Principles of Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution

*All people desire to live in a world of peace and harmony.

*BuddhaWe are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.

Conflict Begins within the Individual.SelfishnessUnselfishness

*UNESCO ConstitutionSince wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed. Preamble

*Whole PurposeMindBodySelf PurposeDual Purposes

*SelfishnessLiving only for oneselfLustExploitationPrejudiceGreedVengeanceArroganceBasis for conflict

*UnselfishnessLiving for othersSelf-controlServiceFairnessGenerosityForgivenessHumilityBasis for harmony

*Nelson MandelaThe first thing is to be honest with yourself. You can never have an impact on society if you have not changed yourself.

Spiritual sources of conflictResult of original ancestors separation from God and negative influence from evil spiritual forces

Individual sources of conflict Disunity within the individual and confusion of values

Family sources of conflictFamily dysfunctions affect succeeding generations.

National/international sources of conflictNational policies affect future generations and can lead to conflict within or between nations.Sources of Conflict

Historical Sources of National ConflictNational crimes burden future generations.US Civil War

Ethnic/religious resentments accumulate.Balkan conflicts

*Individual Choice:To resolve or repeat past conflicts PastFutureEach person passes on either the problem or the solution.

Does Fighting Resolve Conflict?Fighting can be necessaryFor self-defenseTo defend the weak

Fighting does not resolve conflictDefeating an enemy does not answer his grievances or end his hatred.The defeated are tempted to seek revenge.

Results of World War ILeft: General Ferdinand Foch (2nd from right) at German surrender in Compeigne forest near ParisAbove: Adolf Hitler (with hand on hip) visiting the site of the German surrender, June 22, 1940

*Results of World War IIGeorge C. Marshall and the Marshall Plan

Basis for Conflict ResolutionLostRestoredState of ConflictState of HarmonyIndemnity conditions: Efforts to reverse the process by which the original harmony was lost.

*Restoration of ConflictUnselfishnessSelfishnessRightWrongBroken RelationshipLoving Relationship

Steps in Conflict ResolutionStep 1.Self reflection & reorientation

Consider how one might have dealt with the problem differently.Take responsibility for ones contribution to the conflict.

*We never get rid of an enemy by meeting hate with hate; we get rid of an enemy by getting rid of enmity. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Steps in Conflict ResolutionStep 2.Reversal & restitutionAddress whatever caused the other to feel hurt and violated.Be open to efforts to reconcile.Seek to correct injustices.

Steps in Conflict ResolutionStep 3.Reconciliation & renewalGive up claim for retaliation.Forgive and be open to receive forgiveness.Resolve to help the other to change.Foster good will.

Actions That Lead to PeaceHumility:- Admitting to not always being right- Being open to learn from others

Generosity:- Giving beyond convenience- Giving unconditionally, without expectation of return

Service:- Showing acts of caring to meet others needs- Respecting the dignity of the recipient- Reversing exploitation through service

Giving even to those who have done one harmConverts the enemy into a friend.Reverses ancient patterns of abuse and revenge.Greatest Act of Love: Winning over ones enemy

*Jesus ChristI say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:44-46

*IslamMy Lord, who is the greatest of Thy servants in Thy estimation?

The one who forgives when he is in a position of power.Hadith of Baihaqi

What Is Needed?Leadership centered on true love

Ambassadors for Peace

Principles of Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution

*All people desire to live in a world of peace and harmony.

*BuddhaWe are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.

Conflict Begins within the Individual.SelfishnessUnselfishness

*UNESCO ConstitutionSince wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed. Preamble

*Whole PurposeMindBodySelf PurposeDual Purposes

*SelfishnessLiving only for oneselfLustExploitationPrejudiceGreedVengeanceArroganceBasis for conflict

*UnselfishnessLiving for othersSelf-controlServiceFairnessGenerosityForgivenessHumilityBasis for harmony

*Nelson MandelaThe first thing is to be honest with yourself. You can never have an impact on society if you have not changed yourself.

Spiritual sources of conflictResult of original ancestors separation from God and negative influence from evil spiritual forces

Individual sources of conflict Disunity within the individual and confusion of values

Family sources of conflictFamily dysfunctions affect succeeding generations.

National/international sources of conflictNational policies affect future generations and can lead to conflict within or between nations.Sources of Conflict

Historical Sources of National ConflictNational crimes burden future generations.US Civil War

Ethnic/religious resentments accumulate.Balkan conflicts

*Individual Choice:To resolve or repeat past conflicts PastFutureEach person passes on either the problem or the solution.

Does Fighting Resolve Conflict?Fighting can be necessaryFor self-defenseTo defend the weak

Fighting does not resolve conflictDefeating an enemy does not answer his grievances or end his hatred.The defeated are tempted to seek revenge.

Results of World War ILeft: General Ferdinand Foch (2nd from right) at German surrender in Compeigne forest near ParisAbove: Adolf Hitler (with hand on hip) visiting the site of the German surrender, June 22, 1940

*Results of World War IIGeorge C. Marshall and the Marshall Plan

Basis for Conflict ResolutionLostRestoredState of ConflictState of HarmonyIndemnity conditions: Efforts to reverse the process by which the original harmony was lost.

*Restoration of ConflictUnselfishnessSelfishnessRightWrongBroken RelationshipLoving Relationship

Steps in Conflict ResolutionStep 1.Self reflection & reorientation

Consider how one might have dealt with the problem differently.Take responsibility for ones contribution to the conflict.

*We never get rid of an enemy by meeting hate with hate; we get rid of an enemy by getting rid of enmity. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Steps in Conflict ResolutionStep 2.Reversal & restitutionAddress whatever caused the other to feel hurt and violated.Be open to efforts to reconcile.Seek to correct injustices.

Steps in Conflict ResolutionStep 3.Reconciliation & renewalGive up claim for retaliation.Forgive and be open to receive forgiveness.Resolve to help the other to change.Foster good will.

Actions That Lead to PeaceHumility:- Admitting to not always being right- Being open to learn from others

Generosity:- Giving beyond convenience- Giving unconditionally, without expectation of return

Service:- Showing acts of caring to meet others needs- Respecting the dignity of the recipient- Reversing exploitation through service

Giving even to those who have done one harmConverts the enemy into a friend.Reverses ancient patterns of abuse and revenge.Greatest Act of Love: Winning over ones enemy

*Jesus ChristI say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:44-46

*IslamMy Lord, who is the greatest of Thy servants in Thy estimation?

The one who forgives when he is in a position of power.Hadith of Baihaqi

What Is Needed?Leadership centered on true love

Ambassadors for Peace

Attitude of an Ambassador for PeaceShow concern for both sides.Affirm the value of both sides.Gain trust from both sides that each is being treated fairly.Aim for a win-win outcome.Guide both sides beyond blame and accusation.

Mediation Skills: Towards the OffenderHelp the offender accept responsibility.Encourage admission of wrong.Help the offender accept the challenge of reconciliation.Avoid labeling and blaming.Praise and offer a second chance.

Mediation Skills: Towards the OffendedHelp the offended forgive and release grudges.Help the offended recognize own faults.Help the offended to accept an apology.Foster harmony and friendship with the offender.

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*Mahatma GandhiWhen I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won.

*Anwar SadatAny life that is lost in war is a human life, be it that of an Arab or Israeli. Innocent children who are deprived of the care and compassion of their parents are ours. They are ours, be they living on Arab or Israeli land. Speech to the Israeli Knesset

*Rev. Sun Myung MoonThe reason why God does not punish an enemy is that He is thinking of the enemys parents, wife and children who all love him.

When you understand that heart of God, could you take revenge on your enemy?

*Thank You!

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