Comments for Conflict Competence

Comment on Transforming Conflict Attitudes by Ewa Nilsby

Ewa Nilsby — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 04:17:12 +0000

I really liked this website post, it helped a lot! Thanks!

Comment on Blind Spot analysis by DR Reese Halter

DR Reese Halter — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 20:18:16 +0000

Terrific essay Deborah! Isn’t it wonderful to discover our blind spots. Thank you for this excellent reminder — being open to new concepts and ideas is such a wonderful growing experience. The fellow in the audience deserves kudos for his response and it’s an important wake-up call for us all personally and professionally to be open-minded and aware of being able to look at things in a different light. Cheers, Reese Halter (Dr) author of The Incomparable Honeybee and the Economics of Pollination.

Comment on Conflict is Data by Janet

Janet — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 18:33:17 +0000

I like this approach as it fits well for those who tend to be scientific and are accustomed to analysing data and remaining open to unexpected findings that may lead to new directions.

Comment on What is Conflict Competence? by Deborah

Deborah — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 18:43:31 +0000

That’s a great question Janice, thanks for asking it.

There are many definitions of conflict, as you point out. The usual definitions of conflict from Conflict Theory are the actual or perceived incompatibilities of needs, values, or interests; or competition for limited resources. However, these sorts of definition have limited application in some conflicts.

For example, sometimes siding with one group does not mean sharing the group’s needs, values, motives, identities, attitudes, or interests. Public conflict, for example, binds people together despite their differences. Sometimes there are lots of resources and there is still conflict. Sometimes, everyone in the conflict agrees on the desired outcome and allocation of resources but fundamentally disagree on how to achieve their mutual goal. So those definitions really aren’t helpful in such cases.

Thus, after a lot of exploration over the years, I’ve settled on the explanation of conflict as Rex (1981:3) defined it: “action which is oriented intentionally to carrying out the actor’s will against the resistance of the other party or parties” that changes over time.

That fits my definition as informed by complexity science and conflict theory. It has nothing to say about motive, interests, resources, needs, or values, yet it captures the emotion that creates the conditions for conflict.

I’d be happy to discuss this with you further anytime.

Very best wishes
Deborah

Comment on What is Conflict Competence? by Janice P

Janice P — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 18:30:10 +0000

Hi Deb, just to get the ball rolling, I’m curious as to how you are defining conflict, as different disciplines tend to view the construct somewhat differently?

Cheers, JP

Comment on Managing Conflict Reduces Stress by Robbie Deol

Robbie Deol — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 06:34:29 +0000

Thanks for wonderful post.

Comment on L. Deborah Sword CV by zaina

zaina — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 22:25:59 +0000

Dear Deborah,

Hello

After reading Cv’s about conflict resolution, i am really very interested in your methods to solve problems betwen people. will you please accept my questions about how to create a very good new generation in Rwanda. I need to learn from you how to help a very small group of people speaking a same language want to destroy themselves without forgetting the african region.

thanks

Comment on Travel for dialogue while we still can by Dr Reese Halter

Dr Reese Halter — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 17:52:55 +0000

This is a very good piece. And a reminder that we have entered a carbon-constrained economy. There will be lots of decisions that each of us can make — first and foremost is becoming aware of Nature and her magnificent balance. There is a great old saying “are you sure you have a mind - have you changed it lately?” Politicians who are in denial that humans cannot affect the climate on a global scale best be looking for a new career in the coming years, because like it or not the wave of the future is clean, renewable energy sources that don’t pollute our planet.

Dr Reese Halter
Conservation Biologist and public speaker
http://www.DrReese.com

Comment on Conflict life cycles by Barry Freeman

Barry Freeman — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 06:39:11 +0000

Well, WOW, MOM, WOW!!!!! Dr. Deb has/is done it again. What a wealth. What a storehouse. She speaks to us of really intricate
matters what we Homo Sapiens do for and, especially TO EACH OTHERS.

But she does it with such clarity, that even I can grasp, understand, and then (this is the key to her talent) I can remember what she said ten minutes after I read it!!

Astounding. Barry (My nickname is “Bear”. Feel free to use it any time. …………………Bear

Comment on Conflict Competence: Neanderthal to Now by Barry Freeman

Barry Freeman — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 05:34:35 +0000

Deborah has done remarkable work on this subject. Very insightful, articulate and thorough. If she had a website and it even cost me money, cash loot, I’d be a subscriber in a heartbeat. Thank you
Deb, for the flood of great information!

Barry (310) 413-3414 Lomita, California

Comment on A Tale Of Cross-Cultural Relationships by Wallace Warfield

Wallace Warfield — Mon, 19 May 2008 16:41:19 +0000

Dear Deborah,

What a lovely way to reconnect with you after so many years. Your story was absolutely delightful and whether you are a Sparkle, Tinkle, or Gadget (in a non-fictional life)it is impossible to distance yourself from the transformational ruminations of Tinkle and not feel the tug of familiarity.

All the best!

Wallace

Wallace Warfield

Comment on Personal Decisions Create Peace by Sharon Edwards

Sharon Edwards — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:11:53 +0000

Deborah, I too was following this story with great interest. It demonstrates such power. There is power in those personal decisions and, backed by the judicial system, that power extended to other coastal nations. I wonder what other examples are out there of the power of decisions made in the name of peace and human rights. Anybody interested in starting a list?

Comment on Peacemaking Sports by K Liu

K Liu — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 06:45:58 +0000

Excellent reporting. From now on let’s not invite politicians, including head of state of the host nation, to the Games. Just have IOC president simply announce “Let the Games begin.”

It is interesting to note that politicians keep saying not to let politics interfere with sports & yet they are all so eager to be seen on the central stage during the opening ceremony.

The Olympic games belong to all people of the world & not to any particular nation, China or anyone else in this case. People’s power should overtake politicians’.