Middle East Project
A project for peace in which we are involved together with the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung.
Diversity Icebreaker project in the Middle East 2011-2013
2011-2012
Since 2011, Bjørn Z. Ekelund (Human Factors AS, Norway) and Lilach Sagiv (the Hebrew University, Israel) have used and studied the Diversity Icebreaker at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. One of the objectives of this initiative is to evaluate the potential, added value of the Diversity Icebreaker in supporting conflict resolution processes; another, is to train consultants and facilitators active in conflict resolution milieus in Israel and Palestine and enable them to use the tool.
Human Factors AS defined its contribution in the project as a CSR activity for the years 2011 - 2012 with a budged of approximately NOK 400 000,-, of which 20% is financed externally via the SkatteFUNN scheme by the Research Council of Norway.
As a part of this project, 26 workshops have been conducted at the Hebrew University for a total of 650 participants, in the years 2011-12.
The project results have demonstrated that the Diversity Icebreaker workshops builds trust, increases the positive and decreases the negative affect, enhances creativity, and enhances awareness of the “self” in connection with others. Results were the same regardless of whether the workshop facilitator was a first-time user, conducting the seminar in Hebrew or an experienced, international user using English.
2013
The project continues also in 2013, both in terms of research and practical application:
In august 2013 Bjørn Z. Ekelund applied the Diversity Icebreaker in a group of 60 teachers from Israel, Palestine and Jordan – teachers that in the next two years shall facilitate a non-violent conflict resolution in nine different schools and their local communities using tools like DI. The project was organised by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (www.kas.de), together with local conflict resolution partners from each of the countries.
If you wish to learn more about the project or contribute to it financially, please contact Bjørn Z. Ekelund; bze@human-factors.no
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2011-2012
Since 2011, Bjørn Z. Ekelund (Human Factors AS, Norway) and Lilach Sagiv (the Hebrew University, Israel) have used and studied the Diversity Icebreaker at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. One of the objectives of this initiative is to evaluate the potential, added value of the Diversity Icebreaker in supporting conflict resolution processes; another, is to train consultants and facilitators active in conflict resolution milieus in Israel and Palestine and enable them to use the tool.
Human Factors AS defined its contribution in the project as a CSR activity for the years 2011 - 2012 with a budged of approximately NOK 400 000,-, of which 20% is financed externally via the SkatteFUNN scheme by the Research Council of Norway.
As a part of this project, 26 workshops have been conducted at the Hebrew University for a total of 650 participants, in the years 2011-12.
The project results have demonstrated that the Diversity Icebreaker workshops builds trust, increases the positive and decreases the negative affect, enhances creativity, and enhances awareness of the “self” in connection with others. Results were the same regardless of whether the workshop facilitator was a first-time user, conducting the seminar in Hebrew or an experienced, international user using English.
2013
The project continues also in 2013, both in terms of research and practical application:
In august 2013 Bjørn Z. Ekelund applied the Diversity Icebreaker in a group of 60 teachers from Israel, Palestine and Jordan – teachers that in the next two years shall facilitate a non-violent conflict resolution in nine different schools and their local communities using tools like DI. The project was organised by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (www.kas.de), together with local conflict resolution partners from each of the countries.
If you wish to learn more about the project or contribute to it financially, please contact Bjørn Z. Ekelund; bze@human-factors.no
