Cultural Competence in a Multicultural World: Transforming Conflicts in Diverse Communities
Learn how resolve and use conflict to build capacity of groups to develop alliances.
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WHAT IS CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION?
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WHY IS TRANSFORMING CONFLICTS IN DIVERSE COMMUNITIES IMPORTANT?
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HOW CAN CONFLICTS BE TRANSFORMED?
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WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES IN TRANSFORMING CONFLICTS?
WHAT IS CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION?
Conflicts are natural parts of our lives. Some people tend to shy away from conflicts, while others tend to confront them. Some cultures encourage their members to conform, while others encourage their members to challenge.
Conflicts can occur between two or more individuals because of differences in personality, values, and opinions. When this type of conflict happens, conflict resolution techniques can be employed to help the parties find a peaceful solution to a disagreement. When the conflict is resolved, the two parties may walk away feeling somewhat or very satisfied.
Conflicts can also occur between two or more organizations or community groups. These conflicts may no longer be about individual differences, but also about divisions perpetuated by ignorance and intolerance, discrimination, and a history of fear and animosity. In such cases, conflict resolution between individuals may not be enough. The groups affected not only have to reconcile their differences; they also have to strengthen their ability to value each other, build alliances, and find common ground in order to change the systems that support their division. They have to transform their conflicts.
Conflict transformation, therefore, is the process whereby conflict is both resolved and used to build the capacity of groups to develop alliances that value equitable relationships, promote harmony, and effect systems change.
WHY IS TRANSFORMING CONFLICTS IN DIVERSE COMMUNITIES IMPORTANT?
In a diverse community composed of two or more ethnic, or cultural groups, conflicts are more likely to occur because of:
- Differences in group identity, which is shaped by the group's cultural values, history, socioeconomic status, and perceived power.
- History of hostile interaction and discrimination.
- Misinformed stereotypes and perceptions caused by prejudiced attitudes and other external influences (e.g., the media).
Transforming conflicts that stem from these causes takes time, patience, humility, a long-term commitment, and a willingness to trust and to take the risk of making mistakes. But the effort is well worth it because diversity enriches our lives and our communities, and diversity is not something you can eliminate. Global changes and natural disasters (climate change, earthquakes, hurricanes), war, economic downturns, and other factors cause different groups of people to move in and out of countries, states, cities, and communities. Conflict is dynamic and always evolving. Therefore, it is important to be able to transform conflicts to create and sustain stronger alliances and communities.
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