Deputy General Manager of the Warriors Affairs Commission: “We established these NGOs to rebuild and settle the country, to create common ground for people to come closer to understanding other people’s opinions and avoid violence.”
‘Dialogue did not exist in time of Gadaffi’
Dr. Mabruk Belhag, Deputy General Manager of the Warriors Affairs Commission, knows it’s good to talk, and he wants Libyans to do more of it. Especially as there is now more to talk about, more topics to form an opinion on and more issues and matters to agree or disagree over and debate about.
This new-found space and freedom in which to think and debate is a big area to occupy. “Dialogue is not necessarily new to the Libyan people, but the revolution enabled us to discuss and talk about many more issues and topics,” says Dr. Belhag sat behind his desk in central Tripoli.
“Before we used to talk and debate in private, away from the public, civil society and the media. But to have these discussions now in public, with normal and different people openly involved, this is what’s new.”
In a post-conflict environment dialogue is very important for any country. In Libya many new differences have surfaced following the revolution, says Belhag, and the only way to deal with them is through talking to each other. That’s why the WAC has overseen the creation of two NGOs -The Libyan National Dialogue based in Mistrata, and the Organisation for National Dialogue in Albeda – that will specialise in encouraging national dialogue as a method of reconciliation and a way to deal with issues and disputes. Out of a total of 300 well-known and prominent figures in their locales from across Libya and who fought during the revolution, 60 were selected and taken for further training courses on crisis dialogue and reconciliation. Then, from these 60 almost half are set to travel to Morocco in early March for further specialist training to develop their skills in national dialogue and reconciliation.
“We established the NGOs to rebuild and settle the country,” continues Belhag. “At the moment most national dialogue is about Thuwar, so if they are trained to lead this, they can play a central role and help in a broader, general national dialogue.”
And when these people return armed with the knowledge and experience they will be able to impart what they have learned throughout civil communities, sharing and teaching methods to societies who need help in developing their own dialogue skills.
Speaking on the telephone from Misrata, Ali Atweeleb, one of the 25 individuals traveling to Morocco and who leads the Libyan National Dialogue NGO, says dialogue did not exist in the time of Gadaffi.
He explains that Misrata was one of the cities which suffered badly during the revolution and was “really hurt by other tribes and groups who were allied to Gadaffi.”
He says many of those wounds and memories are still fresh. “Its difficult telling people to start thinking differently, not this tribal outlook on everything. For the people of Misrata, its hard for them to understand that they need to sit down with those they fought against and begin a dialogue with them.” Atweeleb believes if he can spread the knowledge of the benefits of dialogue, then the people of Misrata can establish a lasting, healthy dialogue with others and begin to reconcile and overcome their differences.
He also wants to encourage people of a younger age to develop the skills of dialogue and constructive conversation by introducing it as a subject to study at school. “The older generation tends to avoid dialogue as a means of solving their problems, so we need to plant this ideal in the minds of our children. We need to start thinking as a society which is responsible for the future of the country.”
Back in his Tripoli office Dr, Belhag considers for a moment before admitting there are many issues concerning politics in Libya of late. “There are so many differing opinions, and so many different voices; these NGOs can sit and create common ground for people to come closer to understanding other people’s opinions and avoid violence.”
Any other option; that option of violence or tribal conflict is dangerous for the future of the country and the Libyan people, he concludes. “Dialogue is the best and only option. We must use common sense in overcoming our differences.”