Joan is an Irish Dominican sister, who works in Rosario city, Argentina.
She says: "We are a group of eighteen Argentine/Irish sisters who have the privilege of working alongside needy and excluded peoples. Our Province or Region is Argentina/Bolivia."

Joan, the Peace Education Program: what is it about?
It's about transmitting skills to others to bring about changes in attitudes and behaviours; it's about a new way of living and behaving. There are six essential components to be taught to improve dialogue and communication, to solve conflicts and learn how to mediate and build community. Conflict will always exist but it doesn't have to be a destructive force.
It is a low intensity systematic programme which is bringing about many changes in formal/non-formal education.
Sister Marie Carol Hurley says: "It's as easy to teach peace as it is to teach war ..... "

What does the "positive approach to the solving of conflicts" consist of?
It means firstly that the trainers trained should model in a positive way how to solve their own problems when dealing with others.
Old negative approaches like punishments, expulsions, are replaced by more positive methods, listening, dialogue, respect for different perceptions, mediation, discussion, anger management, solving conflicts, being resilient, rational behaviour.
Hopefully students/participants will then model this change of attitude and behaviour in their own life-style when they learn this more positive approach.

I guess that conflicts in a religious community or work place are normal occurrences? ... In your experience what are the major consequences when the approach to conflict is not the right one?
Conflict is an everyday occurrence where people work, play and live together but it doesn't have to be a destructive force, or cause rows. It is only destructive when there is no resolution of the conflict.
Lack of respect for different opinions, religion, political views, culture, rights, can cause anger, hatred, attacks, resentment, invasions, and outright war.

We have to learn to approach conflict in a constructive way using diplomatic dialogue.

What did you learn from this experience of promoting the Peace Education programme?
I also felt that as well as demonstrations, marches, prayer vigils, fasts for peace and justice we as Dominicans need to take the lead in promoting systematic programmes to change people's minds and hearts
In a war thirsty world context we introduced one new programme to wage peace as opposed to waging war! We have proved it is changing people's way of thinking and living.  I knew solving conflict and mediation and facilitation was working in the North of Ireland so I was convinced this was one of the new ways!

Do you see a link between the micro conflicts and the international conflicts among countries and peoples?
Yes, I definitely see links. Some person decides to wage war because of his/her mind-set and convinces others to do likewise.
Are we educating war minded people or peace and justice people? Who taught the leaders of the world to wage war and who failed to give them the tools to wage peace?
If our Dominican family institutes are not working to go the extra mile and teach/preach justice and peace in to-day's world then we are automatically part of the problems! Let us preach programmes which transmit universal values, lasting attitudes of peace and contribute somewhat to bringing about new attitudes in the world we live in.