conflict transformation maria lucia zapata
DESCRIPTION
ICCO & Kerk in Actie has organised a meeting on conflict transformation the 8th of april. Maria Lucia Zapata was our guest speaker. She presented the theoretical background en her practical experience on conflict transformation.TRANSCRIPT
A Journey Towards Conflict Transformation
Maria Lucia Zapata-Cancelado
April 08/2010
AGENDA Elements of conflict
transformation
Conflict resolution and conflict transformation
Some questions… Does C-T really
works? What is the impact of
C-T? What challenges do
C-T practitioners face?
Resolution - TransformationC. Resolution C. Transformation
Key Question How do we end something not desired?
How do we end something destructive and build something desired
Focus It is content centered Focus on the relationship
Purpose A concrete solution to a a concrete problem. Concrete agreement
Promotes constructive change processes, inclusive but not limited to, immediate solutions
Development of the process
It is embedded and build around the immediacy of the relationship where the symptoms of disruption appear.
It envisions the presenting problem as an opportunity for response to symptoms and engagement of systems within which relationships are embedded
Frame Short term responses Mid to long term responses
View of conflict It envision the need to de-escalate conflict processes
Conflict is dynamic: it is an opportunity for change
Conflict transformation does not deny the importance of CR, but it highlight its gaps and try to find an answer to them.
As peacebuilders conflict transformation also demands us to:
Be strategic and to work with different and dissimilar actors;
To think both in the short term, To embrace change as our personal mantra.
Examples of conflict transformation
The Philippines
Island of Mindanao
(Catholic Relief Services)
Mindanao Peacebuilding Institute
Grassroots peacebuilding learning
Inter-religious dialogue
Colombia
Citizen’s Commission for Reconciliation of the Caribbean Region (Churches, NGOs, Universities)
Building peace through community transformation Alliance between Catholic and Evangelical churches
THE PHILIPPINESContext of the Conflict
The Philippines Main Isands: Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao Mindanao:
2nd largest island. 16 million people: Lumad, Muslims and Christians Natural resources: oil and gas, fertile lands for
agriculture production Underdeveloped. Lowest literacy rate and life
expectancy
The conflict Spanish conquest 16TH century: Domination of
Lumads and Muslims American domination Tactics
Conversion, military aggression, manipulation legal and court systems, and acculturation through educational system.
Dispossession of customary lands in favor of plantation companies and Christian settlers from Luzon and Visayas.
Goal: To have complete access to land, natural resources and the labor force.
Mindanao
…..In summary
In summary, the conflict in Mindanao is primarily about, but not limited to, land and resources. Nevertheless, one cannot deny that religion and culture have shaped the dynamics and manifestations of an ongoing struggle over power, identity and self-determination.
Religion and culture is a source of conflict and also a source for peace
The Mindanao Peacebuilding Institute
MPI is a three week intensive training in grassroots peacebuilding
Education – praxis – reflection
Cutting edge theories and practices in peacebuilding
An opportunity for networking with colleagues from different parts of the Philippines and the world.
MPI serves as an epicenter that
channels, enhances and nurtures peacebuilding
activities in Mindanao, fostering change at different
levels of society
General Ferrer
ACEID
Jenita Eko
MPI
MPI IS NOT ONLY A TRAINING PROGRAMMPI Contributions
It is a setting for supporting the peace process in an informal and safe place.
Lumads, Muslim and Christians share side of the story
Heal past wounds
Lumads and Muslims are empowered to share their peacebuilding experiences and learn from others
Youth is introduced to the field of peacebuilding
Seedbed for new grassroots trainers who will replicate concepts and tools in their own language and contexts.
Potential to document traditional experiences in conflict transformation
MPI has been instrumental in empowering communities to take an active role in the peace process: October 2006 crisis
Main characteristics
It is a journey inside the conflict (actors, structure, culture)
Appeals to human creativity The objective is to transcend the conflict Dialogue is the main approach to peace CT empowers people Reconciliation is implicit within
transformation
Thank you ….
Conflict Transformation
“Conflict transformation is to envision and
respond to the ebb and flow of social
conflict as life-giving opportunities for
creating constructive change processes
that reduce violence, increase justice in
direct interaction and social structures,
and respond to real-life problems in
human relationships.”