Merging Ethiopian Wise-Counsel Mediation and Facilitative ...

III.9.2Exercise: Applying the Nine Stages to a Sample CaseThe model can be applied to any kind of conflict situation on the family, community, national or international level. In order todeepen participants’ understanding, we next apply the model to a sample case.To deepen the participants' understanding of conflict escalation dynamics.60 minutes.Flipcharts, markers.Step 1: Introduce the case; you may tell the story in the following way:At the banks of a river connected by many bridges, two communities live in a good, neighbourly relationship. Intermarriage is common,trade is flourishing and minorities are well respected. The leaders of both communities jointly develop a new school project. They agree oneverything, except the future location of the school building. Both leaders wish to have the building on their side of the river.Step 2: This is in an example how to analyse the situation according to the nine stages:Stage 1: HardeningConflicts start with the occasional collision of opinionsnot being noticed as a conflict. Unlike in an opendiscussion, where people exchange their different viewsconstructively, they now get distressed. At least oneparty feels it in her stomach. The mood gets tense andthe community members sometimes talk aggressively,but they still hope that they will manage to convince theother side.Sample case: Orange Community (OC, left side): "This venue is reallygood. It is near the bridge so everybody can reach itcomfortably."?Green Community (GC, right side): "But honestly, thereare more people living on our side of the river, so theschool building should be with us."?OC: "It doesn't matter how many people live on yourside. This is not important. I will talk with my elders andI will come back to you to settle this thing."Mediation Training Toolbox79