Conflict Transformation Theory Research Articles

Challenges and Opportunities of Rebuilding Physical Education Programs in Post-Conflict Iraqi Schools in Iraq

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the challenges and opportunities of rebuilding physical education programs in post-conflict Iraqi schools in Iraq. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: Rebuilding physical education programs in post-conflict Iraqi schools faces challenges such as infrastructure damage, limited resources, and cultural attitudes that prioritize academics. Safety concerns also create anxiety for families regarding participation. However, there are significant opportunities for development, including promoting holistic growth, engaging communities in program development, and collaborating with NGOs for funding and resources. Integrating physical education with other subjects can enhance student engagement. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Ecological systems theory, resilience theory & conflict transformation theory may be used to anchor future studies on the challenges and opportunities of rebuilding physical education programs in post-conflict Iraqi schools in Iraq. Develop and implement strategies for rebuilding and repurposing damaged physical education facilities using available resources. Advocate for the inclusion of physical education as a critical component of educational and post-conflict reconstruction policies.

Determinants of the Root Causes and Success Factors for the East African Community Regional Force Intervention in Managing Intractable Intrastate Conflicts in the DRC

Globally, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has had one of the most intractable conflicts. Several attempts, ranging from global, continental, and regional levels, have been made to address these conflicts with little success. The deployment of the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) in 2022, a period characterized by the emergence and intensification of the March 23 Movement (M23) — a rebel group that seeks to advance the interests of the Congolese Tutsi ethnic group within the DRC military and political system — was envisaged to change the fortunes regarding the conflicts in the DRC. This was because it would be the first localized attempt at intervention. However, since the intervention of the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) in the DRC, there seems to have been little progress regarding the management of intractable conflicts. This paper sought to investigate the determinants of the success of the EACRF intervention in the management of the DRC’s intractable intra-state conflict. The study is underpinned by the interpretivism research philosophy, and the paper was anchored on Conflict Transformation Theory to sustain the study variables. The researcher adopted two research designs — descriptive survey and historical longitudinal research designs — to ensure valid research results. The target population was 297, from which a sample of 177 was derived, including EACRF ground personnel, military attachés, members of the local community, leaders of rebel groups, and refugees, who were sampled using census, simple random, snowballing, and purposive sampling techniques. The study findings established that EACRF's success was inhibited by a number of factors: 91 (60.66%) respondents acknowledged that institutional weaknesses in East African Community (EAC) states contribute to prolonged conflicts in the DRC. Additionally, 43 (28.66%) respondents stated that regional security competition, namely power rivalry, affects the management of the DRC conflict. Furthermore, 8 (5.33%) respondents cited the informal economy, and 8 (5.33%) respondents mentioned trans-border social networks as additional factors contributing to the complexity of internal conflict in the DRC. The paper concludes that the EACRF has had limited success due to several factors, thereby inhibiting its management of intractable intra-state conflicts in the DRC. The paper recommended that the EAC strategically focus on region-centric intervention in New Warfare in eastern DRC, especially in the Republics of Burundi, Rwanda, and Uganda, given that rebel groups originating from these nations frequently operate in the Eastern Region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Strengthening good governance in these states, including the DRC, is necessary to quell ethnic unrest that fuels internal and regional conflicts within the EAC.

National security and political space for youth in Thailand’s Deep South

The study at hand focuses on youths in Thailand’s violence-ridden Deep South, since they tend to become drawn into political struggles more than other groups. Youths are not only targets of security officials but are people who represent the future of Thailand’s Deep South. Using the concept of political space from the United States’ National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the conflict transformation theory of John Paul Lederach, this study found that national security measures drawn up by the Thai state have limited the political space of youth in conflict area. The main target group of this study is youths of 15–35 years old who have sought to broaden political space with regard to social and political activities. This study shows that the Thai government has used the strategy of “Politics leading the military,” prioritizing political space rather than using force to solve problems. However, state policies were organized under a framework of security which affected the political expression of young people. Nevertheless, youths have been aware of this limitation and have thus sought to improve their strategies of broadening political space as a means of helping to create a more fear-free atmosphere to increase their influence on potential peacebuilding processes.

