Rondine Cittadella della Pace - "World House Program"

Rondine was born in a Medieval Tuscan hamlet, a few kilometres away from Arezzo, Italy: here, the main Rondine projects for education and professional experience are developed.

What is the World House?

The project that gave rise and inspiration to Rondine is the World House: since 1998, it has hosted young people who come from countries where, whether currently or recently, conflict has degenerated into violent forms. They accept to live with their own “enemy”, in order to learn how to face their conflict and turn it into an opportunity for change.

The World House program lasts two years: during this period, participants can experiment innovation through conviviality, daily activities, non formal and formal education.

At the end of the two-year period, the youth of the World House have the tools to promote action and develop concrete social, political and economic projects in their own countries and to be leaders in contexts characterized by transformation, elevated complexity, and high conflict.

Currently, the World House hosts thirty students from twenty-five different countries in Europe, Africa, America and the Middle East.

World House: the main focuses

Daily life

• Sharing and confrontation in daily life represent the most important elements of Rondine experience. Continuously being in contact with other participants living in different conflict situations, and having different cultures, experiences and emotional backgrounds, is a unique occasion to get to know different points of view. The interpersonal relationship established in daily life is the key to overcome a conflict. Other important factors are listening to the other, comprehension, dialogue and sharing.

Training program

• Participants receive high level training on topics related to conflict management, communication abilities and methodologies. The training is carried out by Rondine’s team, international academics, practitioners and trainers. Through formal lectures, seminars and non-formal activities, the training provides essential tools and knowledge to increase self- awareness and to be able to develop concrete opportunities to make a social impact in their countries of origin.

Civic engagement

• World House fellows are involved in institutional events, divulgatory activities, media exposure, educational and training moments for schools and other organizations, voluntary and charity activities. Therefore, they are active participants in all the initiatives that Rondine promotes and adheres to, with the aim of realizing Rondine’s mission.

Formal education

• The last part of the program is a professional and academic specialization, which includes the attendance at a master course or other school of high professionalization in Central Italy (Tuscany, Umbria). The participation to academic courses is aimed at preparing for the work life with more sensibility and orientation to social change.

Training Program

TRIAL PERIOD September-December

It is a reciprocal trial period: the World House candidate can assess if Rondine meets his/her expectations, thanks to meetings with the educational staff and the direct experience of cohabitation with the other participants.
At the same time, the staff verifies if the participant’s characteristics meet the required profile to commit to the Rondine program.
Before the arrival, the candidate participates in an online phase, focused on the study of the Italian language through an online course, and the introduction to Rondine activities (July- September)

Focuses:

• intensive study of the Italian language
• team building
• introduction to the Rondine Method

FIRST YEAR January – July

Trainings for junior participants consist of lectures, non-formal educational activities, peer education, trips, meeting with the educational staff.

Focuses:

• conflict analisys and transformation
• education to environmental sustainability
• human rights
• communication skills
• group facilitation
• emotional intelligence

SECOND YEAR: September – June

Trainings for senior participants focuses on the perspective of leaving Rondine in order to implement their social impact projects.

Focuses:

• leadership
• effective communication
• basic elements of project management
• specific project design modules for policy/advocacy officer, educators, social entrepreneurs

After having completed the program in Rondine, participants of the World House return to their countries of origin ready to act in different socio-cultural contexts. They join Rondine International Peace Lab (R-IPL), the network of Rondine’s alumni. R-IPL supports former students in realizing cooperation and development projects, targeting peace building.