Westmoreland peace centre to help resolve student disputes

WESTERN BUREAU:

The Rotary Peace and Conflict Resource Centre could stimulate sweeping change in how people resolve disputes in the parish of Westmoreland.

That’s the view of John Bassie, chairman of the Dispute Resolution Foundation, who said that the centre, based at Ferris Primary School in the southwestern parish, was ideally placed for the promotion of peace.

“We embrace peace, love, and unity and believe this resource training centre can be a stimulus for peace, security, and happiness in this parish and beyond,” said Bassie, who was delivering the keynote address at Thursday’s closing and awards ceremony for 55 guidance counsellors who were trained by the Rotary Club of Savanna-la-Mar and the Rotary Club of Illinois, United States, in peace and conflict resolution.

“We must talk about security, that safe space for our children. These are the issues we have to bring to the front,” said Bassie, a lawyer and immigration expert. “We have gone through a period of sensitisation, and I believe we have passed that now. We are now responding. This is a response. This is great.”

The guidance counsellors, who were drawn from early childhood, primary, and high schools in Westmoreland, Hanover, and St James, were exposed to new techniques on how to resolve conflicts among students.

“I am asking that you use your training and this resource centre very well. These dispute-resolution techniques, mechanisms, and ideas are a way of life for everybody. You have to live it. You can’t put it in a box. You can’t get up one day and you are going to be peaceful and then the next day, you’re not. It’s a way of life,” Bassie said.

“You must speak out against prejudice and discrimination when you see it. Start teaching the children from now. When you feel angry, count to 10 before saying anything then ask yourself what response will be best for the greater good,” he added.