Climate transformation through feminist ethics of care

Aiming to mitigate negative impacts of climate change, climate adaptation policy and practice increasingly engages with nuanced and differentiated impacts of climate change. Existing adaptation approaches and research informing them largely focus on outcomes of climactic events, but lack consideration of power structures shaping these phenomena and experiences of them. From a feminist peace perspective, I posit that tackling intersectional violences of climate change necessitates greater engagement with underlying knowledge. This paper explores how ways of knowing climate change impact ways of living with it: analyzing the ground on which climate action interventions stand and the paths on which they set us.I theorize ‘climate transformation’ as processual shifts in ways of knowing a problem and solution toward norms of a feminist peace. Theory is developed abductively, based on original fieldwork in Puerto Rico and drawing on conflict transformation theory and elaborating knowledge production through feminist ethics of care. The model developed here enables analyzing orientations of current situations and change processes in relation to desirable futures. I find that actors involved in peace work and climate action in Puerto Rico foster transformation based on: caring in current relations and experience; caring through change processes affectively and reciprocally; and caring for a vision of the future through prefigurative and historicized imagination. The framework advances academic study and policy development on transformative climate action for tackling historic and intersectional violences to influence and enact particular visions of peace.

POLITICAL AND LEGAL ANALYSIS OF UN PEACEKEEPERS’ MANDATE IN THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

This article explores the evolving role and effectiveness of United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions, focusing on the case study of the Central African Republic (CAR). It begins by contextualizing the historical background of the CAR conflict and the establishment of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in CAR (MINUSCA) in 2014. Using a multidisciplinary approach drawing from international relations, peace and conflict studies, and political science, the article employs theoretical frameworks such as Liberal Peace Theory, Realism, Neorealism, Constructivism, and Conflict Transformation Theory to analyze MINUSCA’s mandate evolution and activities. The examination highlights MINUSCA’s shift from traditional peacekeeping tasks to broader responsibilities, including fostering national dialogue, supporting electoral processes, and aiding in institution-building. It examines how MINUSCA’s mandate expansion reflects changing international norms and identifies motivations behind external actors’ involvement in CAR, such as France and the UN. Additionally, the article evaluates MINUSCA’s effectiveness in contributing to peace and stability in CAR, considering factors like resource constraints and geopolitical dynamics. By synthesizing theoretical insights, historical analysis, and evaluative frameworks, the article also provides a nuanced understanding of UN peacekeeping missions’ evolution, challenges, and implications for international peace and security. It contributes to ongoing discussions on the role of international organizations in conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts, offering insights into the complexities of modern peacekeeping operations and their impact on conflict-affected regions like the Central African Republic.

MANAGING CONFLICT TO INCREASE ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS

Conflict is an unavoidable element of human interactions. Within the framework of business organizations, the ability to effectively resolve conflicts remains pivotal to preserving a pleasant and productive work environment. The present work looks at the definitions of conflict that enlist its key factors and shows how conflict is inherent in human interaction in their workplaces. This paper highlights the common types of conflict usually exhibited in organizations and examines the sources and causes of conflict. This study considers in detail six theories on managing conflict, including Thomas-Kilmanns Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI), Integrative Negotiation Theory, Interest-Based Theory (Fisher & Urys Principled Negotiation), Mediation and Third-Party Interventions, Conflict Transformation Theory, and Cultural Intelligence and Cross-Cultural Conflict Resolution Theory. Towards the end, some steps and strategies have been shared to resolve conflicts and increase organizational effectiveness, as suggested by various researchers. KEYWORDS: conflict, theories of conflict management, organizational effectiveness, strategies for managing conflicts.

How to move from conflict to opportunity in the not-in-my-backyard dilemma: A case study of the Asuwei waste incineration plant in Beijing

Environmental Not-In-My-Backyard (NIMBY) conflicts pose significant challenges to environmental sustainability and governance capacity, particularly in transition economies like China. However, existing literature has largely overlooked the potential for transforming environmental NIMBY conflicts into opportunities, leaving a gap in our comprehension of the underlying mechanisms facilitating such transformations. Building upon the traditional conflict transformation theory, we develop a theoretical framework of Environmental NIMBY Conflict Transformation (ENCT) specifically tailored to environmental NIMBY conflicts. To validate and enrich ENCT empirically, we employ the theory-testing process tracing approach, utilizing the case study of the Asuwei waste incineration plant as a representative case of the successful transformation of an environmental NIMBY conflict. Our findings reveal that intricate environmental NIMBY conflicts are not inherently destructive, but rather, when approached with suitable strategies, they possess the potential to be transformed into opportunities. Furthermore, environmental NIMBY conflicts can undergo transformation through the underlying mechanisms of five main categories: actor transformation, structure transformation, mode transformation, issue transformation, and situation transformation. In addition, we further link the relationship between conflict and opportunity from ten subcategories. These insights are expected to encourage environmental regulators to adopt conflict-shifted perspectives when dealing with potential environmental justice movements, thereby improving the effectiveness of environmental governance.

