Everett Fellows Learn Constructive Struggle Skills

May 26, 2008

Last weekend, this year’s Everett Social Justice Fellows gathered for a weekend retreat in Arad devoted to in an in-depth study of the theory and practice of constructive struggle. The constructive struggle model attempts to restrain escalation, search for common goals and preserve positive elements in relationships. SHATIL’s Conflict Transformation and Management Center (CTMC) trains NGOs and Israeli decision makers in this model.

At first the students were skeptical: “But we’re not violent!” they claimed.  But an initial exercise, in which they were asked how each of them reacts when  they find themselves in daily situations of conflict --  for instance when another car takes their parking space or they are late to an exam, do they choose confrontation, dialogue, ignoring the action —opened their eyes. An analysis of those reactions led the participants to a deeper understanding of constructive struggle.

Students at the Everett retreat on constructive struggle

Students said they were able to internalize the theory through the practical exercises that related to their lives. Their engagement was evident by their intense involvement in the discussions. 

“The students were thirsty for this knowledge; it was completely new to them,” said Everett Fellowships Coordinator Vered Nuriel Porat. She added that it’s difficult to find a topic that is new and relevant to each of the fellows, who have very different backgrounds, life experience, areas of study and exposure to the world of social change.

Vered added that the concept and the methodologies that derive from it would be helpful to each of the participants in their work for social change and in their personal lives.

One participant expressed the feelings of the group when she wrote: “The experiential exercises enabled us to understand deeply and personally the critical importance of planning: defining messages, using positive language, transparency; how difficult it is to implement these things and how one has to practice restraint and not give in to impulsivity. The integration of theory and practice was fascinating.”