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	Introduction
	Overview
	Workshop Session Plan
	Key Learning Outcomes

Introduction

Conflict resolution is a field that is relatively new historically but has developed as conflicts have become more intractible globally and at the local level.  Conflict resolution aims for outcomes that are of a win/win for both parties moving us away from adversarial winning/losing paradigms to one where we get our needs met and share the outcome as community.  Resolving conflict is not about right or wong it is about coming to a deeper understanding of differences (diversity) and working through a process which foucses on solving the problem not hating the person.   Often conflict resolution can produce transformation of people as their awareness is raised and they develop confidence having resolved conflicts.

There is a great deal of confusion when people are in conflict, they tend to react rather than respond and they typically see their own view as right and the other as wrong.  This forms positions where people become stuck or resentment can form which go for years if not resolved.  The negativity of conflict is damaging to society and individuals.  It can lead to obstructionist behaviours, to exclusion, to bullying and abuse and can lead a person to suicide.  So the importance of resolving conflict can not be over emphasised.

REAL HOPES 4 Conflict Resolution provides greater detail and opportunities for  experiential experience in approaching problems with a win/win in mind. 

Workshop Focus:
To understand what is conflict, the psychology of conflict, perceptions and communication skills.  The workshop focuses on problem solving, self inquiry and mediation as approaches to producing a win/win in conflict.
Target Audience: 
Secondary school and community
Duration:
2 hours to 1/2 day
Expected Outcomes:
Students will develop their perception around problems that issues are not black or white but are a reflection of how we feel, the way we see and how we interpret problems.  The 2 hour workshop explores in greater depth – what is conflict, blindspots, perceptions, releasing anger, listening skills, I Statements, group problem solving, role plays and personal inquiry.  The role play and inquiry will be debriefed to explore how we deal with conflict and to examine our thoughts.  This workshop is experiential and children will have a deeper appreciation for the complexity of conflict and some experience in exploring conflict with a win/win in mind.

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Overview

The REAL HOPES 4 Conflict Resolution workshop delves into greater detail to discover the complexities of conflict and the opportunities for unveiling solutions.   It traverses through values and explores that often what we see is the tip of the iceberg.  The program encourages students to understand their perceptions are different and that we are all unique.  The challenge in Conflict Resolution is to learn to see differently and appreciate that others are diverse.   The session explores what is conflict  and looks into the positive and negative dimensions.  Students become aware of their blindspot  and that we are same same but different.  They come to understand that negativity can have a physiologial affect on others and positive/negative intent and words impact.   The issue of communication is looked at in particularly how well they hear each other.  Conflict resolution is explored with a focus on problem solving and learning to release anger.  Students are shown techniques on self inquiry and mediation and then to develop a role play to resolve a conflict.  The session ends with a debrief and questions. 

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Workshop Session Plan

• Introduction
• REAL HOPES values framework
• What is conflict
• What is your blindspot
• Perceptions
• Diversity
• Impacts of negative or positive intent
• Communication: listening
• Conflict or resolution?
• The power of words
• Learning to release anger
• Solve the problem don’t hate the person
• Self inquiry
• Mediation
• Problem solving
• Mediation process
• I Statements
• Role playing conflict
• Wisdom

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Key Learning Outcomes

• To understand the dynamics of conflict.
• To understand the importance of values in interactions with others.
• To understand how perceptions affect what we think and feel.  That we have blindspots.
• To understand Conflict Resolution and mediation in particular.
• To appreciate diversity.
• To understand the damaging effects of negativity and to become aware of intent.
• To be aware of communication through listening, self expression and the power of words.
• To learn to question one’s own thoughts as a means of problem solving.
• To learn about meditation to understand there are always two sides and we are in reality learning about differences and how to live together with diversity rather than seeking conformity.
• To experience a role play and put into practice what has been learned.

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