What students say about Workable Peace

CRLS Student Comments

"By giving us the opportunity to solve something I think you made it seem less like school work and more like grown-up work that we [will] realistically have to deal with when we grow up."

"This whole idea of debating -- negotiating and trying to resolve a serious matter in this way was a whole new concept to me... The challenge for me was trying to get my point across in a way which made sense, while trying to hear, understand and maybe even accept what the other side was saying."

"I don't think everyone realizes how useful these skills can be...You can use the same skills in everyday life.

"In my opinion, this [role play] gave us a better opportunity to be able to truly understand the relations between the parties, rather than simply being told about the conflict."

"I, being a Mayan, needed to negotiate... It was as though the life of a thousand people depended on me and whether they lived peacefully or got killed was up to how well I negotiated."

"Negotiation also taught me that not only is offering ideas important, but listening and acknowledging others' ideas is just as crucial."

"I learned that to negotiate successfully I must learn what I wanted, what my interests were, and what I wanted to accomplish. . . If I want to accomplish something, I must know the opposing group too is looking for their interest. I must learn to explore their needs and concerns. . ."

"I learned that productive negotiation is a hard thing to accomplish . . . Not only did this role play teach me about the history of Guatemalan culture and politics, but about peaceful negotiation and what it takes to create a society in which all members feel accepted and independent."

"Things just aren't as they seem on paper; when emotions come into play, it changes things and sometimes irrationalizes people. . . Over a week at the negotiating table has taught me a few things. It has shown me I shouldn't let myself get blinded by emotion or caught-up in pent-up rage -- that only slows things and complicates the process of coming to an agreement."

"I learned that negotiations are a lot easier said than done. In these negotiations I sometimes got so caught up in what I was trying to get, as did the other groups, we forgot that the real thing we were trying to do . . . You are putting trust in those you hate most. If the groups cannot do this and are continually on their guard no one is going to get what they want."

"The negotiations only work when everyone compromises. Otherwise nothing can be achieved, and I think that is a good lesson in life."