Role play conflict

• I: Analyzing Conflict: 3 Tools for analysis

The first step to solving a conflict is understanding its ins and outs. In conflict management, 3 useful tools maybe be used to 'map' the processes and causes leading to conflictual situations:

We have been asked to do some researches on the 3 tools that have been described in Working with Conflict: Skills and Strategies for Action by Simon Fisher. Here are the meaning behind each tool.

1. The onion tool :

When there are conflicts between us or between our organizations, the "Onion" (also known as a "donut"), is used by many groups to sort out some of the dynamics at play in the conflict. It is based on a metaphor of an onion whose layers are gradually peeled back, first those that are readily visible, then the hidden protected inner sections. This tool helps uncover the hidden elements that are at the core of resolving a conflict – people’s deeply felt needs. If those are not addressed, conflicts persist. The Onion illustrates some of many layers and elements of conflict that get built up over the course of a dispute. The aim is to understand and identify these dynamics and layers so that the real needs at the heart of the dispute can get addressed and the conflict resolved in a constructive way. This analysis helps groups lay the basis for negotiation, revealing what they must have in order to be satisfied.

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2 : The Conflict Tree

The conflict tree tool, helps you understand the causes of the conflict situation you are dealing with.

The roots of the conflict are : not using event from the past as excuses such as persona and military violence, racism, sexism, prejudices about age, disability and social class

In peace building work, people need to be truthfull about the past, because that will effect theire lives in every level, so its a very important part about resolving the conflict. The trunk of the tree is the conflict itself.

The branches of the tree are consequences, off the conflict and the impact of each of there levels of life, how are family, commnity on so on affected by the conflict.

Finaly leaves and fruits can grow on this tree, if and when the conflict are resolved, the tree can became healthy, so things can grow healthy on the tree of your lives.

3 : The ABC Triangle

This analysis is based on the premise that conflicts have three major components: the context or situation, the behavior of those involved and their attitudes. These three factors influence each other, hence the arrows leading from one to another. For example, a context that ignores the demands of one group is likely to lead to an attitude of frustration, which in turn may result in protest. This behavior might then lead to a context of further denial of nights, contributing to great frustration, perhaps even anger, which could erupt into violence. Work that is done to change the context, (by making sure that demands are acknowledged), to reduce the level of frustration (by helping people to focus on the long-term nature of their struggles) or to provide outlets for behaviors that are not violent will all contribute to reducing the levels of tension.

Behaviour :Examples

• riots
• bombings
• mass imprisonment
• denial of human rights

Attitude : Examples

• fear of losing power
• resentment about historical wrongs
• negative stereotypes
• ethnic or religious hatred

Context : Examples

• unjust land ownership
• lack of jobs/opportunities
• scarce natural resources
• unequal political representation

Exercice A :

1/ Based in Cleveland, Ohio, Jim has been managing a software development team in Mumbai for the past two years. He has been working closely with Anila, the Indian team leader, to develop a new networking program. While Jim has over 25 years of experience in software development, Anila knows the program inside and out.

While reviewing his work from the previous week, Jim discovers that he made a mistake in the programming code. He notices that Anila corrected his error, but wonders why Anila did not bring it to his attention so that he could avoid delays and keep from making the same mistake in the future.

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