In our interview series, entitled “Peace Talks”, we speak to peacemakers with different backgrounds and life stories, and ask them to share their thoughts and reflections.
This edition of "Peace Talks" features Sia Xinyu from Raffles Girls' School:
Q: How did you feel about the Peacemakers Conference 2017?
I stepped into Peacemaker’s Conference 2017 expecting to learn nothing more than the basic mediation procedures, but actually stepped out with a whole new bank of knowledge about so much more! It was a fulfilling experience that I am extremely grateful to have been given, and I know the participants of this year’s Conference will enjoy it as much as I did!
Q: What was your favourite part of the Conference?
My favourite part would definitely have to be meeting new people and learning from them. As we were split into different groups, we all had to chance to interact with students from different schools. Listening to my groupmates' opinions really helped to broaden my horizon as I heard from viewpoints I would have never even thought of. Of course, interactions include making new friends and I’m thankful to have been placed in a really friendly group (shoutout to gwy, jingyi, farzana, emily and hong jun!) right from the beginning ( ´∀｀ )♡
Q: What is an example of you applying what you learned in the Conference in real life?
It would have to be between my team members of a project, and what made things complicated was that they were both close friends of mine. The process was not easy at all, and what one of the presenters shared during the Conference last year will always stick with me: “It’s always the hardest mediating for people you care deeply about”. It’s very true, but we also have to remember that a simple “I understand” can go a long way in detangling a conflict.
Q: If you had one piece of advice for incoming participants of the Peacemakers Conference 2018, what would it be?
Open your eyes, ears, and most importantly, heart! Don’t be scared of the Conference because there’ll be many helpful and (really) cheerful facilitators around to guide you, so just have fun and learn as much as you can ~ All the best! ( •̀ᄇ• ́)ﻭ✧
For more pictures and videos of the Peacemakers Conference 2017, please visit the Peacemakers Facebook Page.
As Singapore’s leading peer mediation experts, Peacemakers has an extensive track record of managing and delivering conflict resolution training for youth at both local and international levels. If you would like to train your youth to better manage conflict, let us know how we can help via email at mediate@peacemakers.sg.
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