Our approach

We believe that conflict is part of human existence and can't be avoided. Its impact depends on how it is addressed – as a threat, or as a positive opportunity and catalyst for change and growth.

Community Resolve’s activities have two main influences. The first is the idea of conflict transformation, a process that recognises the complexity of conflicts and the importance of fully understanding their context before acting (case study). This approach originates in international peace building work, and has emerged over the last decade. It recognises that unpicking community conflicts takes time, patience, humility and a long-term commitment, especially when working among groups of different race, ethnicity and culture.

The second is community mediation and its principles of listening respectfully to all involved without judgement, of asking people questions that help them unearth their own solutions to their situation. The key questions we ask are:

• How do you see the situation now?
• How would you like it to be?
• What is getting in the way?

We then expand the format to use in any setting, asking communities to come to meetings to share their ideas of how to improve a situation, with an eye to better communication in the future (case study).

For more information on the ideas behind conflict transformation, see Links & Resources.