The following testimonial is provided by John Chappell, a 2019 Salaam Fellow, and is based on his experience in the Salaam Fellowship for Conflict Resolution.
Ever since I participated in the Salaam Fellowship, I have found myself constantly applying the skills I learned. Learning negotiation and conflict resolution skills was an exceptional opportunity to step away from the pressures of academic and professional responsibilities and truly focus on improving myself. I wish everyone had the chance to take part in such a transformative program. I have used the conflict resolution tools from the Salaam Fellowship while interacting with my classmates, working on team projects, and negotiating major purchases.
In a time of intense political and social polarization, learning how to truly listen for the sake of understanding another person’s point of view is invaluable.
Participating in the Salaam Fellowship taught me how to approach empathy not only as an inherent ability but also as a skill that I can practice through the tools that we learned. I know I am going to continue using the skills I learned during the Salaam Fellowship for years to come.
During the Salaam Fellowship, I got to apply conflict resolution skills to real challenges. Hearing from community leaders and scholars in Morocco allowed me to use a conflict resolution framework to approach issues that affect peoples’ lives every day and consider potential solutions.
One of the most meaningful aspects of the Salaam Fellowship was the friendships that I made with my fellow participants. The Open Hands Initiative gathered an exceptional group of young Moroccans and Americans who I had the pleasure of getting to know during our fellowship. A dynamic group of scholars, activists, and diplomats, the Salaam Fellows challenged, engaged, and taught me in ways that I would have never expected.
The Open Hands Initiative team planned an outstanding program that allowed us to explore and build relationships while engaging with challenging material. The Open Hands Initiative’s generosity and attention to detail made for an unforgettable, transformative experience. I would highly recommend the Open Hands Initiative to any changemaker searching for an opportunity to learn new skills, form meaningful relationships, and explore challenging ideas.
John Chappell is a graduate student studying international relations at Georgetown University. He is pursuing a career focused on US foreign policy in the Middle East and North Africa with a focus on conflict, human rights, and political transition. John has previously spearheaded grassroots initiatives related to voting rights, civic participation, and political organizing. He is a graduate of the University of Mississippi, where his research focused on water politics in Tafilalet, Morocco. John speaks English, Arabic, and Moroccan Darija.