Restoring Peace in the World through Conflict Resolution

Restoring Peace in the World through Conflict Resolution

Restoring Peace in the World through Conflict Resolution“All war is a symptom of man’s failure as a thinking animal.” – John Steinbeck

It is said that peace is not the absence of conflict but the ability to cope with it. Therefore, peace begins when every individual learns to tackle conflicts. And conflict resolution is only possible with a change in mindset.

Many things have changed since the cold war got over in 1991. The world is no longer on warring ends. A wave of democratisation has taken over. Besides, the globalisation of information has not only enabled more ideas and news to be exchanged between more people than at any other time in human history, it has also led to more frequent efforts seeking international coordination in implementing a security policy.

Sovereignty being redefined
With new responsibilities being imposed on states towards their citizens as well as the global community, the tenets of sovereignty are getting redefined. These changes, subtle yet effective, have evidently reduced the occurrence of international wars since the early nineties.

Today, sovereignty carries the responsibility to ensure the dignity and welfare of all citizens. States that fail to discharge this duty must accept the right of other countries or international bodies to intervene and resolve conflicts.

The way the world makes peace
Some conflicts are threats to global peace and security, especially since they involve violation of universally accepted norms including human rights, self-determination and democratic governance. Needless to say, it is important to find peace through conflict resolution. It is the safest way for parties to reach a peaceful solution in times of disagreement.

Concerned parties should follow these steps for immediate and permanent conflict resolution:
●    Understand the conflict – Identify your stand and understand the view of your opponents.
●    Communicate with the opposition – Listen to the opposition. Be flexible to avoid early judgements and work out a solution.
●    Brainstorm possible resolutions – Come up with win-win solutions. If needed, find an unbiased facilitator to oversee the process.
●    Choose the best route – After all ideas are reviewed, proceed to pick the best.
●    Ask for third party mediation – Third party mediators are fair to both you and the opponent. Seek one to arrive at a consensus.
●    Explore alternatives – It is crucial to come up with realistic and practical alternatives.
●    Cope with pressure tactics and stressful situations – Parties must be prepared for negotiations with all types of opponents. The key is to stay calm in decision making.

Remember that a conflict can only be truly resolved if the proposed solution suits both sides. It isn’t easy to achieve, but it is paramount to successful conflict resolution.

Leave A Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *