On November 23rd, Peace Brigades International (PBI) hosted its annual Insight Day, an event designed to connect with prospective volunteers and shed light on PBI’s mission and values. Held at De Kargadoor in Utrecht, the day brought together participants eager to learn about PBI’s history, principles, and impactful work. With a range of speakers and interactive sessions, the event highlighted the organization’s commitment to non-violence, non-interference, and consensus-based decision-making, as well as personal stories about working as a PBI volunteer abroad.
Participants arrived at 9:30 a.m. and began the day with a cup of coffee or tea, setting the tone for a friendly and interactive experience. The program officially started at 10 a.m. with an energizing activity and participant introductions, breaking the ice and setting the tone for the rest of the day.
Exploring PBI’s Roots and Principles
PBI volunteers Sarah and Marlinde took us along through PBI’s origin story and history. They explained the 5 pillars of PBI, using examples from their own personal experiences and offered the participants the opportunity to join in as they presented some real-life dilemma’s. The session provided participants with a deeper understanding of how these values guide PBI’s work in conflict zones.
Insights from the Field
After a brief coffee break, Marlinde shared her experiences as a PBI field volunteer in Colombia. Her presentation offered a personal look at the practice of Protective Accompaniment. She shared her insights on the daily work of the field volunteers and the challenges and rewards of working in high-risk environments. Her personal stories painted a interesting picture of the impact of PBI’s efforts to protect human rights defenders.
The PBI Card Game: A Day in the Life of a Volunteer
Following lunch, participants recharged with another energizing activity before diving into the next segment of the day, the PBI card game. In small groups, they tackled the challenge of designing a realistic weekly schedule for field volunteers using consensus-based decision-making. This interactive exercise provided a glimpse into the complexities and teamwork required in the field.
A Powerful Guest Speaker
The afternoon featured a moving session with guest speaker Tsano from Zimbabwe. As an LGBTQIA+ human rights defender, Tsano shared the challenges she encountered in her home country and her experiences as part of the Shelter City program in Utrecht. Her story of courage and resilience left the participants inspired and in awe of her bravery and boldness.
Opportunities to Get Involved
To wrap up the presentations, Sarah returned to discuss PBI’s current activities in the Netherlands, the application process for international volunteering, and upcoming opportunities in Honduras. The formal program concluded with an informal networking session, where participants, speakers, and volunteers continued the conversations over drinks at De Kargadoor’s bar.
We would like to give a special thanks to De Kargadoor for hosting and providing a welcoming space, and to the speakers, volunteers, and engaged participants whose contributions made the PBI Insight Day a success. The event was made possible by Vfonds, Haella and Human Rights Utrecht. Stay tuned for future PBI events by following our website and social media channels!