vision that connects them. But what connects them even more is their spontaneous approach to us, the students; their kindness, willingness to listen, their humor and their straightforwardness. I wish more people in peacemaking arena would keep this attitude.

by Charly Jaffe, U.S.A.

Before recalling the events of the day, I must make a confession: I am a bit of a rookie at this conference. And I like it. Instead of sitting in class with other inexperienced undergraduates, I am surrounded by 65 extraordinary people from around the globe whose diverse perspectives reflect their diverse experiences. I am fully aware of how incredibly lucky I am to be here, and have been doing my best to soak it all up. But the negotiation simulations with Dr. Anthony Wanis-St. John don’t just let me sit back and observe. They push me to apply the concepts we have learnt about the complex process of multi-lateral negotiations and to elevate my game.

Our negotiation simulation today regarding the funding and construction of a deep water port in Sri Lanka post-civil war, was increasingly complex, with a point system quantifying our different priorities. There obviously had to be some push and pull in these negotiations, but none of us knew the other participants’ exact priorities and some sneaky spoilers were ready to stop the deal at any time. I quite enjoyed keeping others guessing what my priorities were throughout the process, and was elated when our arguments and back-channel discussions finally led to a deal. Although this process was much more simple than any real life negotiations of this caliber would be, actually participating in the process gave much more meaning to the concepts we had learned.

In the afternoon we had the honor and privilege of hearing one of the most courageous and impressive negotiators this world has seen. When Betty Bigombe walked into the room, you could feel her presence. Speaking with an endearing sense of humility, Betty began by apologizing if she bored us over the course of the next two hours. But I’m not sure if it is possible for her to bore anyone, and I sat on the edge of my seat as she relayed stories of risking her life while getting to know the infamous Joseph Kony and dealing with the communities he had destroyed. When asked how she kept going and remained motivated in such a frustrating and mentally draining process, Betty did not talk about balance or keeping her spirits up. Instead, she looked out at us, with an intensity you could feel, and recalled the victims who had persevered even after they had been raped, their children had been abducted and turned into killers, or their families massacred. It is these people that drive me, she proclaimed, I am out to save the world. And so are you, otherwise you wouldn’t be here.

To have such a brave, real live hero relate to me like that was both powerful and surreal. Betty Bigombe is one in a million, and while I don’t expect that we will all achieve feats as great as hers, it certainly put the pressure on us to elevate our game.

by Sascha Nanlohy, Australia

Rather than discussing, as I am sure many will, the amazing training given by Dr. Wanis-St. John and the incisive analysis of Joyce Neu I would like to speak about the Bologna experience outside the classroom. Today was an example of highs and lows.

Although our day began officially at 8am and finished after six there is still a buzz at the end of the day as to what the evening will bring. For me it was a mixture of trying to empty my mind of the academic rigors of the day in order to prepare myself for an emotional experience. Football or for the Americans ‘soccer’ was the best way to empty our minds so through some very quick negotiations a group decided to meet by the hotel lawn to have a kick around.

Following the game and the requisite showers we all joined the group led by summer staff member Lucy Ladira at a screening of the documentary Uganda Rising. The film tells the horrifying and heartbreaking story of the Acholi people of Northern Uganda. Those people who in the traditional African proverb became the grass trampled in the fight between the elephants that were the Lord’s Resistance Army and the Government of Uganda. I shall not explain or summarize the film except to repeat the advice offered to those who missed the screening “watch it, but be prepared to cry”. At the end of the screening nobody moved, or spoke for several minutes.

Being able to watch a film offering the historical narrative of a persons life who is sitting with you in a room is a powerful experience that I value so highly. To have studied the LRA conflict as I have gives you only a fraction of the conflict, it gives us the detailed battle of the elephants, not the grass. And so being able to ask questions and discuss these issues with someone who lives them enriches our learning. Looking ahead to Betty Bigombe tomorrow my mind is buzzing with questions and ideas.

IPSI Bologna does not start at 8 or 9am with classes. It starts with picking any table at breakfast filled with fascinating colleagues. It does not end at 6pm with the breakout groups. It ends with a kick around, a somber and moving story and the permanent availability of someone to accompany you to find a final fix of gelato for the day.

by Maddy Bowditch, Australia

I arrived at the SAIS Bologna Centre Yesterday at 7:59, albeit bleary eyed, eager to begin our first day of Negotiation Skills Training with Dr. Anthony Wanis-St John. My excitement was only increased when our session began with a short clip on haggling skills from none other than Monty Python (I always knew it was educational). From there we went through different aspects of negotiation, with a demonstration which literally pulled some participants off their feet, to illustrate the common assumption that one side’s gain would be the other side’s loss. Particularly important for me was learning about the concept of the ‘Shadow of the Future’, and the effect that it can have on negotiations, as well as the value of Psychological Reframing.

We were soon given the opportunity to put our new found theoretical knowledge to the test with a cleverly devised simulation, commencing just before lunch. The entire group was given a basic outline of the simulation context before breaking into specific roles, where we were provided with more information on what our stance should be in the upcoming negotiations. Following lunch, it was go-time. I, the youngest of the 2011 class, somehow ended up representing the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), who became the mediator in negotiations – whilst also representing the interests of the silenced NGO groups in the region, and persuading a very uncooperative government to kindly allow us to rebuild ‘Brotherhood Bridge’. Talking about diving into the deep end! Once we got into it, however, the simulation was an amazing experience in practical negotiation. We even cut into our coffee break!

For me, the simulation was the highlight of my day, as I felt I was able to successfully reframe the issue in a way that brought all the negotiators back to the table and enabled us to reach an agreement. I achieved this through the establishment of a ‘Common Need’, which builds on the concept that we learned last week from Dr. William Zartman that parties will not negotiate until they feel that it is in their best interests to do so. I also utilized ‘back channels’, which allow for leaders to talk directly and express views that may not otherwise be possible in a larger group. I feel that I was able to apply the concept of leadership without authority, and achieved a fair amount of success in something that I have had no prior experience in. The Symposium has been such a learning experience for me. I am excited to learn more about negotiation skills from such a brilliant teacher.