Others asked to create cooperation through difference, to bring peace to a broken community, to raise awareness of institutionalized racism, and to promote listening and dialogue in my organization.

By the end of day, many participants shared a sense of renewed energy. One participant called her new knowledge “seeds” for the future. [View a short video of participants below.]

Learning locally

The first of its kind, SPI Community Day was an opportunity for area peacebuilders to experience what global peacebuilders come to Harrisonburg for every summer: hands-on training, experiential learning, practical tools and networking with other practitioners.

SPI is an acronym for , which has existed since 1994, and since that year, brought more than 2,900 people from 124 countries to Harrisonburg.

As varied as their purposes for attending Community Day were attendees’ geographic origins and affiliations. They came from Richmond, Lynchburg, and Charlottesville in Virginia, from the Washington, D.C. suburbs, and Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia – from schools, farms, youth organizations, refugee aid organizations, churches and homeless advocacy groups.

And then there was Harrisonburg retiree Anne Neilsen, who introduced herself as “nobody,” drawing a laugh from the audience. Then she proceeded to give an impassioned pitch about an upcoming informational meeting to discuss disturbing reports about conditions in a regional jail.

Peacebuilding is both a local and global venture, said , SPI director, in his opening remarks. “It is wonderful to help community members gain skills that have benefited our peacebuilders working global communities. We’re so glad you’re here.”

, executive director of the , welcomed a new group of peacebuilders into the SPI learning community.

“Every summer, we participate in the education of a global community of peacebuilding through the integration of practice, theory and research. Peacebuilding is not solely the domain of a few experts. It is something all of us have the opportunity to engage in every day in our schools and homes. And we all bring stories, knowledge and tools with us.”

‘Nourishment’ for people working on change

The SPI Community Day schedule – with opening ceremony, class sessions, a luncheon and speakers, and breakout networking opportunities – was modeled after that of SPI, which welcomes approximately 150 to 200 people from around 40 countries during several sessions throughout May and June.

Introductory remarks were also made by graduate students in the program, all of whom have attended SPI: , from Kenya and founder of ; Boris Ozuna, a Colombian native who works for and directs ; and Gregory Winship, who works in restorative justice with the in Kansas City, Missouri.

A luncheon session featured the Harrisonburg restorative justice initiative, a community partnership that includes Lt. a 2015 SPI participant from the Harrisonburg Police Department.

Participants sampled from a variety of workshop sessions designed to give practical skills they could use right away and a small taste of what would be learned in a full SPI course: SPI faculty taught about circle processes for staff development, , project management for healthy organizations, , training design and other workshops covering topics that are typically taught during summer classes.

“SPI is a resource to learn and practice new tools, but it’s also a source of nourishment,” said Goldberg. “People come here and leave energized. I think we have great potential to become both a local and global incubator for change and collaboration.”

To learn more about dates and courses offered for SPI 2016, click .

Ozuna, who immigrated to the United States to study peace and development at 91¶ĚĘÓƵ (91¶ĚĘÓƵ), honors his origins in his new role with the festival, slated for Saturday, Sept. 26, at Hillandale Park.

“What better way to help build bridges than organizing this event?” he says. “The festival is like a big wedding … where the whole town decides to get married.”

 From Colombia to The Fairfield Center

Ozuna shares a similar background with many of Harrisonburg’s expatriate residents, who have fled war, famine, political or religious persecution.

“Colombia has been at war,” says Ozuna. This background prompted him to think about building peace and local initiatives in his hometown, which led him to 91¶ĚĘÓƵ and, after graduation, to three years of working for literacy and homeless centers in Washington D.C. Last summer, he and his wife returned to Harrisonburg to be near family and continue his education at the .

Shortly after his return, he was hired by to take over for Vaunda Brown, who had directed the festival for 17 years.

Ozuna’s background as an immigrant gives him insight into coordinating the various cultural groups participating in the festival. While the community was “open and responsive” when he first came to Harrisonburg, he found it difficult to identify his role here. That is something he hopes to provide through the festival – roles in which people can be helpful and connected, and still celebrate their separate identities.

Identity is enriched by cultural engagement

“Differences can either threaten us or awaken curiosity,” says Ozuna. Ideally, he says, by engaging with other cultures, our own identity is enriched and strengthened.

Ozuna stresses the importance of valuing people’s identities and backgrounds while inviting them to join a larger network. Eighteen years ago, the festival was started as a reconciliation effort to promote tolerance within the community. “We invite people to bring and share [cultural] symbols that help them to celebrate with and respect others.”

During the day-long free event, attendees will encounter a reggae band, Aztec dancers honoring the earth, a global fashion show, local artists, and different kinds of food, among “many other surprises,” he said.

Ozuna hopes this will be a “joyful experience” for both educating and forming relationships throughout the community. The new director is “mostly open to learning from the festival this year … and building a good experience with the people who have made the festival happen these last 18 years.”

91¶ĚĘÓƵ is both a sponsor of the event and a contributor. Matthew Freed, recycling crew leader, explains that his department has donated the use of for about eight years. Members of the typically volunteer to collect and sort recyclable materials at the event.

“It is a beautiful festival,” says Freed. “Harrisonburg is a diverse city to begin with, so having a festival celebrating the different cultures within Harrisonburg is a great idea. It is a great learning experience and eye-opening to see all the different backgrounds folks have from the community.”

Volunteer opportunities

Volunteer opportunities include setting up, parking cars, helping with various duties at the event, promoting the festival through social media, or providing monetary support. To learn more, visit the festival’s or email Heidi Jablonski at volunteerhif@fairfieldcenter.org.