'I Am Alfred' is a conflict transformation project. It will result in a documentary presenting stories on how urban conflicts transform negatively or positively. The Alfred who lent his name to the title is a young man in Cape Town. Listen to him on http://www.youtube.com/user/Design4Governance, a short clip of the end product. Wanting to keep away from crime Alfred seeks support. He needs people to give him things to do and pay him for that. Some do. Others disagree. They see Alfred as a threat. Intense confrontations and debate within the community follows. Alfred leaves.

Alfred's story is one of seven. Stories set in Rotterdam, Mumbai, Yokohama, Sao Paolo, Seattle and New York will follow. Initial goal is to offer students an innovative learning environment, focussing on ways to resolve urban conflict. The documentary will go accompanied by -amongst others- a book, a theater production and a web based conflict transformation game. Pilot target group currently are students at Safety and Security Management Studies at the The Hague University, the European hub for professional training in the field of public safety and secruity mangement. Conflict transformation and resolution are key elements in the curriculum. In the end a version for the general public will be available.

'I Am Alfred' is produced by Design for Governance, a network of safety and security management experts, artists, writers, filmers and photogarphers, theater makers, academics.

From June 27 to 1 July Rob Ruts, head of Safety and Security Management Studies in The Hague and documentary maker, will be in New York City. He is extremely interested in meeting conflict resolution practioners, to be informed on current practice and to discuss 'I Am Alfred'. Those interested please contact Rob at rob@design4governance. He will of course be happy to provide you with further information on 'I Am Alfred'.