Introduction to Methods of Conflict Resolution I CONFLICT CYCLE AND INTERVENTIONS IN CONFLICT

Introduction to Methods of Conflict Resolution I CONFLICT CYCLE AND INTERVENTIONS IN CONFLICT

Agenda About Conflict Resolution Group Work Conflict Cycle Qualitative Definition of Conflict Root causes of Conflict Contingency Model of Conflict Intervention

What is The most effective, long lasting and immediate system is to modify the way in which the conflict is perceived and to address its origins and the conditions that have allowed it to develop

The different mechanisms of Conflict Resolution Early Warning and Conflict Prevention Conflict settlement Conflict management Conflict transformation

Group Exercise Gather in country groups Think creatively about the application of the conflict resolution continuum to your specific context Think about mechanisms and instruments within each Conflict Resolution Process 20 mins group work Presentations on Flip-chart for 2 mins Debate

What is Conflict Conflict is the pursuit of incompatible goals by different parties

Conflict Perspectives Social Conflict is an expressed struggle between two or more interdependent parties who perceive scare resources, incompatible goals and interference. Conflict is an escalated competition at any system level between groups whose aim is to gain advantage in the area of power, resources, interests, and needs and at least one of the groups believes that this dimension of the relationship is mutually incompatible.

Conflict Quality Spoilers Patterns Dividers

3 Elements of Conflict 1. People: Their thoughts, emotions and actions. 2. Process: The way decisions are made and how people react 3. Substance: The specific issues and differences among people, groups and agencies CONFLICT

3 Elements of Conflict Our desires for participating in decisions that affect us Our preferred processes and pace for thinking through issues and making decisions How we want to be treated How we want to feel about ourselves and the others CONFLICT SUBSTANCE Tangible, measurable outcomes or results

4 Dimensions of Conflict 1. There are often multiple conflicts going on at any one time. 2. Origins of conflict are often complex and diverse; 3. Conflicts are changing, interactive social processes; 4. There is no single true or objective account of a conflict;

5 Characteristics 1. Conflict is an inevitable part of change; 2. Conflict is a step towards a solution of the problem 3. Conflict is shared between people 4. Conflict is a process 5. Conflict is manageable

Conflict Continuum CO-OPERATION COMPETITION HEIGHTENED TENSION Interest groups engage in: Resource tradeoffs Creating value Agreement of process Mutual Respect Interest groups: Challenge the status quo Disagree over allocation of resources Test and stretch existing processes Interest groups engage in: Angry exchanges in the media and other public forums Boisterous public meetings Positional claiming stances Challenging public processes CONFLICT Interest groups: View the status quo as not representative Engage in: Demonstrations, lawsuits Regard public processes as unfair CRISIS Interest groups: Attack the status quo Disrupt public order Provoke incidents and interest Traumatise policy decisions Regard public processes as illegitimate

Escalation involves an increase in the intensity of a conflict and in the severity of tactics used in pursuing it. Issues proliferate Demand: specific grandiose Resources limited increasing investment Participants increase Goals: doing well winning hurting Perceptions: non evaluative negative enemy Communications :open Selective infrequent Relations: positive hostile Doves hawks Tactics escalate to violence

De-escalation: All conflicts, even intractable ones, eventually wind down and are to some degree transformed, so that they become regarded as tractable. Failure of tactics Loss of support Unacceptable costs Internal division Conflict dynamics De-escalation is seeing here as a reduction in one or more dimensions of the intensity of the conflict behaviour.

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Root Causes of Conflict Value Differences Relationship Problems Structural Problems Data Problems Conflict of Interests

Complex Conflict Analysis Cycle

Conflict Cycle War Crisis Unstable Peace Stable Peace Peacemaking Crisis Diplomacy Preventive Diplomacy Routine Diplomacy Durable Peace Peace Enforcement Peacekeeping Peacebuilding Early Stage Duration Late Stage

For example, when operating at the project level, it is

Intervening in Conflict Diplomacy: Multi-track diplomacy, unofficial interactions Peacemaking Power/Pure Mediation, Good offices, Arbitration, Policy dialogue, Consensus building, Conciliation, Consultation Peacekeeping Peace Support Operations, humanitarian intervention, CIMIC Peacebuilding Community mediation, transitional justice, elections, good governance

Corrective to levels of intervention: Contingency Based Intervention Independent Variables Dependent Variables Antecedent Conditions Current Conditions Consequent Conditions Context Process Outcome Nature of Dispute - Intensity - Complexity - Issues - Fatalities - Parties Nature of Relationships - Power difference Conflict Management Characteristics - Initiator - Timing - Environment Conflict Resolution Method - Negotiation - Mediation Post Conflict Reconstruction - Dialogue - Reconciliation