Psychodrama as Dialogue Between Enemies
Psychodrama as Dialogue Between Enemies
Keynote Address: Yaacov Naor
Walking on a thin edge: being 'in between' as a Psychodrama director working with enemies and conflict groups.
The aim of this keynote is to raise awareness to the very difficult, at times almost impossible, roles we have to take as Psychodrama and Sociodrama leaders directing dialogue and mediation groups. In what way does this work affect us as human beings? How can we stay neutral? How do we deal with our inner aggressor-victim dialogue?
In the last 25 years I am involved in leading special projects dealing with dialogue between enemies. The first one started in 1986 and was called "Confronting The Holocaust". This project is a Psychodramatic and Sociodramatic safe meeting place for Jews, Germans and others who are interested in exploring the traces of the Holocaust in the present. I use the same dialogue psychodrama concept also in meetings between Israelis and Palestinians.
In this keynote I will address the concept of using Psychodrama and Sociodrama in order to encounter the enemy. This work does not necessarily leads to reconciliation but can create a dialogue. I will share some examples of the difficulties meeting the enemy and meaningful and exciting moments in this process. I will talk about the edge of being in between, creating trust, the struggle not to fall into the trap of taking sides, yet keeping my professional and emotional presence.
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