Ghion Peace, Reconciliation and Development Association (GPRDA) successfully conducted a two-day training workshop on peacebuilding through theatrical performance in Aykel town from June 16 to 17, 2025. The initiative funded by Internews brought together 25 young people from various art clubs and theatre groups, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to use art as a tool for conflict resolution and community reconciliation.
The training aimed to strengthen the capacity of youth to understand peace, peacebuilding, and conflict dynamics, while fostering their ability to conceptualize and stage theatre productions that address social divisions. Sessions covered a wide range of topics, including the meaning and culture of peace, stages of peacebuilding, conflict analysis tools such as the “conflict tree” and “conflict map,” and the transformative role of artistic expression in promoting dialogue and social cohesion.
Participants engaged in interactive discussions, group work, and reflective exercises that broadened their perspectives on conflict and peace. The program emphasized how theatre can go beyond entertainment to serve as a powerful instrument for healing, reconciliation, and cooperation among diverse communities.
“We believe young people are central to building peaceful and resilient communities. By integrating theatre into peacebuilding, we are nurturing creative solutions to conflicts and encouraging youth to become agents of change,” said Menychle Meseret, the facilitator of the project.
With their newly acquired skills, the participating youth will go on to develop and perform peace-oriented theatrical productions that address community-level conflicts and promote trust, cooperation, and social cohesion across Aykel town.
