Activity: Not just a river on a map - the relational dimensionThis is a featured page


Purpose:To try to analyse the relational dimension for a conflict case study.
To identify challenges for conducting an analysis of the relational dimension
Participants:4 to 20

Time: 90 min. (more if needed)

Materials:Flip charts
Marker Pens
Handouts with the case study
Process:1. The session will be structured around the two-part case study "Not just a river on a map", taking place in Lesotho. If you have not used the case study for the personal dimension before, give a brief introduction to the case. If the personal dimension has been analysed for the case, you can give a short recap of the main findings of the group.

2. Organise participants in groups of 4-5 and assign the task: The groups shall analyse the relational dimension of conflict and how the conflict has brought about change. The following questions can guide the analysis (provide them to participants on a handout):

Communication
  • What is the level of contract between or among the “sides”? Is it regular, open, avoiding, restricted? What change can be identified in the level of contact due to the conflict?
  • How could the communication styles between people be described?
  • Do have people have the capacity to express themselves accurately in conversation without fear, judgement or restriction?
  • Do people have the capacity to listen, that is, to hear accurately the concerns of others, without judgement?
Cooperation or confrontation
  • Where can you find cooperative/confrontative relationships, between whom? To what extent has this changed due to the conflict?
  • What is the level of cooperation – for instance on achieving vital common goals – among and between “opposing sides”?
  • What is the level of confrontation between opposing sides?
Decision-making
  • Who is taking decisions in day-to-day relationships? Who is not involved? Has this changed due to the conflict?
  • How are decisions taken? In a transparent and fair manner?
Conflict-handling mechanisms
  • What happens when conflict arises in people’s relationships? Has this changed due to the conflict?
  • Who are the key people who fulfil the peacemaker role in relationships? What qualifies them for that role?
3. In plenary, let groups report back to plenary what the major results of their analysis are.

4. In discussion with the participants, explore:
  • What can be learnt from analysing the relational dimension?
  • What challenges can be faced when tasked with analysing the relational dimension?
Note:
Instead of using this case study, you can also encourage the groups to analyse a "real" conflict in their context.

The case study is relatively long and this might pose a challenge in mixed groups, or groups where English is not first or second language. You can consider translating a summary of the case or present the case to participants in another, more visual and less text-based method.
Handout(s): Moeketsi, Tello, Not Just a River on a Map, in: Centre for Conflict Resolution, Case Studies of Conflict in Africa, in: Track Two. Constructive Approaches to Community and Political Conflict, Vol. 12, Nos 3 and 4, University of Cape Town: 2003, pp. 70-74. <http://www.ccr.uct.ac.za/fileadmin/template/ccr/pdf/TT12-3_4_Sep05.pdf> (accessed 4 August 2009).

Guiding questions for analysis (see process description above)
Source(s):chachabooth@gmail.com





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