Peace-Building
DANCING THROUGH WALLS
Land of No Today
How It Started
Bethan and Stefan have played a key role introducing Circle dance at a Middle East Peace conference (IFLAC London 2002) and an international NVC conference on nonviolent communication (London, June 2004).
In 2005 and 2008, Stefan led "peace, culture and dance" events with international groups in Israel. Some workshops brought together Palestinian and Israeli participants.
In 2009, following on from this, Stefan together with Nomi Sharron, Ken Masters founded ‘DANCING THROUGH WALLS’. The aim is to explore in depth how circle dances and complementary community activities can contribute in peace and reconciliation processes. Further, to develop new formats in which dance and other creative arts combined may help in trauma release and conflict transformation.
Vision and Practical Aims
What contribution can dance, music and participatory arts make in the fields of conflict?
Protest, sanctions, political pressure and force only rarely achieve the justice and peace that people are struggling for. So while greatly respecting those who are fighting for justice on the political front, we see the need for complementary resources which touch the feelings.
Key components include dance, movement, music and song, visual arts, film, theatre arts, and storytelling,
All sessions are accessible, and require no previous experience or special aptitude. The aim is to explore possibilities and to develop common ground. This fosters shared projects, enlivened communication, and creative approaches to conflict situations. We see the arts as a missing key to successful dialogue and negotiation.
Sessions are tailored to support peace initiatives and bridge-building among diverse groups. The aim is to create a palpable experience of interconnection while validating cultural and individual differences.
As well as specific workshops and trainings, Dancing Through Walls offers an international support network. Creative peace-workers can collaborate, share admin and fundraising, learn from one-another‘s experience.
Below is an innovative interactive workshop designed by Stefan. It can be hosted online or in a physical space.
IN OR OUT! - EXPLORING GROUP IDENTITY
How is group identity formed?
How do groups deal
- with conflict?
- With other cultures?
- With new people joining?
- With threats or loss of territory?
These themes are explored in an experiential, interactive way.
The workshop is lively and memorable, yielding many insights.
Stefan has also developed a ten day Peace & Diversity festival called ‘Keys For Peace’.
Stefan’s 2 short films made with artist Lois Cordelia ae examples of arts that change hearts.
Malka
Land of No Today
It’s In Your Hands
At the time of writing, due partly to Covid-19 restrictions and partly to Stefan being over-committed and needing to generate income, Dancing Through Walls is a burning vision without a lot currently taking place. Yet with recent huge influxes of refugees, many traumatised, the need is greater than ever for this area of work to be developed and to serve society.
Stefan’s aim is to create a team of interested people with diverse resources, creative, practical and technical, to vitalise this resource.
Participate?
• Write to us about your work and share your experiences
• Offer skills / run workshops which support creative peace
• Attend a workshop or training. If we see a demand we will arrange a date for an online course. Contact [email protected]
• Host and promote a workshop online. Contact as above
• Join the team and help with admin work. Contact as above
• Donate project-dedicated funds. Contact [email protected]
Land of No Today
How It Started
Bethan and Stefan have played a key role introducing Circle dance at a Middle East Peace conference (IFLAC London 2002) and an international NVC conference on nonviolent communication (London, June 2004).
In 2005 and 2008, Stefan led "peace, culture and dance" events with international groups in Israel. Some workshops brought together Palestinian and Israeli participants.
In 2009, following on from this, Stefan together with Nomi Sharron, Ken Masters founded ‘DANCING THROUGH WALLS’. The aim is to explore in depth how circle dances and complementary community activities can contribute in peace and reconciliation processes. Further, to develop new formats in which dance and other creative arts combined may help in trauma release and conflict transformation.
Vision and Practical Aims
What contribution can dance, music and participatory arts make in the fields of conflict?
Protest, sanctions, political pressure and force only rarely achieve the justice and peace that people are struggling for. So while greatly respecting those who are fighting for justice on the political front, we see the need for complementary resources which touch the feelings.
Key components include dance, movement, music and song, visual arts, film, theatre arts, and storytelling,
All sessions are accessible, and require no previous experience or special aptitude. The aim is to explore possibilities and to develop common ground. This fosters shared projects, enlivened communication, and creative approaches to conflict situations. We see the arts as a missing key to successful dialogue and negotiation.
Sessions are tailored to support peace initiatives and bridge-building among diverse groups. The aim is to create a palpable experience of interconnection while validating cultural and individual differences.
As well as specific workshops and trainings, Dancing Through Walls offers an international support network. Creative peace-workers can collaborate, share admin and fundraising, learn from one-another‘s experience.
Below is an innovative interactive workshop designed by Stefan. It can be hosted online or in a physical space.
IN OR OUT! - EXPLORING GROUP IDENTITY
How is group identity formed?
How do groups deal
- with conflict?
- With other cultures?
- With new people joining?
- With threats or loss of territory?
These themes are explored in an experiential, interactive way.
The workshop is lively and memorable, yielding many insights.
Stefan has also developed a ten day Peace & Diversity festival called ‘Keys For Peace’.
Stefan’s 2 short films made with artist Lois Cordelia ae examples of arts that change hearts.
Malka
Land of No Today
It’s In Your Hands
At the time of writing, due partly to Covid-19 restrictions and partly to Stefan being over-committed and needing to generate income, Dancing Through Walls is a burning vision without a lot currently taking place. Yet with recent huge influxes of refugees, many traumatised, the need is greater than ever for this area of work to be developed and to serve society.
Stefan’s aim is to create a team of interested people with diverse resources, creative, practical and technical, to vitalise this resource.
Participate?
• Write to us about your work and share your experiences
• Offer skills / run workshops which support creative peace
• Attend a workshop or training. If we see a demand we will arrange a date for an online course. Contact [email protected]
• Host and promote a workshop online. Contact as above
• Join the team and help with admin work. Contact as above
• Donate project-dedicated funds. Contact [email protected]