TRUCE 2020.

Truce 2020 project is for young people aged between 16-21 years old who live in the borough of Newham and would like to make a positive change in their community.

Through the project, young people are equipped with conflict resolution skills that support them in developing conflict resolution related projects, addressing the issues of community development and peace building on a local, national and even international level.

This is achieved in 3 stages:

Stage 1 is the 10 week course, one evening a week is Open College Network accredited. The ‘Workshop for Peacebuilder’ course is delivered by Conflict and Change’s trainers who train a group of 20 young people in conflict resolution, mediation and design and facilitation of a workshop. The course is held at a youth centre in Newham.

Midway through, trainees get the chance to go on a fully funded residential course for a couple of days  away from London. This gives everyone the chance to get to know each other better, explore some issues we are covering in more depth and we also do some outdoor activities like climbing, canoeing or high ropes.

Kayaking on the residential

Stage 2 of the programme is an international peace builder experience offered through Peace Direct. The Truce participants have a unique and empowering opportunity to meet and share their experience with an international peacebuilder, who shares their experiences and knowledge about mobilising co0mmunities in a ‘hot’ conflict area.

So far, Truce groups have worked with peacebuilders from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sri Lanka, Kashmir and Mozambique.

Stage 3 is the community project development phase offered through Conflict and Change and Peace Direct. This is a crucial element of the Truce 20/20 programme, when after the training all the participants go on to deliver and develop varied peace building projects in their community, benefiting more young people. The young Truce 20/20 participants have been involved in a wide range of projects and events where they have not only delivered workshops related to conflict resolution but acted as young role models and active participants ( volunteers ) on a local, national and even international level.

Truce 20/20 is continuously working on providing young poeple with short term opportunities to use their skills but also opportunities to participate on a more long term basis in projects and programmes that compliment and develop their talents and interests.

There’s also an annual showcase event where we show local councillors, MP’s youth leaders and  other “decision makers” what Truce 2020 is all about. 

Truce exercise to explore underlying anger at the 'Breaking the Boundaries' showcase event