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Center for Dialogue and Conflict Transformation

“WELCOME FROM THE DIRECTOR”

As the African quote reminds us, “if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” The Center for Dialogue and Conflict Transformation seeks to engage with LCC students, staff, local and international researchers, practitioners, activists, and communities to promote and strengthen a culture of peace both locally and globally.  We invite you to join us on our journey towards building peace.

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Naomi Enns
Director, Center for Dialogue and Conflict Transformation

Purpose statement

LCC’s peace center, grounded in Christian faith, offers opportunities for building bridges of trust, transforming relationships, and equipping communities. The center aims to strengthen, transform, and sustain servant change agents towards the creation of a more just and peaceful world. Opportunities for gathering and growing together strengthens the LCC ethos of non-violent peacebuilding guided by 4 pillars articulated below. These pillars advance our understanding and action towards peace in local and global pathways through dialogue, trainings, and action. The Center is a catalyst for strengthening communities in nonviolent social change, generous hospitality, and holistic justice to promote the greater common good of our society.

Conflict Transformation & Resilience

We work with people to transform conflict on personal, interpersonal, community and societal levels by building bridges of trust, fostering reconciliation, and strengthening resiliency. Through respectful engagement we equip communities to live justly and nurture a sustainable peace. 

Applied Research & Dialogue

We work with students and researchers in the areas of conflict and peace studies and promote events that stimulate dialogue on critical issues that impact our world.  The goal is to invite students, international researchers, and others to connect academic research to practice.

Action, Advocacy & Awareness Raising

We challenge a culture of oppression, promote actions which pursue justice, increase understanding and engagement in human rights issues, and strengthen positive service and citizenship. We use dialogue, learning events and workshops to empower communities to live generously.

Peace, Dialogue & Trainings

We foster an awareness of the cycles of violence and provide tools to nonviolently engage conflict, oppression, and trauma. We use human encounters to transform relationships, expand our understanding and actions toward peace, and nurture health and healing towards a more just and peaceful world.

Staff

Lcc staff member profile photo

Ieva Rūkė

CDCT Coordinator

Lcc staff member profile photo

Naomi Enns

Director, Center for Dialogue and Conflict Transformation

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News and Events

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Nurturing Healthy Conflict Navigation through Dialogue for Peaceful Change

2025-10-23

From October 9th to 12th, our team participated in athe Dialogue for Peaceful Change Global training hosted by the peace Center for Dialogue and Conflict Transformation at LCC International University. It, which has played a valuable role in enhancing our conflict management and dialogue skills. During the four intensive day training, the participants immersed themselves in interactive learning. Participants from Mozambique, USA, Lithuania, Kurdistan, Canada, Ukraine, Sri Lanka, Nagaland/India, exploreding ways of navigating conflict well. This included growing our understandings of the definitions of conflict and peace, how neuroscience and its biology are involved, to group exercises and practical tasks in as well as empathic mediation and communication methods and organizational change management through group exercises and practical tasks. Andreii Zdybaj, a 4th year International Relations and Development student noted how “tThe training format not only increased our theoretical knowledge but also allowed us to immediately apply this knowledge in practice, analyzing real world situations, in which we learned by finding constructive conflict resolutions”.This training was especially valuable and included both staff and students this time. It for it took place in an open and respectful atmosphere, where each participant was able to share their experiences and perspectives, deepening our common understanding of conflict processes and potential solutions. Not only didhave we gainedgain new tools but also felt inspired to continue developing a culture of dialogue within ourselves, our organizations,  and our communities. Participating in this training hadhas helped us to better understand how to transform tensions into opportunities for collaboration and growth. This experience was a definitive step in strengthening our expertise in the field of dialogue and peaceful change.