How Principals’ Knowledge and Experiences Inform Their Use of Restorative in Lieu of Exclusionary Practices

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the experiences and knowledge that informed the decision-making of nine principals from a large midwestern urban district who shifted from implementing mainly exclusionary to restorative practices. Framed by Lederach's conflict transformation theory, the research question was: What knowledge and experiences informed school principals’ shifts toward a commitment to restorative practices? Analysis of semi-structured interviews yielded two themes: (1) The importance of professional development and (2) Shifting from punitive toward student-centered thinking. Findings and implications shed light on how to best support principals to shift their lenses towards restorative practices in schools.

Theoretical approaches to studying the post-conflict peacebuilding in ,,prolonged conflicts”: the case of the Republic of Moldova

The article is devoted to the analysis of theoretical approaches to the study of the post-conflict stage of peacebuilding in „protracted conflicts”. In this context, the definitions of „prolonged conflict” and „post-conflict stage” are analyzed, as well as various approaches to the emergence of the post-conflict stage in the context of conflict transformation theory. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of the factors that influence the emergence of the post-conflict stage in „unresolved conflicts”. The application of the theory of conflict transformation to analyze the relationship of the parties in the conditions of the „hybrid field”, which includes the absence of hostilities and the presence of a dialogue between the conflict parties, as well as the use of the efforts of international actors to reach a political decision on the resolution of the conflict, form the basis of the methodology of the study of the post-conflict peace consolidation stage related to the conflicts in the post-Soviet space. This approach, which is of not only scientific, but also practical interest in the context of the existence of a prolonged unresolved conflict in the Republic of Moldova, highlights the need to form a different vision and a new pr

The role of Igbo women in peace building during the Nigerian civil war: 1967 – 1970

The salient roles of Igbo women during the Nigeria Civil War were a catalyst in the survival of many dying and suffering children, and the broken and frustrated Biafra soldiers. The roles too were important in the internal security of Igboland in the absence of the men who were on the war front to defend the fatherland. The devastation caused by the war affected the culture and traditional institutions of the Igbo, which in effect, posed a double challenge to the women. Igbo women were not only victims of the war, they were challenged too with roles of acting as heads of their various families and bridge builders in communal and inter-communal relations. The women amid uncertainties embarked individually and communally on peace-building processes. A spectrum of interventions embarked by the women to bring the end to the war spread across the area of health, business, international relations and food security through their salient actions, which enhanced and promoted human security and created positive peace in the land. This paper examines these roles played by Igbo women during the war and how their efforts helped bring about peace and hope during, and after the war period. Looking back and the devastation of that time, the Igbo women today would abhor any wars in Nigeria. We employ the conflict transformation theory in this narrative and conclude that Igbo women are creative peace-builders.

Peace Initiatives in Resource Based Conflicts in Post-Colonial Kenya: A Case of Lower Nyando River Basin of Kisumu County, Kenya

There is growing literature focusing on resource extraction and unbalanced sharing of natural resources in the exploitation community and conflict especially in the developing countries. Whereas a lot of attention has been directed at grievances of conflicting parties in natural resource based conflicts, limited attention is being given to peace initiatives including the role of local peace committees and community led peace building networks. This paper provided an insight on the role of peace initiatives in resource based conflicts in post-colonial Kenya, with particular attention to lower Nyando River Basin of Kisumu County, Kenya. Specific objectives were to determine the magnitude of resource based conflicts among communities in the Lower Nyando River Basin, analyse the role of local peace committees in resource based conflicts among communities in the Lower Nyando River Basin and to establish the contribution of community led peace-building networks in resource based conflicts among communities in the Lower Nyando River Basin, Kenya. Conflict transformation theory which articulates transforming the causes of conflict as the right approach for resolving and curtailing emerging disputes was adopted to guide the study. Mixed method design involving quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis approaches was adopted. Target population comprised of (Ogenya=153; Kakola Ombaka=704; Jimo Middle=131, and West Kabodho=225) who were natural resource reliant in both Nyakach and Nyando Sub-counties with a sample size of 278 respondents obtained based on Gill et al’s Table of Desired Accuracy with Confidence Level of 95%. The study also interviewed 4 elected community leaders from each sub location. Findings showed that the magnitude of resource based conflicts in the area was high (M=3.91; SD=0.08). The study also found that local peace committees were important peacebuilding initiatives (M=4.17; SD=0.23), while peacebuilding networks existing in the study area had contributed in resolving conflicts to a large extent (M=4.01; SD=0.25). It was concluded that unfounded apportioning of the wetland by the feuding communities has made the magnitude of conflict to be high in the study area. The study also concludes that local peacebuilding initiatives have helped in managing resource based conflict in the area due to their acceptability and incessant peace messaging.

