Johan Galtung defined conflict as “Relationships between parties who have, or believe they have, incompatible interests or goals”.
Conflict is a normal feature of relationships, groups and organisations; it is necessary in order to resolve issues, improve communication and deepen connections. If handled well, it can create better group dynamics. So why is conflict often regarded as a negative concept?
This talk will offered insights on questions such as:
Why is conflict good for groups?
Why do conflicts turn violent?
What are the subtle ways that lead conflict to turn violent and why are they not always easy to detect?
Can conflicts be resolved, without transforming relationships?
Is a ‘happy ever after’ state ever possible following a conflict?
This talk also introduced a particular methodology for dialogue, which is ordinarily used for peace negotiations; and discussed how it can be used to improve group dynamics, even between those who hold polarised views.
Speaker’s bio:
Yeshim Harris works with conflict management, multi-track diplomacy, stakeholder engagement, sustainable dialogue building and advocacy training. She has initiated and led high-level platforms for comparative learning between Cyprus, Northern Ireland, South Africa, Turkey and the Balkans. Her MSc is on EU expansion and the European Regional Development Fund. She also has a Diploma in Conflict Resolution and Facilitation, and a Certificate of Mediation and Peace-Making in Complex Conflicts.