Community representatives in the Bentiu Protection of Civilians (PoC) site participated in workshop aimed at strengthening their capabilities in local level peace dialogue and mediation processes.

A total of 37 community representatives from the Community High Committee, the Traditional Court, youth and women attended the two-day workshop, organized by the UNMISS Civil Affairs Division.

The Bentiu Head of Field Office, Hiroko Hirahara, who opened the workshop, stated that it would enhance understanding of their collective roles in dialogue and mediation as part of conflict management.

Ms. Hiroko emphasized that the skills participants acquire in dialogue and mediation is not only important while they are living in the PoC site but would also be utilized upon their return to their respective localities.

At the end of the workshop, participants were able to identify the different stages and techniques in dialogue and mediation processes and the roles they can each play, individually and as communities, to support reconciliation and peaceful coexistence.

 “Whatever skill you learn today it is not only for PoC, because eventually you are going back to your home. This skill you learn, nobody can take away”, Ms. Hiroko said.

The Community High Committee Chairperson of the Bentiu PoC site, John Gatluok, said he has gained valuable tools for conflict resolution at the local level to use within the PoC site and elsewhere.

 “Today it is good that we come to learn something new. We did not know about conflict resolution management before”, Mr. Gatluok said.

Among the topics covered during the workshop were dialogue and effective communication for conflict management, the inclusive role of women in resolving differences and crime prevention as another way of pre-empting conflicts.