Intercultural Education in the Post-Primary School - National Council ...

CONFLICT AND CONFLICT RESOLUTIONSometimes the differences between peoplebecome a source of conflict. Differentcultural traditions, for example, may bringpeople into conflict with each other. Peoplemay come into conflict with each otherbecause of a perceived clash of rights andresponsibilities. Intercultural education canequip people with the skills to workthrough such conflicts and arrive at aresolution. These skills will be useful andnecessary to all students even if they donot regularly come into contact withmembers of different ethnic groups.Conflict should be seen as natural andnormal and can be viewed as anopportunity to arrive at solutions andbring about positive change. Certainprinciples should underlie approaches toconflict, whether the conflict isinterpersonal, inter-community or political.These include the following:• Conflict should not be avoided. Sinceconflict is normal it provides anopportunity to build something positive.We should focus on equipping peoplewith the ability to negotiate throughconflicts rather than avoiding them.• Separate people from the problem. In aconflict situation there can be strongemotions, communication breakdownand differing perceptions of the facts orthe importance of facts. These issuesneed to be dealt with in themselves, andshould not be by-passed through oneside or both gaining concessions. Onedoes not need to like someone to cometo agreement with them, but one doesneed to be able to talk to and listen tothem, and to be able to see things fromtheir point of view.• Focus on interests, not positions. Ratherthan focus on what people are lookingfor, explore why they want it. Behindopposing positions may lie a range ofshared and compatible interests onwhich a reso• Invent options for mutual gain. Look ata range of possible solutions, withoutthe pressure of having to decide what ispractical or doable. Look for a varietyof possibilities rather than a singleanswer, and do not rush to judgement.There are many models of conflictresolution based on these principles.Clearly, such approaches to negotiatingresolutions to conflict will only work ifboth partners are willing and able toengage in the process. When people are notskilled in the process of conflictnegotiation they may need a facilitator toaid the process of resolution. However thefocus should be on developing skills so thatpeople can manage their own conflicts.For children in the early years of primary,peace skills are built through thedevelopment of a capacity for cooperation,for sharing, for identifyingpotential consequences of their actions andthrough developing a language with whichto name and express their feelings.Building on this, middle and upper primaryclasses will develop a deeper capacity tocope with their feelings, as well as acapacity to compromise and accept groupdecisions.At post-primary level, students should nowbe able to discuss and express emotions ina non-threatening way, listen actively toboth concepts and emotions, negotiatewith each other and begin the process ofpracticing peaceful resolution of conflicts.60Intercultural Education in the Post-Primary School