This book documents what Search for Common Ground [SFCG] has learned using participatory theatre for conflict transformation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). SFCG has performed for approximately one million people in South Kivu and northern Katanga since 2005.

From the Introduction: "This is what Search for Common Ground  tries to do: change the way the world responds to conflict, replacing an adversarial approach, where one side wins and the other loses, towards a collaborative approach, whereby we all win. We believe that dealing with conflict constructively is a skill that can be developed, and participatory theatre is a powerful tool in developing that skill....Participatory theatre is an approach in which the actors interact with the public, based on a real problem. Throughout the participatory event, the public participates to adapt, change or correct a situation, an attitude or a behaviour that is developed during the show."

Contents include the following:

1) Participatory theatre

• Definition
• History of participatory theatre
• Participatory theatre: different types

2) Conflict transformation

• What is a conflict?
• Causes of conflicts
• Conflict analysis
• Positions and interests
• Conflict scenarios
• Conflict transformation
• Types of behaviour during conflicts
• How to transform conflict
• Collaboration

3) Participative theatre for conflict transformation

• Information collection
• Compiling information
• Scene development
• Character development
• Preparation of the performance location
• Interaction with spectators
• Role of the director
• Ingredients of success for your theatre
• Risks of participative theatre for conflict transformation
• How can theatre contribute to peace?
• Theatre exercises

52

The manual is in English or French; a French version printed with a 30-minute DVD outlining the technique through images and examples can be obtained by contacting rdc@sfcg.org

Search for Common Ground Newsletter, Spring 2009.