The Center for Research and Action towards Sustainable Peace and Development (CRASPD) was established in 2015 by the Faculty of Development Studies (FDS) of the Protestant Institution of Arts and Social Studies (PIASS) to share the Faculty’s expertise with the community through outreach programs involving students, faculty and staff together.

CRASPD is offering advisory and training services for civil society and local government actors to improve local communities’ wellbeing and support their peaceful co-existence even in challenging times.

Our goal is to fill the gap between the first objective of the FDS: “to deliver high quality education in response to the educational needs of communities” and the third objective: “to share expertise with the community through various outreach programs involving students, faculty, and staff together (Community Service).

With our new logo, the CRASPD Flyer will give you an overview of CRASPD.

Advisory , Consultancy and Training

CRASPD is offering advisory and training services for civil society and local government actors to improve local communities’ wellbeing and support their peaceful co-existence even in challenging times.

Nonviolent Communication and Efficient Time Management at Work –
introduction for national personnel of GIZ Civil Peace Service

Upon request from administrative staff of GIZ (German Development Cooperation) Civil Peace Service Rwanda and Burundi, two members of CRASPD who are experienced in facilitating trainings in Nonviolent Communication (NVC, by Dr. Marshall B. Rosenberg, for more, see: www.cnvc.org) conceptualized and conducted an introduction to NVC and Time Management, in English and French. 18 administrative employees of GIZ CPS and its partner organizations in Rwanda and Burundi participated in the two-day training which took place on June 21 and 22, in Rwamagana District, Rwanda. After gaining a common understanding of basic concepts and terminologies like conflict, violence, and peace, the facilitators presented the background and basic assumptions of NVC as well as four recommended steps to communicate in an honest and connecting way, especially in conflict, and to empathically listen to our counterpart in conflict. The session on time management was focusing on the question how our priorities determine the way we structure our working day efficiently, avoid bottle necks and plan how we use our time and energy in the most efficient and enjoyable manner. In the feedback round, participants expressed satisfaction with the multitude of methods and practical exercises giving them opportunities to learn through experience rather than just hearing or reading. These first two training days will be followed by two additional follow up days where participants will share experiences with using the new approaches and expand their knowledge and skills in both NVC and efficient time management.

Download our Service Profile here: ServiceProfileCRASPD_6_2018