Conflict analysis and the fourdimensional approach to conflict transformation |

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As pointed out by Paffenholz and Spurk (Paffenholz, Thania/Spurk, Christoph, Civil Society, Civic Engagement and Peacebuilding, in: Social Development Papers. Conflict Prevention and Reconstruction, Paper 36, 2006 <http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTCPR/Resources/WP36_web.pdf> (accessed 5 August 2009)) , several "schools of thought" exist in the field of peacebuilding. The authors list and describe 4: Conflict Management, Conflict Resolution, Complementary School, Conflict Transformation. The conflict analysis tool developed on the following pages emerges out of the school of Conflict Transformation. Therefore, a short introduction to the Conflict Transformation approach will precede the development of the analytical model. The model is built around the "four dimensions of change" - the personal, relational, structural and cultural dimension.

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  • Conflict Transformation. This is an introduction to the concept of confict transformation and the four dimensions of change.
  • Analysing the personal dimension. Change in the personal dimension generally occurs in two categories: First, attitudes can change. Attitudes are ways that people think about (often unconsciously) and approach a given topic, situation or relationship. They are not obvious. Secondly, behaviour – the way people actually act, respond, express themselves and interact– can change.
  • Analysing the relational dimension.
  • Analysing the structural dimension.
  • Analysing the cultural dimension.
  • A four-dimensional perspective on the conflict
  • From analysis to strategy: Describing change produced by conflict, acting to transform conflict.

  • Analysing the personal dimension: