Glossary — Safe Youth Dialogues

Trauma-informed facilitation	A way of facilitating that prioritizes safety, choice and consent, and avoids pressure to share personal stories.
Retraumatization	When an activity unintentionally re-activates overwhelming distress linked to past experiences.
Internally displaced people, displacement	People who have been forced to flee their homes by conflict, violence, persecution or disasters, however, unlike refugees, they remain within their own country.
Post-Conflict Dialogue	Post-conflict dialogue is a critical peacebuilding process aimed at reconciliation, rebuilding trust, and transitioning from violence to sustainable peace. It involves inclusive, multi-stakeholder engagements—ranging from grassroots community efforts to national-level negotiations—to address grievances, foster social cohesion, and prevent the recurrence of violence.
Containment	Holding emotions within safe limits through structure and facilitation so the group can process without overwhelm.
Social cohesion	The strength of relationships and the sense of solidarity among members of a community, often described as the "glue" that binds society together. It is characterized by high levels of trust, a shared sense of belonging, and active participation, aiming to create an inclusive society with equal opportunities.
Safe space	A place or environment in which a person or category of people can feel confident that they will not be exposed to discrimination, criticism, harassment, or any other emotional or physical harm.
Grounding activities	Techniques designed to quickly detach you from emotional pain, anxiety, or panic by focusing on the present moment and physical sensations.
Reflection	A structured, purposeful time dedicated to reviewing experiences, analyzing actions, and discussing lessons learned to turn experience into insight.
Debrief	A structured, post-event session used to reflect on a workshop's effectiveness, analyze what was learned, and determine improvements. It focuses on actionable insights—what worked, what didn't, and key takeaways—rather than assigning blame, usually within 48-72 hours to ensure details are fresh.
Self-regulation techniques	Conscious strategies used to manage emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in pursuit of long-term goals or to adapt to changing circumstances. These techniques enable individuals to control impulsive reactions, reduce stress, and maintain focus, fostering resilience and better decision-making.
Experience-based learning	Learning that starts from what people do/experience, not from lectures or “right answers”.
Participatory methodologies	Approaches where participants actively shape the process and learning, not just receive content.
Non-verbal participation	Valid participation through silence, observation, gesture, or creative expression (without speaking).
Dixit cards, Associative cards	A set of large, text-free playing cards featuring surreal, whimsical, and intricate illustrations. They function as metaphorical, associative, or projective tools because their dreamlike, ambiguous imagery allows people to assign various meanings and emotions.
Role-play	An interactive method where participants act out realistic scenarios to practice communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills in a safe environment. It involves adopting specific personas to experience different perspectives, often used for professional development, empathy training, or simulating challenging real-world situations.
De-roling	The process of consciously stepping out of a character, role, or intense emotional state and returning to one's own identity.