Last summer, the American Friends of the Parents Circle successfully raised funds that went towards training 45 Israeli and Palestinian women to become stronger leaders for peace. The trainings have strengthened their capacity to facilitate dialogue meetings, improved their public speaking skills and provided them with storytelling coaching from veteran facilitators.
With more trained female facilitators, the Parents Circle is better equipped to hold “Women to Women” Dialogue meetings. Newly trained female facilitators have held two Women to Women Dialogue Meetings since their training. By sharing their personal narratives of loss and and their choice of reconciliation, the women draw the groups together. Individuals from the “other side” are no longer seen as enemies to be hated or feared but as humans who want to be acknowledged and respected.
This past weekend, more than 150 Israeli and Palestinian Parents Circle members, staff and alumni of the Parents Circle’s Narrative Project marched together in solidarity at the Freedom March in honor of International Women’s Day.As part of PCFF’s “Narratives for Change” project, Israeli and Palestinian women come together regularly for “Women to Women” Dialogue meetings. Here, the participants are given a safe space to share personal narratives about those they’ve lost in the conflict, and to share questions, expectations, fears, and hopes about ongoing reconciliation and peace efforts.
Thank you to all who generously contributed to our Indiegogo campaign and for helping make this opportunity possible for so many women!