Prevention, solution and transformation of conflicts

(with further specialization on negotiation, mediation, conciliation councils or nonviolence and nonviolence action – based on the choice of the participant)

Goal:

  • To disseminate approaches of nonviolent constructive solution of conflicts in wide spectrum of target groups,
  • To teach participants to analyze conflict and decide for a suitable nonviolent and constructive strategies of conflict resolution in their own environment and conditions, and
  • To teach participants how to intervene in conflicts as a third independent party (in specializations of mediation and conciliation councils).

Graduate profile:
Graduates will be familiar with basic theories of conflict and approaches to their resolution. They are able to analyze conflict and choose intervention depending on specific formation of the conflict. They are ready to use some basic methods and techniques of conflict resolution.

Specialty of negotiation: Graduates are going to improve their basic communication skills important in negotiation. They will become familiar with approaches to and techniques of negotiation. They will understand the principles of negotiation and will be able to analyze a situation of conflict, undestand its nature and source and propose negotiation strategy in accordance.

Specialty of mediation: Graduates will be familiar with the process of mediation. They will be able to analyze conflict and help solve it in the role of mediator. They will know how to use mediation in various contexts. They will improve their basic communication skills important in mediation. They understand ethical aspects of mediation work.

Specialty of conciliation councils: Graduates will know the principles of the conciliation process and will train basic skills necessary to lead conflicting parties to a constructive agreement. Graduates will get special orientation in aspects of dialogue between majority population and minorities in their region.

Specialty of nonviolent action: Graduates will learn basis ideas and value background of the nonviolence concept as well as general history of nonviolent action in the world. They will be able to analyze conflict and accordingly develop and prepare into practice nonviolent action or intervention – depending on specific formation of the conflict. They will be ready to solve some difficult situations arising in nonviolent action.

Total scope:
72 hours (3 x 3 days, 3 days = 24 hours). The third three-day session is specialized (required choice of one of four options). In case several specializations are chosen, the corresponding number of three-day sessions needs to be added.

Session 1: Conflict
Defining conflict and related terms (3+3)
Analysis of conflicting information (2+6)
Characterizing conflict in relevant contexts (2+0)
Basic communication skills in conflict resolution (2+6)

Session 2: Approaches to conflict resolution
Approaches to conflict resolution and their development (3+1)
Communication skills in conflict resolution – application of some communication theories (3+5)
Emotions in conflicts

Session 3:

A. Negotiation
B. Mediation
C. Conciliation councils
D. Nonviolence and nonviolent action


SESSION 1: CONFLICT (24 HOURS)

1. Defining conflict and related terms

  • Theory
  • Practice (exercises, interactive methods)

2. Analysis of conficting information

  • Theoretical background for conflict analysis
  • Skills of analyzing conflicts

3. Characterizing conflict in relevant contexts
(with emphasis on different characteristics depending on specialties of course participants)

  • Theory and discussion

4. Basic communication skills in conflict resolution

  • Theoretical background and practical training of skills in small groups

SESSION 2: APPROACHES TO CONFLICT RESOLUTION (24 HOURS)

1. Approaches to conflict resolution and their development

  • Theory and discussion

2. Communication skills in conflict resolution – application of some communication theories

  • Theory and practical training of skills

3. Emotions in conflicts

  • Theory, learning about self, practical training of skills

 

SESSION 3 – CHOICE OF ONE OF FOUR OPTIONS

A. NEGOTIATION

1. Principles of negotiation based on interests
2. Phases of negotiation

  • Preparation
  • Negotiation process
  • Completion of negotiation

3. Negotiation in various contexts
4. Problematic situations in negotiation
5. Ethics in negotiation

B. MEDIATION

1. Analyzing whether mediation is fitting for a given conflict
2. Mediation and its phases (according to C. Moore)

  • Theory combined with practical exercises of leading individual phases

3. Various schools of mediation
4. Use of mediation in specific areas
5. Ethical aspects of mediation

C. CONCILIATION COUNCILS

1. Cross-culture communication

  • Background terminology
  • Types of conflict of cultures
  • Prevention and solution of ethnic conflict
  • Roma history and traditions (depending on specialties of cours participants)

2. Basics of negotiation

  • Principles of negotiation based on interests
  • Phases of negotiation
  • Cross-culture aspects of negotiations
  • Problematic situations in negotiation

3. Basics of mediationa and conciliation

  • Analysis whether mediation is fitting for a given conflict
  • Mediation and its phases (according to C. Moore)

D. NONVIOLENCE AND NONVIOLENT ACTION

1. The concept of nonviolence (ahimsa)
2. Types of nonviolent action and their use (according to G. Sharp)
3. Planning and implementation of nonviolent action

  • Concepts of campaign organizing (S. Alinsky, S. Milbrah and B. Moyers)
  • Phases of nonviolent action
  • Working with media in nonviolent action
  • Training of skills

4. Solution of specific situations in nonviolent action
5. Examples of successful campaigns from central European countries