In March a group of Women from the Creevagh Women's Group L/Derry along with a group from Focus on Family Coleraine embarked on residential made possible through funding by The Irish Peace Centres.

Twenty three women committed their weekend to undertake the course Introduction to Conflict and Communication facilitated by the Workers Educational Association. This undertaking proved to be one that enabled the women to explore conflict, both personal and political, and enabled them to develop strategies and tools to move the conflict process on to a more positive mutually agreeable resolution.

The group showed great courage and determination in that they were open to working on "real time" conflicts using the collective thinking of the group as a sounding board but also as a support to enable them to process the situation, determine the stage within the conflict process, identify intervention based on the conflict and communication model contained within the course.

The groups energy and enthusiasm to grapple with very sensitive and difficult situations was inspiring and I have nor doubt that they will disseminate the learning both within their projects and to the benefit of their communities.