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International Peace Days at LCC International University

2025-10-15

This year on 18-19 September, to honor and celebrate International Peace Days at LCC International University, we met and listened to two international activists. One was from Israel/Palestine working with Musalaha in bridging the divides that exist from ongoing conflict. The other activist was Dr. Geke Van Vliet from Germany. She is a scholar, an ally, and a climate peace activist. Together we witnessed how they raise their voices on ways to bring peace to a world that craves peace today.The days began with an exhibit about nature and peace. We explored how the world around us might shape our narratives. Photos by students and staff highlighted nature and how it shapes their understanding of what peace might be. During this time, an interactive workshop on Planting Hope was held. It involved our LCC community of students and staff coming together and creating small, planted arrangements within a jar. It was a way to nurture hope and build resilient peace within us by being able to actively care for these newly planted symbols of life throughout the year which we were able to take home. In addition, a highlight of the Planting Hope exhibit was an interactive display where a peace tree was created with fingerprints from LCC students as  tree leaves and fruit as a representation of their place in our planet’s ecosystem and as a  representation of people who want to bring peace and prosperity to the world.Later in the day, a small discussion with the Musalaha peacebuilder continued with the theme of “Dry Lands and Hot Zones”, which was meaningful and eye-opening on different matters.  Her presentation related to the present conflict in Israel/Palestine, helping us to reflect on the need for peace in the world, our parts in it, and appreciate the peace we have in our daily life.A panel discussion, followed by both activists in addition to two guest speakers from LCC; Dr, Michael McDougal and Katherine Handal Gabrie, who each shared their opinions and experiences on peace building related to these different societies. The event helped students and staff learn more about the violations of human rights in the Gaza Strip and raised awareness about the ongoing war and its impact on lives of all those living in Israel/Palestine and abroad.On day two we joined in a Peace Wave, a moment of silence remembering the many different lands where conflicts are impacting the lives of people, places and our planet. The two-day event ended with ‘coffee with an activist’, as Dr. Geke Van Vliet shared about the challenges and joys of being an activist while leading a conversation that looked at nonviolent change and social action.  During these days we were reminded of our place and relational responsibilities in a world of pain, a world in need of more peaceful societies.  Valentyna Bober, a Peace Center volunteer and fourth year IRD student, shared her experience as a participant in International Peace Day events saying “This is my third year being involved with Peace Days in LCC. I enjoy this opportunity to tackle serious conflicts and disruptive actions through the lens of peacebuilding and the possibility to not only bring awareness but also bring tools to raise resilience and hope. This year, the planting workshop was truly a highlight, as it gave the important reminder that peace is about reconnection with roots, roots of nature or your heritage. I hope that International Peace Days will continue to grow in the hearts of LCC students.” The International Peace Days at LCC International University was a powerful message on the importance of peace in today's world. Specifically, in the time of wars and conflicts that are happening now such as in Ukraine and Gaza. our LCC students and faculty were inspired to resilience and nurture hope within themselves and the LCC community through meaningful actions and interactions such as planting hope, the peace exhibition, panel discussions, and the creation of the peace tree. The panel discussion and the interactions with guests and the LCC community were eye-opening; highlighting the importance of collective and individual actions needed to achieve peacebuilding in today's world with its many conflicts and divisions. This event raised awareness about the ongoing Palestine/Israel conflict but it also equipped the participants with tools that will help individuals to work on peacebuilding. This event gave the community and the participants valuable knowledge on ways to build peace in their lives and communities.
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Conference "Creating Resilient Communities for Peace and Justice: The Roles of Business and Civil Society"

February 26 – March 1, 2026

In a world of uncertainty, collaboration between business, civil society, and grassroot actors is essential to advancing peace, justice, and sustainable development. This four-day conference will unite global leaders, scholars, entrepreneurs, and practitioners to explore how cross-sector partnerships strengthen community resilience and support practical development work in conflict-affected contexts.

