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 Liu Yunting from Raffles Girls' School:
Q: How was your overall experience at the Peacemakers Conference 2018?
Before Peacemakers Conference 2018 I wasn’t really sure about what I should expect out of this 3-day long programme because I didn’t have an idea of what “mediation” was so I went into it being rather clueless, but at the end I think it really opened some new doors and I gained new knowledge and experience in those 3 days. Overall, I feel very very thankful to have had such an opportunity to attend the most memorable and unique “workshop” to me by far.
Q: What was the most unforgettable part of the Conference for you?
Getting to meet participants from other schools and working with them was really interesting! As we come from many different schools, our working styles and thought processes can be very different, but through our interactions during the Conference, we were able to share and learn from one another. This was one of the experiences provided by the Conference that we don’t usually get in a normal classroom setting, so I treasured that a lot (:
Q: What is an example of you applying what you learned in the Conference in real life?
I found it useful to apply what I’ve learned in the Conference, especially when we often have group work to do and our team members can’t seem to agree on the different ideas. I realised that we didn’t need a full-scale mediation session, but just by adapting from what was taught during the Conference, I got the members to take turns to present and explain their points within the group, then facilitating the discussion after everyone had a common understanding of the various ideas (which turned out to be much more efficient and effective!)
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to the incoming participants of the Peacemakers Conference 2019, what would you tell them?
Come with an open mind and be eager and ready to learn as much as you can! Enjoy yourself to the fullest and be present while it lasts because at the end of 3 days you’ll miss it (“: Most importantly have fun and don’t be afraid to make friends with your fellow participants and (super friendly and encouraging) FACILS!! 😀 All the best for PMConference 2019!
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For more pictures and videos of the Peacemakers Conference 2018, 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.
