The art of Encounter

How can simulation games facilitate reconciliation and resilience? The examples underline - from the perspective of psychology of religion - that the answer is as complex as the phenomena of reconciliation and resilience. The example of the biblical conflict between Jacob and Esau underline that resilience and reconciliation depend on coping with identity, belonging, and communication. The examples of historical situations from Poland, Czech republic, and Latvia, which are transformed into current experiences, emphasize these particular aspects: Ghetto-situations (identity), expulsion situations (belonging/home), and situations of religious socialization (dialogue/trialogue). They invite, to develop own coping, reconciliation and resilience strategies from such models.

Geert Franzenburg, PhD, is concerned - as theologian, psychologist of religion and pastoral care, and historian - with the complex relationship between remembrance, reconciliation and resilience in his research projects and as a adult educator and university lecturer.