Le MO ead WEB LINK © For move information on conflict resolution, visit 0 Wi Checkpoint “Talk to the text” with some ‘comments or questions about conflict resolution. Think in terms of historical conflict as well as personal conflict. 142. Unit 3: Conflict and Change You've read about various ways that people groups and nations have used to settle disputes. Some of them involved violence. There are other, less confrontational, ways to resolve conflict. First Nations have long used community-based resolution of disputes. ‘The United Nations peacekeeping forces are a means to give nations a chance to resolve their differences without war. First Nations Dispute Settlement ‘The Iroquois tell of the Peacemaker. Many centuries ago, he persuaded them of the value of peace. He told them that injustice causes conflict, End injustice and you can end conflict, he said. ‘The Iroquois established the Great Law of Peace according to these principles. Three times, the community would ask anyone committing violence to stop. If the person did not, the community would use its combined strength to end the violence, Nations that gave up violence were invited to join the Iroquois Confederacy. At one time, almost 70 First Nations belonged to the Confederacy. ‘Today, many First Nations still use variations of this peaceful approach to solving disputes. Conflict Resolution Conflict resolution is a process designed to defuse conflict. Conflict occurs in the home, in school, in the community, in the workplace, within a nation, and between nations. Conflict resolution strategies will help in any of these situations. But, depending on where the conflict occurs, different people might be involved. Minor conflicts are probably best resolved among the people involved. But significant conflicts usually require a mediator. This is especially necessary when one or all of the people involved are reluetant to resolve the conflict. How Does Conflict Resolution Work? Here are some suggestions to make a conflict resolution process work properly. Step 1: Tell Both Sides of the Story Each representative takes a turn being Person A and Person B.Step 2: Clarify the Conflict ‘The mediator checks with the persons to clarify differences of fact (for example, what time of day the key incident occurred; whether or not other people witnessed the incident). The persons try to agree on any differences of fact. eee Stick to the facts. Explain ‘what happened, not why it happenes, Use “I” statements to explain ‘what happened. Use respecttul language. prot insult anyone Step 3: Express Feelings Using words, drawings, or diagrams, the parties take turns to explain what they felt at the time and what they feel now. They describe how they would prefer to feel, and explain what they would like to see come out of the mediation process. Listen carefully Let the other person(s) tell his (oF her side of the story. ‘Avoid interrupting. ‘When the person finishes, ask questions to clarity any point you don't understand, for ex ample, "When you said | was rude to your fiend, what do you think | said?" Repeat what you think the other person sai. Do not change or add anything, Step 4: Suggest a Solution ‘The parties take turns suggesting a solution to the problem. They should make sure that their suggestions are positive and will not hurt or humiliate the other person. Step 5: Agree on a Win/Win Solution ‘The parties and the mediator work out a solution that all parties can live with, Both parties must feel that they have “won” something. ‘They might not have gotten everything they would like, but have gained enough to make them support the solution. Step 6: Agree on a Follow-up Process ‘The parties agree on when and where to meet again with the mediator to see if the process has had the intended results ‘A photo taken during contract talks between the Ford Motor Company negotiators (right) and the bar- gaining team of the United Auto Workers union (let) ‘Many large manufacturers, such as those in the auto Step 7: Make Closure The mediator explains what is expected of the parties and encourages them to work toward a solution. 1. a) What is the role of a mediator in the conflict resolution process? ("7 b) What qualities do you think a person would need in order to be @ good mediator? 2. Work with two partners to identify a common type of conflict at your school. Apply the steps in this section to describe how it could be solved. 3. Industy, use negotiation and mediation to resolve 'ssues between the companies and thelr unions. WON WT Be prepared to act it out, with one student as ‘the mediator. ©) Draw either a political cartoon or a three- or fourframe comic strip to show resolution of an international conflict by United Nations peacekeepers. (See page H 144.) (3 Chapter 7: Conflict and Conflict Resolution W143