Understanding Conflict And Conflict Resolution.

On Monday the 24th August, our Admin and HR officer Ms Estela Mah did a presentation on understanding conflict as well as various conflict resolution techniques we could use to manage conflict .

The presentation was pursuant to a 10days secluse for the 4th Training of Trainers workshop on peace Transformation organized by the PCC peace Office of the Presbyterian Church of Cameroon.


A conflict is a disagreement between two or more people and is equally a mental struggle resulting from opposing needs, wants, wishes, external or internal expectations.

Conflict when not resolved has many effects on the mental health of all involved. Conflicts can lead mental health challenges and illnesses such as, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, substance misuse, and precipitation of psychosis in extreme cases.

The key points noted in conflict resolution were;
a) Identifying all the relevant groups involved
b) Understanding the perspective of all these groups.
c) Learning from failures as well as successes.

The tool that were recommended included the conflict tree that helped us to resolve a conflict by identifying the main reasons of that conflict which are the roots and trying to solve them at that point before the whole tree grows into a big one that will represent a great problem.

Some of the conflict resolution techniques given were;
a) Problem Solving / Collaboration / Confronting
b) Compromising/Reconciling
c) Withdrawing/Avoiding
d) Forcing/Competing
e) Smoothing/Accommodating
Nonviolent communication was equally advised as it helps to guide us on how we express ourselves, how we hear others and resolve conflicts by focusing our consciousness. It is a tool that leads us toward a quality of connection among people where everyone’s needs are valued and met through compassion and its components are; observation, feelings, needs and requests.

The do no harm concept she elaborated on speaks to all humanitarian actors. It calls on us to avoid exposing people to additional risk through our actions and involves taking a step back from our social actions and mitigate potential effects to the environment, economy in times of conflict.

Some of the practices and behaviours that can cause harm and lead to conflicts include:
a) When behaviors are not adapted to the cultural contex;t
b) When there is an abuse of power (Sexual exploitation and abuse by some humanitarian field workers for example);
c) Failure to comply with humanitarian principles;
d) Selection of beneficiaries and special privileges giving rise to tension;
e) Creation of expectations to which interventions can not not respond;
f) Data collection without taking into consideration the dignity of the beneficiaries (Management of sensitive information without precautions).

Overall, it was a great presentation well mastered and explained by Ms. Estela, and the whole team was inspired.

Are you in any conflicting situation? Is it with self or others? Do not suffer in silence, we are offering psychotherapeutic support so do not hesitate to reach out to us

Kindly email us at hope@hope4abusedbattered.com
Visit our website www.hope4abusedbattered.com
Give us a call/WhatsApp # +237672576011


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#bethehope
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