In truth the 'problem' lies only in the mind and that's where the work needs to be done. A change in attitude and belief structure leads to a change in behaviour and greater peace and cooperation for all. There are many tools that you can use to start to try to approach any situation of conflict differently. Most work with the individual to teach coping strategies, introduce a different perspective and release emotional pain.
An innovative approach is to use the arts to create a space where diverse groups can find a greater understanding and thus greater peace. Participatory arts - such as community singing and dancing - can be powerful tools to support you through conflict. In this way the arts can help you to move through fear, trauma, hatred and anger, to reach a place where respectful dialogue is possible. Only then can 'us' expand and soften enough to encompass 'them'.
Keys to Peace is activity based. Crafted by Stefan Freedman to integrate many peace-related tools learned and developed over three decades.
Stefan’s degree was in Social Anthropology which reflects his interest in looking at the world from different perspectives. He always found a therapeutic dimension in music and dance and was able to ‘pick up’ a range of musical instruments (wind, string and percussive). His early work included school class teaching and remedial work (E London) and working at Community Relations (Brixton, London), after which he began to lead cultural and dance events worldwide, often in partnership with his wife Bethan.
Having grandparents who were Jewish refugees from Romania and Poland he felt a natural affinity with dispossessed Palestinian people, while at the same time feeling a close bond with family members living on an Israeli kibbutz. His longstanding passion for practical peace-building - expressed both through workshops and poetry - stems from a need to contribute towards empathy, understanding and nonviolent solutions. He actively supports and fundraises for Windows For Peace (UK).
Stefan is now widely acclaimed for his choreography and ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds – sometimes with no common language – and to foster safety and a sense of mutual acceptance. In between his travels he leads regular workshops for 'Inside Out Community' (Ipswich, UK) who offer creative and confidence-building experiences for adults receiving mental health care.
Stefan's approach is at once intensive and playful. He integrates tools he has adapted from Non-violent Communication, NLP, Psychosynthesis, drama improvisation, Biodanza (therapeutic and expressive dance), traditional and ritual dances, Voice Dialogue, and Aromatherapy massage during his 28 years of experience as a group facilitator.
His own unusual life journey has given him many opportunities to see how intuition and practicality can be married together to create something unique and special, tailored to one's own abilities and aspirations. He enjoys seeing potential realised in others, exploring how to move through fear, indecision or difficult circumstances.
Stefan travels the world leading dance and other workshops from complete beginner to advanced levels as well as celebrations and festivities incorporating live music and displays. His dances use evocative music from all continents.
Stefan employs a "feel good" approach which includes people of all ages and abilities learning stylish sequences to strong, earthy rhythms. No prior experience or partner is required. The participants get to meet each other, have a delightful time and a good "shake out" while encountering contemporary and traditional dances from places as diverse as Uzbekistan, Algeria, Japan and Wales.
Stefan is passionate about developing dance to promote connection and harmony between people of diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds. Along with Bethan, his former wife, he played a key role in a Middle East Peace conference (IFLAC London 2002) and a humanitarian educational congress (SEAL, Derby 2002), an international NVC conference on conflict and communication (London, June 2004), the Scouts International Jamboree (Chelmsford, August 2007). In 2005 and 2008, Stefan led "peace, culture and dance" events in Israel. In 2009, together with Nomi Sharron, Ken Masters and ten others they founded Dancing Through Walls. The aim is to explore in depth how circle dances can contribute in peace and reconciliation processes. And to develop new formats in which dance and other creative arts combined may help in trauma release and conflict transformation. In this they are inspired by the Spirit of Peace network, co-ordinated by Jane Ozanne.
An innovative approach is to use the arts to create a space where diverse groups can find a greater understanding and thus greater peace. Participatory arts - such as community singing and dancing - can be powerful tools to support you through conflict. In this way the arts can help you to move through fear, trauma, hatred and anger, to reach a place where respectful dialogue is possible. Only then can 'us' expand and soften enough to encompass 'them'.
Keys to Peace is activity based. Crafted by Stefan Freedman to integrate many peace-related tools learned and developed over three decades.
Stefan’s degree was in Social Anthropology which reflects his interest in looking at the world from different perspectives. He always found a therapeutic dimension in music and dance and was able to ‘pick up’ a range of musical instruments (wind, string and percussive). His early work included school class teaching and remedial work (E London) and working at Community Relations (Brixton, London), after which he began to lead cultural and dance events worldwide, often in partnership with his wife Bethan.
Having grandparents who were Jewish refugees from Romania and Poland he felt a natural affinity with dispossessed Palestinian people, while at the same time feeling a close bond with family members living on an Israeli kibbutz. His longstanding passion for practical peace-building - expressed both through workshops and poetry - stems from a need to contribute towards empathy, understanding and nonviolent solutions. He actively supports and fundraises for Windows For Peace (UK).
Stefan is now widely acclaimed for his choreography and ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds – sometimes with no common language – and to foster safety and a sense of mutual acceptance. In between his travels he leads regular workshops for 'Inside Out Community' (Ipswich, UK) who offer creative and confidence-building experiences for adults receiving mental health care.
Stefan's approach is at once intensive and playful. He integrates tools he has adapted from Non-violent Communication, NLP, Psychosynthesis, drama improvisation, Biodanza (therapeutic and expressive dance), traditional and ritual dances, Voice Dialogue, and Aromatherapy massage during his 28 years of experience as a group facilitator.
His own unusual life journey has given him many opportunities to see how intuition and practicality can be married together to create something unique and special, tailored to one's own abilities and aspirations. He enjoys seeing potential realised in others, exploring how to move through fear, indecision or difficult circumstances.
Stefan travels the world leading dance and other workshops from complete beginner to advanced levels as well as celebrations and festivities incorporating live music and displays. His dances use evocative music from all continents.
Stefan employs a "feel good" approach which includes people of all ages and abilities learning stylish sequences to strong, earthy rhythms. No prior experience or partner is required. The participants get to meet each other, have a delightful time and a good "shake out" while encountering contemporary and traditional dances from places as diverse as Uzbekistan, Algeria, Japan and Wales.
Stefan is passionate about developing dance to promote connection and harmony between people of diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds. Along with Bethan, his former wife, he played a key role in a Middle East Peace conference (IFLAC London 2002) and a humanitarian educational congress (SEAL, Derby 2002), an international NVC conference on conflict and communication (London, June 2004), the Scouts International Jamboree (Chelmsford, August 2007). In 2005 and 2008, Stefan led "peace, culture and dance" events in Israel. In 2009, together with Nomi Sharron, Ken Masters and ten others they founded Dancing Through Walls. The aim is to explore in depth how circle dances can contribute in peace and reconciliation processes. And to develop new formats in which dance and other creative arts combined may help in trauma release and conflict transformation. In this they are inspired by the Spirit of Peace network, co-ordinated by Jane Ozanne.