On Monday, 7 July, we began the “Peace Across The Sea” online training course with the first webinar, which focused on Peace education. Through the course, participants from Australia and Indonesia will learn more about the SCI (Service Civil International) approach to Peace work, conflict resolution, project management, and project coordination. A follow-up phase will involve them in local action and workcamps organised by IVP Australia and IVP Indonesia. We thank SCI International for the financial support.

The meeting was conducted by Mauro from SCI Italy, who has experience in several SCI trainings related to youth and Peace education, along with activists from IVP Australia and Bhumi Horta Foundation. We were very much looking forward to meeting the motivated participants to share and discuss. 

The participant was introduced to SCI and its history, which started in 1920 in Esnes-en-Argonne, France, by Pierre Cérésole. This work camp aimed to rebuild the war-damaged village and symbolize reconciliation between France and Germany after World War I. The story went to the inspiring project by GAIA Kosovo and the Tent of Nations in Palestine. All participants and facilitators discussed how SCI works, as well as its strengths and weaknesses. 

The participant was so fascinated by the SCI that it has been done in several places. Not to forget that we also support SCI movements nowadays, with 132 Organizations in 92 Countries all around the world. The work also explores several themes related to Peace, including the environment, culture, children, gender equality, and education. The approach of SCI to bridge the differences and cultures enables people from diverse perspectives and ways of life to come together, sing, eat, work, and laugh.