MemoriaLab

MemoriaLab is a pioneering and innovative initiative promoting citizen dialogue and co-existence after decades of political and armed conflict in Basque Country. It does so by convening highly diverse citizen dialogue groups where memory is used as a way of raising awareness about how the conflict affected citizens’ lifes (social construction of memory). Its ultimate purpose lies on creating a safe and serene environment wherein citizens, social activists, local politicians and public civil servants who suffered the consequences of the conflict can revisit their past and update their belief systems and relational patterns in the light of the new context brought by the permanent ceasefire of ETA (Basque separatist terrorist group). An innovative set of approaches and methodologies are used to enhance and deepen the experience during 1 or 2-day Labs. The methodology incorporates traditional methods used in reconciliation processes (circle of testimonials, objects as symbolic representations) with more advanced methods coming from other disciplines (art and creativity, multi-stakeholder dialogues, process-oriented psychology (Process Work), systems thinking, Theory U, etc.). This combination helps participants to process their testimonials and experiences in a more profound and meaningful way. This experiential approach, which also integrates embodied learning methods and tools, has a powerful effect in terms of raising awareness, opening-up to diversity and updating people’s shared understanding and individual positioning as regards to the new context.

Approach	Diversity as a common viewpoint
Target Audience	Society
Materials	Citizen encounters  with storytelling, symbolic objects, process oriented psychology (Process Work), systemic constellations, Theory U, plastic arts, role analysis.
Geographical scope	Basque Country, Spain
Start of practice	2015
Country of origin	Spain