Roots of Peace - booklet on conflict resolution

Aims of the tool

Promote healthy conflict transformation – to reframe conflict as a natural part of human relationships and an opportunity for connection, learning, and growth.

Develop emotional awareness – to cultivate understanding of feelings, needs, and inner attitudes as a foundation for peacebuilding.

Integrate body-based practices – to enhance awareness of the body’s role in conflict, stress, and communication, and to build skills in emotional regulation and nervous system resilience.

Foster empathy and compassionate dialogue – to teach and encourage the use of Nonviolent Communication (NVC) as a tool for expressing needs and listening to others with care.

Provide practical tools for youth work – to offer exercises, reflection prompts, and knowledge that educators and facilitators can use directly with young people and communities.

Encourage embodied presence in conflict resolution – to help participants respond to challenging situations with awareness and compassion rather than reactivity.

Description of the tool

Conflict is a natural part of human relationships—whether among youth, communities, or teams. How we approach and resolve conflicts shapes the health of our connections and the strength of our communities. The Roots of Peace project is grounded in the understanding that cultivating peace begins within—through our attitudes, beliefs, and emotional awareness.
This project uniquely combines two powerful approaches: Nonviolent Communication (NVC) and somatic education. NVC provides a clear framework for understanding and expressing needs and feelings, promoting empathy and compassionate dialogue. Somatic education brings awareness to the body’s role in emotional regulation and communication, helping participants recognize physical sensations linked to stress, fear, or anger.
By integrating these approaches, Roots of Peace teaches how to approach conflicts not only with our minds but also through embodied awareness. This means learning to listen to our bodily signals, regulate our nervous system responses, and respond with presence and compassion rather than reactivity.
This booklet is a practical resource tailored for youth workers, educators, and community leaders engaged in peacebuilding and youth empowerment. It offers concrete exercises, knowledge, and reflection prompts to help participants shift their approach to conflict—seeing it as an opportunity for connection and strengthening relationships.

Booklet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PBr5qC_TLJhPxUWL53GZvmEEtvwYnwVO/view

You can also join our free webinar on conflict resolution https://www.fundacjamudita.org/en/free-webinar-conflict-resolution-using-nvc-september-15-2025/