Peacebuilding &conflict transformation A ... - Peaceworkafrica

2. Conflict strategies –approaches to conflict 5The main different patterns of response to conflicts are avoidance, accommodation,confrontation, cooperation and compromise 6 . All these patterns are valid and maybe useful depending on the situation. Very often we follow a certain pattern — de -pending on our education, upbringing, experience, interest or situation — withoutreflecting on its usefulness. It is important to become aware of our own patterns inorder to be able to choose consciously and develop appropriate strategies for sustainableconflict transformation.Psychologists have found that most conflicts follow this three stage pattern:First step: A tries to cooperate with B, if that does not work…Second step: A tries to find a solution at all costs. A puts pressure on B as long as Bis not willing to cooperate or discuss (suppression of the minority).Third step: B shows an interest in cooperating and A is willing to co‐operate.The five most often described strategic styles are drawn on a grid with the followingdimensions:Importance of issues, concern for goalsConfrontation, competitionlitigation, arbitrationone party wins, one party losesAvoidance/DeadlockBoth parties loseCompromise – negotiatedBoth parties win andlose somethingImportance of and concern for relationshipsCooperation – interest basednegotiation, bargainingmediation, negotiationboth parties winAccommodationOne party wins,one party loses2 . C o n f l i c t s t r a t e g i e s – a p p r o a c h e s t o c o n f l i c t 257