Dialogue for Peaceful Change (DPC) is an international program that has brought together the best methodologies from around the world in community-based conflict mediation, providing effective tools and strategies for analyzing and addressing conflicts. This is a program applicable to conflicts and disputes in communities, families and organizations moving beyond traditional mediative methods, focusing on conflict content, culture, and spirituality.
Leadership
Stephen Law is an internationally certified mediation coach in Dialogue for Peaceful Change. Stephen has offered trainings in Northern Ireland, India and North America. Stephen was the past chair of Peace Brigades International and has trained international accompaniers in conflict areas around the world. Stephen has mediated conflicts in community-based organizations, family structures and cooperative social enterprises and offered programming which builds bridges between groups, communities and organizations.
Stephen was the Social Transformation Program Coordinator with the Tatamagouche Centre and is an Associate of the Coady International Institute where he has taught the Community-Based Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding course at St. Francis Xavier University. He designed and delivered the Welcoming Ambassador Program to support the integration and inclusion of Syrian newcomers to Nova Scotia. He is also the author of the novel Tailings of Warren Peace which was shortlisted for in the 2013 Atlantic Book Awards. His latest novel is, Under Her Skin (Roseway, 2017).
Cathy (Gerrior) Grant
Cathy is an Indigenous social activist who works specifically with men on the issues of violence against women at the New Leaf program since 1999. Cathy is also one of the original members of the Peace and Friendship Gatherings where she first experienced the Tatamagouche Centre that has become a part of her soul over all these years.
The couple of thousand or so of men that Cathy has worked with in group over 24 years have taught her how to hold difficult conversations in a plainly speaking way that is caring while also speaking the truth. Maybe even more importantly, how to listen to what someone is saying. Cathy has learned first hand how making safe space for these important conversations can be more important than why everyone had gathered in the first place `Cathy is a down to earth woman who is also quick to laugh, often at herself, and is always motivated by a genuine caring for whomever she is working with.
Testimonials from Past Participants:
“I go home with a deeper understanding of my personal style in conflict with hope that transformation is not only possible it is happening now.”
“I’m now walking with skills I didn’t think were possible.”
“In addition to a well laid out agenda with strong facilitation and obviously strong models and manual, I felt the goals were actually lived by the facilitators through the program and the relationships of all throughout the week.”
“Awesome facilitators, ensuring that there would be a diverse group of people to represent diverse ideas.”
“I would recommend this to anyone – very transformative, inspirational, interesting, and challenging.”
“People from various cultural, racial, groups learned that they can respect each other, value each other, be who they are and still work together towards peaceful change.”
We are grateful to our partners United Way of Colchester County, New Horizons for Seniors, Seeds of Hope Youth, UCC Foundation, and United Way.