Influence of the Kenya National Policy on Peacebuilding and Conflict Management Framework on the Sub-County Peacebuilding Committees in Mombasa County

Global experience with sustainable peacebuilding has been diverse since the term was formally introduced to the world by the United Nations in 1992. Since then, peacebuilding has been implemented in the absence of a universally accepted approach or clear criteria for success. Multiple actors have conceptualized and implemented peacebuilding to correspond with their contexts and needs. This is true for Kenya and Mombasa County, in particular. Mombasa Sub-County Peacebuilding Committees have been conducting peacebuilding in the County, against the backdrop of old conflict drivers such as poverty and resource-based conflict, and emerging threats to peace such as drug trafficking and youth radicalization. Therefore, the ability of the Sub-County Peacebuilding Committees to foster sustainable peacebuilding in these circumstances needs to be interrogated. The objective of this study was to examine the influence of the policy framework of the formal peacebuilding infrastructure in fostering sustainable peacebuilding. The conceptual framework was based on Galtung’s Theory of Peacebuilding, Galtung’s Theory of Structural Violence, and Lederach’s Conflict Transformation Theory. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design and applied both convenience and purposive sampling techniques. Data was collected through semi-structured questionnaires, key informant interviews (KII), and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) guides and observation checklists. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used for data analysis. The study findings indicated that Mombasa County Sub-County Peacebuilding Committees are experiencing diminished agency because of a lack of resources to carry out peacebuilding work in the County. Those members of the Sub-County Peacebuilding Committees were not competent to undertake modern-day peacebuilding activities because of inadequate training. Therefore; the study recommends that the idea of peacebuilding through local peacebuilding structures such as Sub-County Peacebuilding Committees be a priority in Kenya’s peacebuilding discourse with some modifications in the formation and functioning of Sub-County Peacebuilding Committees. The Sub-County Peacebuilding Committees should be de-linked from the county security processes and positioned as the “Honest Brokers for Peacebuilding”, whose primary responsibility will be to harness all available resources in their locality to bear on their peacebuilding agenda. The national government should educate the public about peacebuilding and the role that Sub-County Peacebuilding Committees are expected to play in this agenda.

Dampak Radikalisme terhadap Perempuan Masa Kini

Radicalism is a deviant thing and has an impact on women. Women are considered to be the perpetrators in an act of violence such as terrorism. In his understanding, radicalism does not only have its own interests, but is very subject to the perspective of the majority. The notion of radicalism can be seen in terms of religion, social, or violent-conflict. Even women have always been the most affected by the existence of radicalism. Therefore, this study aims to discuss Johan Galtung's conflict transformation theory and Peter Neumann's religious violence. This study uses qualitative methods through literature study and descriptive analysis of current radicalism. The results of this study indicate that what Johan Galtung said is related to conflict theory and Peter Neumann, so there must be a basic reference regarding the impact of radicalism on women in every authoritarian government policy in the name of religion and gender.

The Zimbabwean Response to RENAMO Incursions: A Conflict Transformation Perspective

The study analysed the Zimbabwean responses to the RENAMO incursions that have affected communities along the border. The analysis was done through the lens of John Paul Lederach’s theory of Conflict Transformation. In particular, the study sought to gauge the effectiveness and sustainability of these methods employed by both the Zimbabwean community and the government. The recurrence of the violent incursions necessitated the study into the Zimbabwean border communities by the RENAMO rebels. It was also necessitated by the recurrence of hostilities between RENAMO and FRELIMO forces in Mozambique. The study was based on the case study of Chipinge in Manicaland, Zimbabwe. The community is located near the Zimbabwe-Mozambique border and is frequently affected by violent incursions whenever conflict breaks out in Mozambique. The research findings made it clear that the Zimbabwean responses to the RENAMO incursions have not been effective. The responses thus far have left the border communities vulnerable to further attacks from the rebels. However, these approaches are unsustainable from a Conflict transformation perspective. The approaches are short-sighted in outlook and have at best achieved a negative peace scenario. The study recommends Zimbabwe devise a conflict transformative approach that is long term in nature to stand against the RENAMO incursions effectively.

