Conflict Resolution II.Conflict Resolution II.

Agriculture Education Agriculture Education Instructor:Instructor:

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What to doWhat to do : when there is : when there is conflicting information about an conflicting information about an IssueIssue

FIRST OFF:FIRST OFF: Approach problems as Approach problems as if they are an opportunity for if they are an opportunity for everyone to learn togethereveryone to learn together

THEN: Consult everyone involved in the issue THEN: Consult everyone involved in the issue about:about:

Questions that need to be asked, Questions that need to be asked, Information that should be gathered, Information that should be gathered, Methods for data collection and analysis, Methods for data collection and analysis, Who would be trusted to conduct further investigationWho would be trusted to conduct further investigation Focus on information relevant to the decision, not on available Focus on information relevant to the decision, not on available

information information Assume there may be more than one definition of the problem; Assume there may be more than one definition of the problem;

use all definitions as a basis for inquiry and problem solving.use all definitions as a basis for inquiry and problem solving. Use vocabulary that everyone can understand.Use vocabulary that everyone can understand. Respect different types of knowledge and different ways of Respect different types of knowledge and different ways of

knowing.knowing. Remember that science isn’t necessarily the underlying cause Remember that science isn’t necessarily the underlying cause

of the dispute –public opinion, values and morals play a huge of the dispute –public opinion, values and morals play a huge rolerole

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Identify areas of agreement and Identify areas of agreement and disagreement, disagreement,

This allows people to find common ground This allows people to find common ground and begin resolving their conflicts. and begin resolving their conflicts.

To begin reaching consensus, especially when To begin reaching consensus, especially when different parties have conflicting information:different parties have conflicting information: Convene workshops of experts – this creates a shared picture Convene workshops of experts – this creates a shared picture

of what is and isn’t known — and what remains in dispute.of what is and isn’t known — and what remains in dispute.

Provide open forums to discuss competing studies; identify Provide open forums to discuss competing studies; identify similarities and differencessimilarities and differences

Form a technical working group to support policy discussions Form a technical working group to support policy discussions on an ongoing basis.on an ongoing basis.

Invite a panel of experts, selected by the parties, to address Invite a panel of experts, selected by the parties, to address questions in an interactive format questions in an interactive format

Explicitly list unanswered questions and make Explicitly list unanswered questions and make recommendations to appropriate individuals or organizations recommendations to appropriate individuals or organizations for future research.for future research.

Establish and Establish and Enforce Enforce GroundrulesGroundrules.. Refer back to them if Refer back to them if

problems arise.problems arise.

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Promote Trust & Promote Trust & Personal RelationshipsPersonal Relationships

It’s harder to behave badly It’s harder to behave badly towards someone known as towards someone known as an individual than someone an individual than someone perceived merely as a perceived merely as a symbol. symbol.

Have a meal together. Have a meal together. Learn something about one Learn something about one

another personally.another personally.

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Remind participants of Remind participants of their agreed-upon their agreed-upon goalsgoals Steer back towards these Steer back towards these

goals often.goals often. http://www.berro.com/images1/Cool4.jpg

““Separate the People from the Separate the People from the Problem“Problem“ ((Getting to Yes, Fisher & Ury)Getting to Yes, Fisher & Ury)

Focus on the issues Focus on the issues Focus on the interests underlying the issuesFocus on the interests underlying the issues Look past the way the issues are raised.Look past the way the issues are raised.

Use humorUse humor Defuses tension Defuses tension Deflects attention from personality Deflects attention from personality

issues.issues.

IdentifyIdentify Why is the individual behaving in a Why is the individual behaving in a

difficult way? difficult way?

Address causes of behaviorAddress causes of behavior

Privately Coach "problem" Privately Coach "problem" individualsindividuals Teach them how to advance their interests Teach them how to advance their interests

through the process.through the process.

Discount the legitimacy of concernsDiscount the legitimacy of concerns

Let one or more individuals dominateLet one or more individuals dominate.. Everyone Everyone mustmust have the opportunity to be have the opportunity to be

heardheard Everyone Everyone mustmust have their concerns addressed have their concerns addressed

OROR They will lose interestThey will lose interest

3 Ways to ‘Get to’ and 3 Ways to ‘Get to’ and Implement an AgreementImplement an Agreement

"Look, everyone here loves vanilla, right? So let's start there." http://www.conflictresolution.org/cartoon/negotiation.htm

Putting an agreement into Putting an agreement into practice:practice: Secure an agreement Secure an agreement

Create incentives for all sides to comply Create incentives for all sides to comply with the agreementwith the agreement

Establish ongoing communication Establish ongoing communication between all partiesbetween all parties

Hold parties to their commitmentsHold parties to their commitments

Anticipate unexpected future eventsAnticipate unexpected future events

Agreement Failure Happens for many reasons:Agreement Failure Happens for many reasons: Agreement was not technically feasibleAgreement was not technically feasible Agreement was not institutionally feasibleAgreement was not institutionally feasible

Changes in circumstancesChanges in circumstances

Bad faithBad faith

Process did not involve all partiesProcess did not involve all parties

New parties emergedNew parties emerged

Negotiators lacked the ability to hold parties to their Negotiators lacked the ability to hold parties to their commitmentscommitments

Satisfy the interests of all partiesSatisfy the interests of all parties

Ensure Ensure ALLALL key parties are at the key parties are at the tabletable

Create Continuing relationshipsCreate Continuing relationships

Be explicit about who does what, Be explicit about who does what, whenwhen