Reclaiming Identity in the Journey of Reconciliation

The Peace and Reconciliation Network (PRN) views reconciliation as a transformative journey for communities fractured by violence and injustice. One of the most critical stages in this journey is Reclaiming Identity—the moment when individuals and communities choose whether to move forward with a renewed narrative of reconciliation or remain bound by entrenched divisions.

This interactive workshop will define and explore Reclaiming Identity as a pivotal stage in reconciliation, drawing on expert testimony, proven methodologies, and practical case studies. Participants will engage in discussions and group work designed to help them develop their own strategies for supporting identity reclamation in conflict-affected contexts.

Objectives

• Define Reclaiming Identity within the reconciliation process.
• Share methodologies through expert testimony and lived experience.
• Engage participants in strategy development for identity reclamation.
• Provide tools and insights for applying these approaches in participants’ own work.

Expected Outcomes

By the end of the workshop, participants will:

• Gain a deeper understanding of the role of identity in reconciliation.
• Learn from methodologies applied in diverse conflict contexts.
• Develop practical approaches to facilitate identity reclamation in their own communities.
   

Methodology
The workshop combines presentations, group work, and facilitated dialogue. Participants will explore:

• Musalaha’s Six-Stage Reconciliation Model, developed over 35 years of work in Israel and Palestine.
• Healing Hearts Transforming Nations (HHTN) and its use of identificational confession, a powerful tool for identity transformation in post-genocide Rwanda.
• Case studies from Manipur (India), South Africa, and Israel/Palestine, with opportunities for group strategy sessions and real-world outcome comparisons.