Peacebuilding &conflict transformation A ... - Peaceworkafrica

Power of personal qualities refers to a combination of various characteristics neededfor effective work that can influence others, like: intelligence, charisma, energy,sincerity or determination.4.3 Human needs – a root cause of conflictHuman needs 21 are an integral part of human beings; they are basic requirementsfor human development; inherent drives for survival and development and a powerfulsource to explain the motivation for individual behaviour and social interaction.Basic human needs are universal. All people of all times, race and culture sharethe same fundamental basic or biological needs: food, water and shelter. The othercategories of needs are psychological or relate to personal growth and development.They are sometimes described as the more complex needs for safety, security,self‐esteem and personal fulfilment. These needs centre on the capacity to exercisechoices in all aspects of one’s life; they describe the desire to have one’s identity andcultural values accepted as legitimate and explain the wish to be granted the abilityto participate in civil society and be subject to distributive justice.Human needs are associated with the fundamental drive in human beings. Allindividuals strive to satisfy their immediate needs as their satisfaction leads to healthierand more capable human beings. When felt needs are not met, it may result in adeep sense of frustration coupled with a strong drive towards meeting them. Unmetneeds bear the potential to lead the individual into conflict. The inability to satisfythe immediate human needs of the population can lead to instability and forcedchange. Many ongoing national or regional conflicts are caused by the lack of satisfactionof fundamental human needs such as food, water and shelter.a. Needs and their satisfierFelt needs cannot be negotiated and cannot be compromised, whereas the way andmeans to satisfy them can (e.g. a person’s hunger cannot be negotiated — the personfeels the need for nutrition, but the kind of nutrition can be discussed). In otherwords, there is an important distinction between human needs and their satisfier.Satisfiers can be compromised, replaced or even ignored — felt needs cannot.For instance, a satisfier of the need for respect may be a big and well equippedoffice. But there is a wide range of other possible satisfiers that can replace this satisfier.For instance, praise from hierarchy, possessing a big vehicle or subordinates listeningkeenly when this person talks. However, the need for respect cannot be compromised.4 . S o u r c e s o f c o n f l i c t 111