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Phil Gamaghelyan
PhD Student at School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, George Mason University
Co-Director of the Imagine Center for Conflict Transformation
Managing Editor at Caucasus Edition: Journal of Conflict Transformation (www.caucasusedition.net)
Phil will discuss the inclusion of historical narratives into the classical model of problem-solving workshop. The presentation will focus on this adaptation by the Imagine Center for Conflict Transformation during a number of Armenian-Azerbaijani and Turkish-Armenian dialogue workshops between 2005 and 2011. Based on learning from collective memory theories, the adaptation employs analysis of historical narratives to help the participants break the ‘Us vs. Them’ dichotomy in the construct of their identities; contributes to re-humanization of the other group by identifying patterns in the group memory that constitute the foundation of self and other stereotyping; develops self-critical approach to the conflict; gains insights into one’s own and the other side’s present day context and needs; and works toward the transformation of the conflict by challenging the dominant conflict discourse.