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THE PEN &        BLOG  

How to help facilitate conflict in times of trouble

Updated: Feb 4


In a world full of differences, stories are an important tool for helping us to understand, heal, and show empathy. Whether it's those old tales passed down through generations or the effects of a social media moment, stories have this special knack for bringing people together, crossing all boundaries, and shaping how we see the world. I recently had the honour of capturing a highly poignant gathering involving Palestinian and Israeli women at the London School of Economics, and below is what I'd learned with regards to storytelling.

  1. The Transformative Nature of Stories Stories have always played a central role in human culture, serving as vessels of knowledge, values, and emotions. They have the power to break down barriers, and facilitate healing. The session between the group of women demonstrated how sharing personal narratives can help individuals mourn and find common ground. Stories become a catalyst for understanding, enabling us to step into someone else's shoes and recognize our shared humanity.

  2. Visuals: Increasing the power of messages. These visuals serve as complementary elements that engage the senses, heighten emotional connection, and reinforce key messages. When integrated thoughtfully, visuals not only captivate audiences but also deepen their understanding of complex issues. In the context of the facilitated gathering, the use of visual recordings enabled the participants to visualize their stories and experiences in a tangible and lasting way.

  3. Letting Go: Stories That Transcend Boundaries: One profound aspect of storytelling is its ability to transcend the boundaries of the storyteller. As the participants in the facilitated gathering shared their stories, they embraced vulnerability and relinquished ownership over their narratives. They recognized that their stories, once released, could inspire others, evoke empathy, and contribute to the larger narrative of peacebuilding. The act of letting go empowers stories to venture into the world, fostering connection and fostering change.

  4. Visuals help with liberation: By capturing stories in a visual format, individuals can preserve their essence while allowing them to be disseminated and understood by a wider audience. Graphic recording, for example, can transform complex narratives into accessible visual representations that resonate with viewers. This ensures that the stories, no longer bound to their original tellers, continue to carry their transformative power.

  5. The Ripple Effect: Storytelling and Conflict Resolution: Stories have the potential to ripple outward, creating a chain reaction that fosters understanding and reconciliation. By sharing personal experiences and connecting with the narratives of others, individuals contribute to a broader conversation that challenges preconceptions, builds empathy, and promotes dialogue. The facilitated session between the Palestinian and Israeli women demonstrated how stories, supported by visuals, can serve as a bridge for conflict resolution, laying the groundwork for healing and understanding.

So, when we bring visuals into the mix of storytelling, something pretty magical happens. It takes things to a whole new level, adding layers of meaning, getting us more engaged, and making a real impact. I was amazing to see how the recent gathering created empathy, helped people mourn their loved ones, and allowed stories to be shared with the world. It made me understand how storytelling and visuals together have this incredible ability to go beyond personal experiences and actually bring about change in our interconnected world!

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