During Tuesday’s IFP session, we were told to plan an activity for either next year’s IFP training for the Grade 11 or for an IFP conference.

Our idea was based on an institute called “Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy” and a “world game”. Below is what our group has came up with:

Proposal for next year’s IFP training:-

• • There will be two countries
  • Each country will have government officials of the ratio (1:15, one official for every 15 people)
  • These two countries will not be at peace with each other.
  • The two teams will be taken into different rooms at the start and evoke feelings of hatred towards the other team by telling them all the wrong done to them and telling them that the government officials in their team have the most power.
  • Towards the beginning of the session they will be given a list of Conduct Combat protocol :
    • Air strikes
    • Ground assault
    • Tank warfare
    • Naval engagement
• Negotiation protocol :
• • Who to talk to
  • Make a deal
  • Getting what you need
  • Getting others to see it your way
• The outcome we hope to get is that the two ‘countries’ will realize that just letting the government sort the issues is not very effective and that a multi track system such as letting the citizens be involved is more effective.

MY Reflection:

I presented our idea in the end. To me, it was my first time to actually represent my group alone and stand up to speak. I could feel other students were all looking at me which made me extremely nervous. To be honest, I did not present well. I was kind of stuck for a few seconds and continued to talk in a rather soft voice. Despite the fact that I did not present well and clear enough, I was quite proud of myself, being brave and confident. I believed that I can improve my presentation skills next time and I thought I need to speak more during every discussion and try to project my voice.

LO3 INITIATIVE (Planning and initiated activities)

IFP CONSOLIDATION

1. Where is your learning going? How will you apply skills, qualities you’ve developed outside of IFP? 

In IFP, I have learnt many skills which can be applied in real life. During joint training at Dover, I collaborated with a group of five students both from east and Dover. We were supposed to plan and facilitate our own peacebuilding activities on school violence. It was a new and enriching experience to me because I have applied my knowledge learnt in IFP and actually came up with something interesting myself to attract and teach the audience. I became more confident after this facilitation and I learnt how to corporate with people which I might not know. I think teamwork is a very important skill to be developed, for example, during work, it is common to work with people you know or you don’t know; you like or dislike. I learnt how to solve disagreement among my team members and always listen to others suggestions, filter it and express your own opinion. You can’t just blindly follow others or always stick to your own opinions. I have also learnt that having one to one communication is important because it can leave someone feeling valued, understood and care about. It helps to build trust and make people feel safe to share. Besides, I think confidence is also very important when presenting your work because you should recognise yourself first before others recognise you. What’s more, I also recognise the power of social media like Twitter for the first time and how spreading of information can contribute to social movements.

IFP-Social Media

2. What have you learned about collaboration? Have you learned to be more effective when working with others? What’s your biggest obstacle when asked to contribute to a team?

I learnt how to collaborate with my team members who you know or might not know. During the collaboration, we should express our own ideas first and listen to others. Listening is very important because this allows us to learn from others and if we have any questions or opposing view, we can discuss with them. I learnt to be more effective when working with others by developing my communicating skill and in-depth thinking. My biggest obstacle may be to speak out my ideas. Because sometimes I am not sure about my ideas so I am afraid to tell my ideas to my team members. I am afraid that they will deny my idea.

 3.In what ways have you been a mentor to others this year? Where and when have you shown initiative?

I was the lead facilitator during the joint session. I was able to present and teach the rest of the students about school violence and I applied some of the peacebuilding knowledge when organising the activities. I have also been a mentor to my friends when they felt sad or stressed. I would chat with them and encourage them, giving my friends my best support.

 4.Which session has done the most to address your areas for improvement as a peace builder? How did that session encourage growth?

IFP Saturday Session

 5. What have you learned about leadership & what qualities and skills have you developed in IFP to help do this?

In my opinion, I think a good leader requires confidence, passion, knowledge and good communication skill. And I think passion is the most important quality. You should be passionate about something before you start doing something. Through the way of IFP session, I find that I am more passionate about peace-related issues and peacebuilding activities. Good communication skill is also very important as we need to be able to lead all the group members and facilitate the event. In IFP, I have developed my communication skill by discussing ideas and issues with different students and even present in front of the whole group which I would never do that back then. I have also become more confident by speaking in front of the whole group. I am very intimidating at the start but in the end, I stepped out of my comfort zone and expressed my ideas successfully. I have also gained much deeper knowledge about peace and conflicts.

What is peace and conflict?-IFP

 6.What has your engagement in IFP looked like your peers? What makes you say so?

My engagement in IFP is different compared to my peers. I am quite shy and not that confident compared to whom express their ideas verbally and confidently whenever the teacher asked a question. I tend to listen more and think through the question in my mind first. I am also willing to listen and accept people’s different opinions.

LO 1 AWARENESS (Increased awareness of strengths and areas for growth)

LO 2 CHALLENGE (Undertaken new challenges)/NEW SKILLS (Developing new skills)

LO3 INITIATIVE (Planning and initiated activities)

LO 4 COMMITMENT (Showing perseverance, resilience and commitment in activities)

LO 5 COLLABORATION (Working together to achieve an outcome)