Help us build lifelong problem-solving and conflict resolution skills in youth through our award-winning Conflict Resolution Workshops!

Winner of the Ontario Museum Association Award of Excellence in Programs for 2015!

Learning from the Past...For the Future
Developed to build problem-solving and conflict resolution skills in children and youth, the pilot phase of the Conflict Resolution workshops was launched in September 2014. Supported by a $34,700 Ontario Trillium Foundation grant, the Diefenbunker was able to deliver workshops at no cost to over 38 classes/groups from 16 schools and 2 community organizations in this pilot phase; training over 1,000 youth in grades 7 and 8 in conflict resolution.

The program was developed in partnership with YOUCAN Ottawa, a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to empowering and building a culture of peace among today's youth. With YOUCAN's support and that of the schools participating in the pilot, the Diefenbunker developed an approach that has multiple components at school and in the Museum: the basic principles of conflict resolution are taught in class, and then put into practice at the Museum through lockdown scenarios based on actual exercises used to train government officials at the Diefenbunker in the 1980's.

Agents of Positive Change
"Museums are in the position to become strong partners and allies of schools and community groups as agents of positive change," says Heather Montgomery, the Diefenbunker's Education & Visitor Experience Manager. "It is important for museums, as educational and community institutions, to work with youth of all backgrounds and to help with the development of a strong and vibrant community."

Promote a Culture of Peace
Since the program’s pilot phase, the Diefenbunker has continued to offer workshops to over 3600 youth for free or at a highly subsidized rate. As a non-for-profit charity, we need your support to help the schools and community groups that are most in need.

• Your donation of $25 will provide workshop materials to one class.
• Your donation of $250 will help to cover bus costs for one class.
• Your donation of $500 will cover the full cost of the workshop for one class.

There is no other museum like the Diefenbunker. With your help, there will never have to be another museum like the Diefenbunker. By providing today's youth with sound skills in problem-solving and conflict resolution, we're one step closer to making this statement a reality.