In 2023, the UEF Service-Learning Center organized From Conflict to Compassion, a two-day training program. Many professionals from social organizations, non-profits and educational institutions came together to exchange experiences with two experts from Play for Peace, a global educational organization that uses experiential activities to promote connection and peace. Through activities that seemed simple, participants discovered the power of "playing together": it bridges gaps, opens up space for interaction and brings people closer to one another.

Three years later, that spirit carried on through the Reunion Gathering. Participants included partners from the 2023 program, people interested in the Play for Peace philosophy, and leaders of community projects at UEF. The gathering was once again led by Swati Bhatt and Agyatmitra, certified Play for Peace trainers with more than 25 years of experience running programs in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar, Vietnam, Senegal, South Sudan, Greece and Italy.

Speaking at the event, Ms. Tran Thi My Phuong, LLM, Director of the UEF Service-Learning Center, thanked the two experts for their continued support and for sharing their expertise with the Center's partner community.

The gathering did not follow a presentation format. Instead, participants took part in a series of interactive experiences to explore what makes a community peaceful and connected. Each person was placed in concrete situations to observe how they interact with others, how a group builds trust, and how differences can be met with understanding rather than judgment. One of the most memorable activities was built around a reverse question: "What could we do to turn a workshop into the worst possible experience?" As participants listed the behaviors and attitudes that make a space for dialogue heavy and ineffective, they had the chance to reflect on their own roles. Values such as fairness, listening, presence, respect, openness and non-judgment stopped being abstract ideas and became concrete parts of every interaction.

Through this approach, play becomes a way for people to learn to be present, to listen, to share and to build trust, not just a form of entertainment.

For those working directly with young people in schools, social organizations, NGOs or community projects, the gathering offered ideas that can be applied right away when designing activities:

- First, take it step by step. A newly formed group is not ready to share deeply right away. Fun and interaction lay the foundation, and openness and trust follow.

- Second, try asking a reverse question. When the whole group answers "What would ruin this space?", they often build shared ground rules more effectively than if they were handed a ready-made list of rules.

- Third, let values be experienced. Instead of talking about respect or listening, create situations where participants can feel them for themselves.

From the training program in 2023 to this reunion, the journey shows the value of connections that are sustained beyond a single event. Each time people meet again, those who share common interests find one another, exchange experiences across different cultural contexts, expand their networks and explore new avenues for collaboration.

Through the Reunion Gathering, the UEF Service-Learning Center continues its role as a bridge between the University and the community, bringing international methods and perspectives closer to the people who are directly creating social initiatives. From these initial connections, the network is expected to grow into deeper partnerships that create positive and lasting impact for the community.

UEF