Thank you to Karen Doubilet from PPI for this report:
From October 15th through 17th, approximately 45 PeacePlayers International – Middle East Palestinian and Israeli participants and coaches traveled to the northern Israeli kibbutz of Kfar Blum for two days of intensive training workshops. The weekend marked a key step in their own development as peer-mentors and local leaders, but it also marked a milestone for PeacePlayers International as a whole – the first full-scale implementation of the new PPI – Arbinger Peacebuilding Curriculum and Toolkit, developed in partnership with the Arbinger Institute and the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.
The PPI – Arbinger Curriculum teaches conflict resolution through basketball by integrating a ‘conflict transformation” philosophy developed by the Arbinger Institute with a unique set of on-the-court lessons and drills. The philosophy revolves around the concept of “the Box,” a term for a state of being which prevents individuals from seeing others as people with feelings and needs equal to their own. “In the box,” an individual can feel angry and resentful, perpetuating cycles of blame and anger. “Out of the box,” an individual can see other perspectives and new solutions, leaving them capable of approaching conflicts proactively– be they personal, religious or political.
