On 13 October, the City Council of Alfaz del Pi hosted a training session for students enrolled in the Emergency Management Vocational Education module at the Alfaz del Pi Secondary School. The activity was organized by Helsinki España and funded through the MEDIAPROP 2025 programme, promoted by the Valencian Regional Government.
Under the title “Mediation Tools for a Resilient Community”, the training aimed to provide young people with skills in empathetic communication, peaceful conflict resolution and emotional management in high-tension situations, in order to strengthen positive coexistence and responsible participation within the school and local community.
The session was led by specialist Christian Ricos Sevilla, who worked with the students through participatory dynamics, practical simulations and role-playing exercises. Throughout the activities, students learned to identify early signs of conflict, improve active listening, reduce emotional escalation and promote cooperation within peer groups.
In addition, the training included basic non-confrontational self-protection strategies. The approach focused on helping students avoid feeling defenseless in tense situations, stay calm, and make quick and safe decisions.
In one of the practical exercises, for example, students learned how to use everyday classroom objects, such as a chair, to create space and temporary protection, gaining time to call for help or exit the situation. The goal of these techniques is to prevent harm, not to counter-attack: to protect one’s physical and emotional integrity with prudence, clarity and responsibility.
Main content areas covered:
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- Clear communication and emotional management in tense situations
- Prevention of rumors and improvement of the school climate
- Peaceful conflict resolution and cooperation
- Basic non-confrontational self-protection strategies
- Building support networks and resilient communities.
This initiative is part of the MEDIAPROP 2025 programme of the Valencian Regional Government, which seeks to promote a culture of mediation, peaceful coexistence and the dialogued resolution of conflicts—particularly among young people, who are key agents of social cohesion.
“Training young people in mediation is an investment in a more empathetic and collaborative society. They are the future of our communities and must be equipped with tools to face conflict through dialogue and mutual understanding,” stated the President of Helsinki España.
The training was held with the collaboration of the City Council of Alfaz del Pi, the Alfaz del Pi Secondary School, Helsinki España, and the MEDIAPROP 2025 programme of the Valencian Regional Government.