WONOSARI – The Peace and Conflict Resolution Master Program (MPRK) team from UGM launched a series of Community Service (PkM) activities at SMAN 1 Wonosari with a training session titled “Capacity Building for Teachers as Agents of Peace – Session 1: Looking Back,” held on Monday, August 24th 2026. Thirty-two teachers and educational staff members, including the school principal, participated in the event, which took place in the school hall.
The training was facilitated by Dody Wibowo, an MPRK UGM lecturer, with six MPRK UGM students. The process went beyond a mere one-way delivery of material. Following the opening and introductions, participants explored the concept of conflict, engaged in ice-breaking activities to build rapport, and delved into the subject of peace before moving into small-group discussions—the core component of the session.
It was during these discussions that the process of “looking back” truly unfolded. Participants were encouraged to examine their understanding of conflict and violence. The methods they had previously used to address such issues, the origins of those approaches, and the challenges encountered when attempting to resolve the problems.
A variety of experiences were shared, including instances of conflict between teachers—topics that had perhaps rarely been discussed openly before. These exchanges sparked a reflection that issues were not always confronted directly. Behaviors deemed problematic were sometimes interpreted as inherent traits or attitudes, leading to simply tolerating the resulting problems. Participants also identified several challenges in responding to conflict, ranging from miscommunication, power dynamics, and differing ideals to avoid the consequences of the conflict.
These patterns revealed a common thread: when responding to conflict, the issue itself and the people involved often become conflated, making it difficult to view the situation clearly. This first session provided a space for participants to reflect on their past approaches to conflict and identify the skills that still needed strengthening. The reflections that emerged that day served as a foundation for the subsequent session, which would focus on the skill of listening—a crucial step toward gaining a more holistic understanding of the issues at hand and the people involved.
Author: Fajriatun Nisa Islami