The Bridge or the Wall?

An expanded, replayable peace dilemma. Your choices shape trust, safety, and justice in your town.

Chapter: 1/6 Trust: 0 Safety: 0 Justice: 0

You are a villager in a town divided by conflict. One morning, a neighbor from the other side greets you warmly.

Facilitator note Use this opening to discuss first impressions and micro-gestures of welcome. Ask: “What small actions lower the temperature?”

Later, two youths argue in the marketplace. Voices rise. People gather. You feel the moment tipping.

Facilitator note Discuss bystander roles: direct, delegate, distract, delay. Which is safest? Which builds trust?

You intervene with calm voice and open palms. “I want to hear both of you.” You set ground rules: no insults, speak from experience, one at a time.

You signal an elder who joins you. Together, you create space. The youths cool down under shared attention.

The crowd’s mood sours. A shove. A shout. Later, you regret not acting sooner.

That evening, a rumor spreads online: “They planned the fight.” The post is anonymous and inflammatory.

Facilitator note Explore misinformation. Practice a 3-step pause: verify, humanize, de‑escalate.

You check with people who were present and compare posts. The rumor collapses under scrutiny. You post a calm correction and invite dialogue.

You share a reflection about empathy and conflict without pointing fingers. Some respond thoughtfully, others demand names.

The rumor spreads. A parent posts angrily. Tension returns to the streets.

At the town hall, leaders debate: build a wall for “security,” or invest in a bridge and peace circles?

Facilitator note Contrast immediate safety feelings vs. long-term safety through trust and justice.

A circle forms: the two youths, families, an elder, and you. Stories are shared. Harms named. Needs voiced. Agreements drafted: apology, repair, follow-up checks.

The council advances a barrier plan. Patrols increase. Some feel safer; others feel targeted.

Weeks pass. Youths help repaint the marketplace and host a listening booth. The town watches what you model.

Facilitator quick guide

  • Bystander skills Direct • Delegate • Distract • Delay
  • Rumor hygiene Verify • Humanize • De‑escalate
  • Restorative steps Name harms • Needs • Agreements • Follow‑up
  • Safety vs. Security Immediate measures vs. long-term trust & justice

This module is self‑contained. You can edit the text directly in this file to localize names, places, and examples.


Tip: This file tracks three values — Trust, Safety, and Justice. Endings change based on totals.