World House of Rondine
Are you ready to learn how to transform the conflict into an opportunity and generate social change?
The World House program is the experience that you are looking for!
What is Rondine?
What is the World House?
The program that gave rise and inspiration to Rondine is the World House: since 1998, it has hosted young people who come from countries where, whether currently or recently, conflict has degenerated into violent forms.
They accept to live with their “enemy”, to learn how to face their conflict and turn it into an opportunity for change.
The World House program lasts 18 months. It is an educational program where participants can enhance their ability for creative conflict transformation. This occurs at individual, relational, and social levels through conviviality, formal and non-formal education, engagement in public and institutional events, as well as involvement in volunteer activities.
At the end of the program, the young participants of the World House are empowered with the tools to drive change. They possess the ability to employ relational facilitation skills and leadership qualities in environments marked by rapid transformation, elevated complexity, and high levels of conflict—all nurtured through their experience at Rondine.
Currently, the World House hosts thirty students from twenty-five different countries in Europe, Africa, America and Asia.
World House: the main focuses
Daily life
Participation and exchange in daily life represent the most important elements of the Rondine experience. It is a unique occasion to get to know different points of view thanks to the continuous connection with other participants living in different conflict situations and having different cultures, experiences, and emotional backgrounds. The interpersonal relationship established in daily life is the key to overcoming a conflict. Other crucial factors are listening to the other, comprehension, dialogue, and sharing.
Capacity building training
Participants receive high-level training on topics related to conflict transformation, emotional intelligence, communication abilities, and methodologies. The training is carried out by Rondine’s team, international academics, practitioners, and trainers. Through formal lectures, seminars, and non-formal activities, the training provides essential tools and knowledge to increase self-awareness and to be able to develop concrete opportunities to make a social impact in their communities.
Civic engagement
World House fellows are involved in institutional events, divulgatory activities, media exposure, educational and training moments for schools and other organizations, voluntary and charity activities. Therefore, they are active participants in all the initiatives that Rondine promotes and adheres to, with the aim of realizing Rondine’s mission.
Formal education
The last part of the program is a professional and academic specialization, which includes attendance at a master's course in Italian Universities (Florence, Siena). Participation in Academic studies aims to prepare for careers with more sensibility and orientation to social change.
Eligible master courses
Training Program
July- September
September-December
It is a reciprocal trial period: the World House candidate can assess if Rondine meets their expectations, thanks to meetings with the educational staff and the direct experience of cohabitation with the other participants.
At the same time, the staff verifies if the participant’s characteristics meet the required profile to commit to the Rondine program.
Focuses:
• intensive study of the Italian language
• team building
• introduction to the Rondine Method
January – June
Training for junior participants consists of lectures, non-formal educational activities, peer education, trips, meetings with the educational staff.
Participants attend their chosen academic master.
Focuses:
• conflict analisys and transformation
• education to environmental sustainability
• human rights
• communication skills
• group facilitation
• emotional intelligence
July – December
Focuses:
• leadership
• effective communication
• project design
• basic elements of project management
SOCIAL IMPACT SEMESTER
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for young people
Interested in conflicts (personal, interpersonal, social, international)
Willing to be future leaders
Curious to live with youth having different religions and cultures
Selection steps
November 2024
Opening of the call for participants
February – March 2025
Deadline for submission of application
January – May 2025
Pre-selection phase, Interviews and Italian test
June 2025
Selection results
July 7, 2025
Inception phase – online
July – September 2025
Administrative procedures
September 22, 2025
Residential program starting date
If you want to join Rondine
1
Aged 21 – 28
2
Holder of a Bachelor’s degree (or going to earn it by July 2025)
3
Willing to be engaged in civil society
The 2025 call for participants will be available in November 2024. For info: [email protected]
The project is realized thanks to the contribution and sponsorship of
