The BRIDGE project, supported by the European Solidarity Corps, has created unique spaces for women to connect and share their lived experiences across generations, communities and borders. The project uses storytelling as a powerful tool to foster meaningful relationships, cultivate empathy and build intergenerational connections and collaborations that transcend age and background.
Throughout the 12-month project which got underway in January 2024, participants developed their skills in mediation, facilitation and project management. They explored how storytelling methodologies such as Narrative4, Theatre of Witness, and digital tools like Miro can open avenues for collaboration and connection.
The BRIDGE team, supported by their coaches, Catherine Ferrin and Anne Walker, two Glencree Women's Network members experienced in storytelling practices, guided the young women to reflect on their learning over the course of the project, and the impact the project had on them and their communities. The BRIDGE team included Niamh Flynn, Chair of GOAL Global Youth Network; Lila Reshadi-Nezhad, International Peace Studies Candidate, Trinity College Dublin; Aoife Redmond, Regional Programmes Coordinator of Peaceplayers Northern Ireland; Ala Buisir, Visual Artist and Journalist; Marwa Zamir, Young Ireland Advisory Council Member and Amina Moustafa, Glencree Women's Leadership Programme.
Following an 'Introduction to Podcasting' workshop which was held for Glencree Network members and Bridge project participants earlier this month, these newly developed skills were also put into action through a recording of these insights and personal experiences of the team in a podcast which will be available later this month.
About the BRDIGE Intergenerational Storytelling project
In July 2023, the Glencree Missing Peace: Youth Peace and Reconciliation project consortium held a Training Course in Weimar, Germany. Over 30 youth workers, peacebuilders and non-formal educators came together over 6-days to explore different approaches to promote youth engagement in peacebuilding. This group included 5 young women members of Glencree’s All-Island Women’s Peacebuilding Network. As a result of their participation and learnings from activities designed during the training course, the Glencree delegation went on to develop their own project centered on the concept of intergenerational storytelling.
Facilitated independently by a group of young women who are members of Glencree's All-Island Women's Peacebuilding Network, the BRIDGE Intergenerational Storytelling project is funded by the European Solidarity Corps, managed by Leargas and supported by Glencree under the Women's Leadership Programme.#glencree4peace #womensvoices
