Updates
October 2008
Peacebuilding Trainings
As part of its service to the Outward Bound network of schools, and in support of Outward Bound Peacebuilding programs, the Outward Bound Center for Peacebuilding is offering specialized trainings to experienced Outward Bound instructors to develop and strengthen their diversity awareness, dialogue facilitation, conflict resolution and management skills. The trainings provide instructors with journey-based, on-site experiences that mirror the peacebuilding programs the instructors themselves will be delivering to Outward Bound Peacebuilding program participants.
This October, fourteen instructors from Outward Bound Sri Lanka along with several members of the management and leadership of the organization participated in a training and exchange of best practices at Outward Bound Sri Lanka’s base camp in Dumbulla, Sri Lanka. The training was led by Ian Randall and Paul Louis, seasoned instructors who have worked with Outward Bound and other wilderness and leadership training programs over the years, and who have expertise in facilitating conflict-related issues.
The Middle East program planned for early 2009 will similarly be preceded by an intensive peacebuilding training of twelve Outward Bound instructors. These same instructors will, along with those from Sri Lanka, form an initial cadre equipped to deliver peacebuilding programs and offer trainings to other Outward Bound instructors throughout the world.
The curriculum used for the Outward Bound trainings is based on the experience of Outward Bound North Carolina’s Unity Program, Outward Bound International’s Global Leadership Program, and input from partners and experts in the field. These resources continue to inform the activities and methodology intrinsic to Outward Bound Peacebuilding's philosophy and approach to building character and cohesive groups. It is grounded in the current social psychology theory of how contact based programs work most effectively, and within a framework that supports sustainable results.
Project Updates
Middle East
The recruiting process for participants of the year-long Outward Bound/Search for Common Ground Palestinian-Israeli Social Entrepreneurs Program is being conducted by Search for Common Ground and will continue through the month of October. The program seeks to recruit an equal representation of Israeli and Palestinian social entrepreneurs, ages 25-40, with a track record of 2-3 years of demonstrated experience implementing innovative solutions to social challenges. The joint program will be launched in early 2009 with an intensive Outward Bound expedition, followed by group and one-on-one coaching sessions by Search for Common Ground throughout the year. Joint refresher programs combining Outward Bound peacebuilding methodology with SFCG’s Wisdom Leadership coaching techniques are planned.
Rwanda
During the first three quarters of 2008, the Outward Bound Center for Peacebuilding has provided seed grants to Outward Bound Rwanda on a quarterly basis to support its capacity building, and has also provided a consultant to OBR who fulfills both advisory and grant monitoring roles. In late September, OBCP board member Steve Hassenfelt attended the Friends of Rwanda Collaborative Meeting and Presidential Dinner in New York City with Rwandan President Paul Kagame and with others involved in projects in Rwanda.
Sri Lanka
The core outdoor experience of the Outward Bound Sri Lanka Journalist Leadership Program, serving staff and students of the Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI) College of Journalism, is being delivered this month. The program participants are active journalists and journalism students whose composition reflects the diversity of Sri Lanka's various communities.
Fourteen highly experienced Outward Bound Sri Lanka instructors are delivering the program, which includes specialized conflict resolution and management exercises as well as Outward Bound’s team-building activities utilizing physical and mental challenges to engender trust, compassion and group cohesion. Participants will rock climb, raft, and participate in a community service project.
Throughout the following year, the participant group will continue to work together through their involvement with the Sri Lanka Press Institute and through several Outward Bound refresher programs that are designed to remind and reinforce the initial Outward Bound catalytic experience, provide support, and be a forum for open exchange on the challenges and successes participants experience of transferring learnings to their own daily personal and professional lives.