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 Shayne Phee from Raffles Girls' School:
Q: How did you feel about the Peacemakers Conference 2017?
It was a really unique experience as I really enjoyed getting the opportunity to learn and hear from law students themselves and mediators in the workforce! It was enriching to be able to learn the proper and professional way to deal with conflict - something that I'll not be able to learn in the classroom!
Q: What was your favourite part of the Conference?
My favourite part was during the simulations where we either got to act as totally unreasonable people in conflict or act as the mediators trying to intervene and make peace. For one, it was very fun being as unreasonable and angry as I wanted haha! On a more serious note, at the end of the day it was very fulfilling to have the chance to put what I had learnt to the test. When my friends tried to give me a hard time during the simulations, it was actually fun and enriching to be able to practice handling relationships and conflicts. It really taught me a lot about myself and about resolving conflicts, which can come in handy in life.
Q: What is an example of you applying what you learned in the Conference in real life?
Sometimes when planning for events, stress overcomes us and that's when tension starts to build up. Two of my close friends involved in planning for our school carnival had some differences and misunderstandings. This led to them arguing over the words they said that might have hurt each other and the way that things should be run. Using the mediation skills that I had learnt from this conference, I managed to put myself in both their shoes and play the role of the mediator to encourage them to talk it out. They managed to resolve the matter peacefully, and still remain close friends now!
Q: If you had one piece of advice for incoming participants of the Peacemakers Conference 2018, what would it be?
My advice to the participants would be to keep an open mind and to not be afraid to ask questions. I remember due to my curiosity, my friends and I kept asking a lot of questions. Some of our questions even stumped the speaker haha! It can be quite awkward at first, but it is only through clarifying your doubts that you can really learn and explore outside the box.
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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