Transforming Family Conflict contributes to the larger programming and resource development goals relevant to healing and transforming family conflict/violence. Through offering advanced training and mobilization services throughout a network of partners and community peacebuilders, Peace Bridges will directly support relevant family peace education training. The expected impact is to promote healthy family relations in Cambodian communities, as well as to prevent and heal family conflict/violence, by equipping and mobilizing these community peacebuilders.
Step 1: In August 2008, Peace Bridges hired a new staff member to work with 2 expatriate advisors to build staff capacity and explore appropriate ways for Peace Bridges to address these needs. This included completion of the small case study research project.
Step 2: From August to December 2009, a team of Peace Bridges staff will begin designing a training program on cultivating peaceful families. This design team will work closely with two advisory committees. One group of expatriate members with experience and expertise relevant to family conflict/violence will monitor design and content quality. A second group of Cambodian community members will test the cultural appropriateness of the lessons.
Step 3: A pilot program will be conducted January – June 2010. It is anticipated that this training will become an ongoing course, offered annually (2011 and 2012), providing specialized training for participants of Conflict Counseling and Mediation Training working with families.
Step 4: Peace Bridges staff will support participants in developing and implementing family peace education training and services in their own circles of influence (July 2010 – June 2012).
Step 5 and beyond: Ongoing staff capacity (relevant to family conflict/violence) and partnerships are developed. By the end of the initial 3 year project cycle, staff will make recommendations on future program directions. Possibilities include: men's support groups, women's support groups, premarital counseling training, family mediation training, etc.
