TC Play & Resolve
From April 5 to 13, we had the opportunity to participate in an international training course titled PLAY & RESOLVE: Gamified Solutions for Peacebuilding, held in the picturesque Bulgarian town of Bansko, known primarily as a popular ski resort.
Together with 30 participants from 10 different countries, we formed a group focused on exploring how games can be used in peacebuilding. The first day was dedicated to ice-breaking activities that helped create a friendly and open atmosphere. The following days were filled with interactive presentations and hands-on workshops. We got to know useful tools that youth workers can use in their practice and deepened our understanding of how games can be used to develop important skills and values.A significant part of the program consisted of discussions about the meaning of peace and various approaches to building it. It became clear that although we often use the word “peace,” everyone may perceive it a little differently.
During the course, we had the chance to test games created by the participants themselves. These games allowed us to see new perspectives, reflect on our own attitudes, and also learn something about ourselves. The week concluded with creating our own games focused on the theme of peace. We were surprised at how much can be accomplished in a short time through teamwork.The project also included a team that documented the entire course—an overview of activities and games that can serve as a practical guide for youth workers and organizers of similar projects.
For both of us, as members of the Slovak team, this was our first experience with a training course under the Erasmus+ program, but certainly not the last. We take away a lot of inspiration, new knowledge, and friendships, and we look forward to future opportunities where we can continue to grow and share what we have learned.
