Topic: Conflict Resolution
Conflicts happen whenever two parties, be they individuals, groups, communities, companies, or countries have differing positions on an issue. Some of the most common issues have to do with security, resources, or values.
The field of Conflict Resolution and Peace building focuses on being able to help conflicting parties to resolve their issues without resorting to violence, through mediation, negotiation, dialogue, and arbitration. The field of conflict resolution can also include efforts in schools and communities to educate the public on ways to reduce violence, stop bullying, and help them to develop constructive communication and problem solving skills.
There are several methods that peace builders and conflict resolution specialists have in their tool kit to assist conflicting parties in reaching a resolution. The most common of these tools, as mention previously are as follows:
Negotiation is a discussion among two or more people with the goal of reaching an agreement. Negotiation should not be mistaken with Debate. The intent of a debate is simply to convince the other party of the "rightness" of the speaker's position and not to reach an equitable agreement between both parties.
Mediation is a voluntary and confidential process in which a neutral third-party facilitator, possibly a peace builder or conflict resolution specialist, assists the parties in discussing difficult issues and negotiating an agreement. Some basic steps in the process of mediation include: research and information gathering, developing options, negotiating, and formalizing agreements. Parties in mediation create their own solutions and the mediator does not have any decision-making power over the outcome.
Arbitration is a process in which a third-party neutral, after reviewing evidence and listening to arguments from both sides, issues a decision to settle the case. Arbitration is often used in commercial and labor/management disputes, and requires that all involved parties agree to abide by the arbitrator's ruling.
Peer Mediation refers to a process in which young people act as mediators to help resolve disputes among their peers. This tool is usually implemented in schools but could also be utilized at the community level as well.
Dialogue between parties is usually implemented with the intention of creating an understanding of differing views without any intention of creating a resolution to the original issues. Dialogue, like negotiation, should not be mistaken with debate. They key in both dialogue and negotiation is intent by all parties to participate in creating an understanding.
These tools and others assist conflict resolution specialists in creating solutions to issues that may have eventually (if not already) resulted in negative actions by one or more of the parties, including judicial action (lawsuits) and violence. By participating in peace building processes, conflicting parties are more likely to resolve their issues in a peaceful and equitable manner.
