Senior Program Officers Nina Sughrue and Keith Bowen, in conjunction with local partner the Welfare Association for the Development of Afghanistan (WADAN) conducted the second training of trainers (TOT) conflict resolution workshop in Kabul on July 14-16. In this session, participants discussed how have been using used what they learned in the first workshop, held in April, to help resolve conflicts and solve problems in their local communities. Also, building on the April workshop, the 34 Afghans were divided into seven groups and asked to put together training modules on one of six topics covered in USIP's conflict resolution curriculum, including conflict analysis, communication skills, conflict styles, negotiation, mediation, and problem solving, all of which were presented during the April workshop.

From April to July, the participants working in their assigned groups took the USIP frameworks and information taught in April and adapted them according to their local context in Afghanistan. The seventh group was responsible for coordinating with all six groups and putting the agenda together. During the July workshop, the participants presented their modules to each other - essentially training each other in a blend of USIP methodology and traditional Afghan conflict resolution mechanisms. The seventh group did a superb job of organizing all six groups, allotting the appropriate time needed for each subject and maintaining the schedule throughout the three days.

USIP trainers provided feedback to the groups based on the content of their work, the level of participation of all of the group members, and on their training techniques. All of the groups incorporated real Afghan problems as examples to complement the USIP methodology. Additionally, all groups used a mix of lecture and group work, and most used a "fishbowl" training technique to introduce their topic.

The participants were highly appreciative of the opportunity as trainers to train one another in these critical skills of peace. The participants were eager to work together, making the materials their own and presented them to each other in an interactive, all-inclusive style. Additionally, all were eager to continue to improve their training techniques as all of the groups emulated the training style of lecture, discussion, and group work from the April program.

 USIP plans to continue to work with this network of conflict management trainers in 2009 to train others in conflict management throughout Afghanistan, including remote and distant provinces.