This experiential workshop invites participants to explore peace — both personal and collective — through the Tree of Life narrative methodology, adapted from narrative therapy and community-based healing practices. The “value of the second story” will serve as the guiding principle, offering a space to reframe personal histories, highlight strengths, and envision a hopeful future.

Through guided reflection and creative expression, participants will construct their own “Tree of Life” using visual metaphors for roots (heritage, values), trunk (skills, strengths), branches (dreams, hopes), leaves (significant people), and fruits (gifts from others).

Participants will then engage in structured storytelling and small-group dialogue to uncover their “second story” — the story of resilience and possibility that coexists alongside life’s challenges.

By centering the process in Carl Rogers’ person-centered approach, the workshop fosters unconditional positive regard, empathy, and authenticity, allowing each person’s narrative to become a seed of peace within themselves and their communities.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

Explain the concept of the “second story” and its relevance to personal and collective peace.

Apply the Tree of Life activity as a tool for narrative reframing within a person-centered framework.

Identify strategies to use narrative-based activities to foster empathy, connection, and reconciliation in diverse settings.

Relevance to Forum Theme:

The Tree of Life method promotes peace by honoring individual experiences while highlighting shared humanity. It creates a safe space for authentic dialogue, builds mutual understanding, and cultivates internal calm — all key components of peace as envisioned by the person-centered approach. Participants will leave not only with a personal artifact but also with practical skills to facilitate peace-building conversations in their own communities.