Resolving and Transforming Conflicts

Chapter Nine Resolving and Transforming Conflicts

Humans have diverse beliefs, attitudes, behaviors and interests owing to dissimilarities in experiences and contexts. Sometimes, these differences create tensions which may consequently lead to conflicts. Conflict is an inescapable fact of life. If improperly handled, they can have undesirable results. In the larger setting, many conflicts have become violent which have resulted to the loss of lives, destruction of property, disruption of economic and cultural activities, disruption in the delivery of socio-economic services, exploitation of civilians especially women and children, and economic losses, among others. In the interpersonal ground, conflicts have caused anguish and stress among disputants. Unmanaged conflicts have also caused relationships to break apart.

Fortunately, conflicts can be managed and resolved constructively. If handled well, parties in dispute may find opportunities to improve their relationship and grow from experience. Resolving conflicts constructively is a skill that can be taught and learned. It is our belief that if humans are trained how to handle their interpersonal conflicts positively, such skills may be carried on to higher levels of human interaction.

What Is Conflict?

Conflict is from the Latin word conflictus which means striking together with force. It occurs when one's actions or beliefs are unacceptable to