Firenze 2025
Learning conflict resolution in Florence
Hanna Lämsä sought important lessons in identifying and resolving conflicts within the school community from a conflict resolution course. The course was part of the Erasmus+ Teacher Training program.
Disagreements, disputes and various conflicts within school communities affect the lives of both students and staff in many ways. Conflict situations negatively affect the school atmosphere, weakening the sense of community and the safety of students and staff. Unpleasant incidents can significantly increase the stress experienced by both staff and students, weaken work and study motivation and, in the worst case, lead to school anxiety, dropout or burnout.
Resolving and preventing disputes, disagreements and even violent situations in a controlled and safe manner creates safety, community spirit and well-being in the school community. Hanna went to get important additional lessons, tools and practical strategies from the conflict management course developed by Susan Gagliano for school staff.
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The course practiced various mediation and communication strategies to solve problems and examined the opportunities presented by conflict situations to develop social awareness, emotional regulation skills, leadership skills, community building and better self-expression in the school community. Learn more about the course here​
Hanna found useful, among other things, studying the basic principles of NVC (Non violent Communication) and going through conflict situations through drama. There were eight participants, from a total of five different countries. Hanna found the discussions with other participants insightful and peer-supportive.
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The course was held in Florence and included six intensive study days. At the end of the course, we went on a winery tour, where, according to Hanna, we didn't have to use the skills we had just learned :)