Call for papers > Conference poster >

“Featured guest:
Virginija Poškutė”

Virginija Poškutė, a renowned economist and social policy expert, brings a wealth of international experience and a deep understanding of the social issues shaping our world today. As a professor at ISM University in Vilnius, Lithuania, and a former Fulbright researcher in the United States, she has dedicated her career to exploring the complexities of social policy, welfare economics, and societal resilience. In her keynote, Virginija will delve into the evolving roles of government, business, and civil society amid geopolitical uncertainties and social challenges. She will illuminate how shifting perceptions and emerging barriers impact civil society’s voice and vital contribution to peace and justice. Join us to explore pathways toward stronger, more inclusive communities grounded in collaboration and shared responsibility.

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“Featured guest:
Dr. Dorothy Nyambi”

Dr. Dorothy Nyambi is a distinguished leader with over 25 years of experience in the international development, entrepreneurial, and humanitarian sectors. Her career is defined by a strong commitment to ensuring that women and girls are not left behind, particularly through her work in impact investing and blended finance. With lived experience across Africa and the Global South, Dorothy has become a champion of economic transformation, driving initiatives that create job opportunities for women and youth, particularly within agri-food systems. As CEO of MEDA, Dorothy leads the organization’s impactful work across Africa, Latin America and the Caribbeans and Southeast Asia leveraging partnerships with institutional funders, foundations, and MEDA private supporter to drive economic growth. A passionate advocate for system change, Dorothy believes in the power of entrepreneurship within market systems to alleviate poverty and promote sustainable, inclusive growth. Through her leadership, she continues to drive systemic transformation that expands youth employment by strengthening the agri-food sector. Dorothy is a founding member of Gender Summit Africa and a life member of AWID.

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Registration

To register for the ‘Creating Resilient Communities for Peace and Justice’ Conference you need to complete an online registration form by 10 February 2026

  • Early Registration Fee is due by 20 December 2025 
  • Registration Fee Deadline is by 10 February 2026
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Payment

Regular Participants: (Community Leaders, LCC Staff/Faculty and others) 

  • 80 Euros by Early Bird Deadline 
  • 100 Euros by Deadline 

Students: LCC Students (or students coming from Eastern Europe, Asia or Southern countries) 

  • 20 Euros by Early Bird Deadline 
  • 30 Euros by Deadline 

Non-LCC/ External Students (from Western Europe to North America) 

  • 40 Euros by Early Bird Deadline 
  • 60 Euros by Deadline 

Alumnus – LCC Student Graduates from 2024-25 only 

  • 50 Euros by Early Bird Deadline 
  • 70 Euros by Deadline 

*Registration fee includes meals, breaks and access to all conference events and materials. If costs are prohibitive, please contact nenns@lcc.lt for assistance consideration.

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Past events

One-day learning journey conference bringing together scholars, artists, community activists, and practitioners to explore how art, vision, and spirituality can serve as powerful tools for peacemaking in an increasingly fragmented world.

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Countless people around the world have experienced and been affected by wars, violence, and genocides. We recognize that the wounds that were inflicted by these events affect each society differently. Wounded societies share many of the same questions. How can we overcome historical legacies, remember truthfully, and find hope for the future? How can we bridge the gap between victims and perpetrators, friends and perceived enemies, using language as a tool for reconciliation? How might we heal divisions in fragmented societies?

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The opening conference for the center offered 3 strands of critical thinking on the theme of narratives, the place of storytelling and their role in healing and building a democratic society. Be engaging with our heads, hearts and hands we nurtured our walk together towards peace.

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Trainings

Dialogue for peaceful change

Through interactive activities and scenario-based learning, participants will explore key topics such as the conflict continuum, biology of conflict, mediative communication skills, and managing organizational change. The training offers a unique opportunity to develop valuable skills for fostering positive change in personal and professional settings. Participants may register for the full program or choose to attend a single module (Module 1 must be taken before Module 2).
Module 1 & Module 2 October 2025
Module 1 & Module 2 January 2026

Registration to DPC training

Registration fees
  • External Participants 300 Eur (150 Eur per module).
  • External Institutions with 2 individuals registered we apply a 50% discount for the second employee.
  • LCC Staff  - 100 Eur/ 50 Eur per Module.
  •  LCC Student Fee: 30 Eur /15 Eur per Module.
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