Carino Antequisa of CAFOD lectured on Conflict Transformation

(Carino Antequisa of CAFOD lectured on Conflict Management to a Seminar Workshop on Conflict Management at Limano town, Lanao del Norte; June 23-25, 2007. The seminar is initiated by Reconciliatory Inititiative for Development Opportunities Inc in partnership with USAID and The Asia Foundation (TAF)

Conflict defined
Conflict is an expressed struggle between at least 2 interdependent parties who perceive incompatible goals, scarce rewards, and interference from the other party in achieving their goals.

In a picture seen, participants said that they viewed the photos as a picture of stone and water, ice and water, animal or horse, cow, goat. These depict varied perceptions of people to the same object. In another image shown, the image shows a readable letter ‘lift’; others didn’t see it.

Parties of the conflict must be known; what are the incompatible
goals?

There are two ways of settling issues. These can be done through conflict resolution, conflict management, and conflict transformation.

Conflict resolution means settling issues but not resolving relationships.

Conflict management
-recognizes that conflict is ongoing and has be dealt with
-based on the assumption that we can control conflict because it came from people
-it goes beyond resolution (tri-lateral relationship)

Conflict transformation
-recognizes that conflict changes everything-it changes selves, feelings, relationships, ideas etc.
-seeks to know and identity patterns produced by conflict
-includes both resolution and management
-seeks to change at various levels where conflict happens:
(There is a pattern to avoid talking on points of disagreements.)
>personal
>relational (you with another or others)
>structural (family, schools, organizations, etc.)
>cultural (beliefs, traditions, technology etc.)

-swearing to the Koran and to God means that you are restoring relationships with whom we are in conflict and reaffirming relationships with God. This is the best way of resolving relational problems

- in modern days, few people engage in mediation because its costly

There is a need for MSM to strengthen the structures of Maranao tribe because this mechanism is eroded.

The facilitator pointed that the court is retributive; not restorative. He also challenged them that it is maybe impossible to restore relationship but “we can develop what was practiced before.” Despite this, it is imperative for traditional leaders to look into the possibility of merging or harmonizing the traditional and modern system of resolving conflict.

The peaceful approaches of resolving conflict:
communication
negotiation and mediation
problem-solving/decision making
dialogue

Basic Skills in Communication
1. probing
2. listening (effective and active)
3. observing
4. telling (non-aggressive)

IN the deliberations, some relevant points were raised:

1.how can we stop destructive messages (e.g.loaded messages) Sometimes, facts are loaded with millions of opinions. And sometimes, opinions can ignite conflict.

2. negotiation is a direct talk between two parties while in mediation a third party mediates in the conflict of two-parties. This is the western concept. In Asian countries, mediators offer opinions for possible resolve.

3. in negotiation, we must consider hopes, positions and interests of parties.

4. dialogue is a series of talk leading to the resolution of problems.

5. Connections are important. In this election, family ties become a potent tool in getting support. Credibility in governance is related to families and clans.

After the input, an open forum ensued. In this part, major points raised are:

in Maranao conflict resolution, they negotiate for amounts and communicate for amounts. Leaders for this mediation and negotiation, should be clothe with sincerity and neutrality. Matters on money should be discussed later part of negotiation because amounts are fix.
Genealogy is affirmed as a vital document to resolve conflict and as a tool for strengthening the Maranao customary or traditional system of conflict resolution.
Bapa traces the relationships of elders and his historic togetherness with some prominent leaders of Lanao del Sur province as schoolmates in their childhood days. He also summarizes the input with emphasis on the imperativeness of family ties.