From November 12–19, 2024, we had the incredible opportunity to take part in the “Diverse Voices, Common Needs: Building Peaceful Communities Together” training course in Antwerp, Belgium. Hosted by Service Civil International (SCI) as part of their Peace in Diversity project, this event brought together 35 participants from 11 countries (and even more nationalities) for an unforgettable week of learning, growing, and connecting. As two young women from Macedonia, we were excited to join a group of passionate people from all around Europe and beyond, united by a common goal: learning how to foster peace in our communities. And let’s just say, we came away with much more than we expected! A Global Learning Experience When you put 35 people from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds in one room, the learning opportunities are endless. The course, co-funded by the European Union, was designed to give us the skills we need to be active promoters of peace in our daily lives—whether it’s at work, in our local communities, or even with the people we meet on the street. What made this training especially impactful was the fact that we didn’t just talk about peace. We experienced it—on every level. From improving our inner peace (yes, we got better at not stressing out in hectic situations), to learning how to connect and collaborate with others from totally different cultures, we were constantly engaging with the concept of peace in practical, real-world ways.
Soft Skills: Learning to Communicate Across Cultures One of the highlights of the training was the focus on soft skills. And when we say “soft skills,” we mean everything from active listening to learning how to handle stressful situations with a calm mind. With participants from so many different countries, communication wasn’t always straightforward. But that’s where the magic happened. We learned how to listen with empathy, communicate without judgment, and approach conversations with an open mind—skills we can now apply in our work and personal lives.
Inner Peace, Interpersonal Peace, and Peace with Nature The training focused on three core levels of peace: intrapersonal peace (inner peace), interpersonal peace (peace with others), and peace with nature. Through interactive workshops, discussions, and group activities, we learned practical tools for sustaining peace at each of these levels. Intrapersonal Peace: Learning how to manage stress and create mindfulness practices in our daily routines has had a huge impact. We can already feel the difference in how we approach challenges. Interpersonal Peace: Connecting with people from such diverse backgrounds gave us the tools to resolve conflicts peacefully and build stronger, more empathetic relationships. Peace with Nature: Although this wasn’t the main focus, we were reminded of the importance of connecting with the environment as part of the bigger picture of peace. Collaboration and Creativity in Action The course wasn’t just about lectures and theory. We spent a lot of time working in smaller groups, collaborating on projects and sharing ideas. This approach really helped us connect and get the most out of the experience. We worked on creating action plans for bringing peacebuilding practic
Looking Ahead: Multiplying Peace in Macedonia As we look back at the week in Antwerp, we feel energized and inspired to continue our journey as peacebuilders. The tools, skills, and confidence we gained from this training will help us promote peace on a micro level back home in Macedonia. Whether it’s through helping others manage stress, encouraging mindfulness, or simply being better listeners, we know we can make a difference. We are also excited to share what we learned with our local communities and hopefully inspire others to become multipliers of peace, just as we were inspired during this course. It’s all about small, everyday actions that contribute to a bigger change.
The Peace in Diversity training course was everything we hoped for and more. It provided us with the tools, knowledge, and connections to be active promoters of peace, and we’re so grateful for the opportunity to participate. We’re bringing home not just lessons about peacebuilding, but about human connection, collaboration, and creating a positive impact in our own communities. So here’s to being peacebuilders—on the inside, with others, and with the world around us! #PeaceInDiversity #SCI #PoweredByJINT #ErasmusPlus#No