Конфронтация в управлении конфликтом

The aim of the research is to identify the features and main theoretical and practical aspects of stimulating interpersonal conflict through controlled confrontation of its parties. The article clarifies the potential of conflict stimulation for realization of its constructive development scenario and reaching the agreement between the conflict parties. The scientific originality of the research consists in transition from the resolution theory to the conflict transformation theory, as well as in consideration of confrontation as a transformation instrument, both at the level of problem and the level of personality. As a result, it has been proved that confrontational conflict management realized in the process of stimulating intervention is efficient for interpersonal conflict transformation at the level of actors.

NON-STATE ACTOR IN CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION: MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION OF MA DAARUL ULUUM PUI MAJALENGKA TOWARDS ETHNO-RELIGION CONFLICT IN SOUTHERN THAILAND

The conflict between the Malay Muslim and the Thailand government in Southern Thailand has become one of the ethno-religion conflicts that effects the security of the Southeast Asian region. Various actors, both local and international, have attempted to broker peace between the parties in the conflict. Based on the conflict transformation theory, this study aims to discover the role of MA Daarul Uluum PUI Majalengka as a non-state actor in promoting peace through efforts of conflict transformation in the Southern Thailand ethno-religion conflict. The research method used is qualitative type research with descriptive analysis technique, through primary and secondary type data management. Primary data was obtained from interview and secondary data was obtained from written sources that support the study. This research shows there is an effort made by MA Daarul Uluum PUI Majalengka to conduct peace education through a student and teacher exchange scheme with several schools in Thailand that have Buddhist identity backgrounds in order to grow tolerance between ethnicities and religions in Thailand.

Conflict Transformation Theory as a Tool for Non- violence: The Case of Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Formations in Zimbabwe

Conflict Transformation Theory as a Tool for Non- violence: The Case of Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Formations in Zimbabwe

Identitas Kebalian; Rekonstruksi Etnik Bali Dalam Mempertahankan Identitas Pasca Konflik

This study analyzes the various efforts made by the Balinuraga people to transform conflictual conditions into harmony after the conflict that has resulted in the loss of the Balinuraga community's collective identity, and makes destructive to constructive. So far there has been no research that examines the efforts made by the Balinese ethnic to maintain their identity after the conflict. This research uses descriptive qualitative methods with anthropological and sociological approaches by collecting data through interviews, observation and documentation. In the case analysis process, the writer uses several theories, namely ethnic identity theory, conflict transformation theory, adaptation theory, social integration theory and social interaction theory. The results showed that conflict was triggered by juvenile delinquency, expanded with the issue of ethnicity and group arrogance as an accelerator and conflict transformation efforts were carried out in four dimensions, namely personal, relational, structural and cultural transformation in order to achieve sustainable peace and national security. The implementation of the ethnic reconstruction strategy carried out by the Balinuraga community is considered effective enough to restore ethnic identity which was initially quite worrying after the conflict with ethnic Lampung in Balinuraga village, in general, the 4 reconstruction strategies that the researcher put in this thesis have included most of those carried out by the community. The Balinuraga.

Effectiveness of the Conflict Management Mechanisms in Land Use Conflicts in West Pokot County, Kenya

West Pokot County, Kenya has experienced land use conflicts for a very long time. Land is a very important resource for pastoralists and agropastoralists’ livelihood. Formal Conflict management mechanisms were established to manage land use conflict in West Pokot County however, the conflicts persisted. The Constitution of Kenya 2010, transformed the conflict management mechanisms by integrating the formal and the informal mechanisms. The judiciary system of conflict management was complimented by the alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and the traditional dispute resolution mechanisms. Despite the integration of the formal and informal conflict management mechanisms, land use conflicts have persisted in West Pokot County, Kenya. Therefore, this study explored the effectiveness of the conflict management mechanisms in transforming land use conflicts in West Pokot County. The study used the conflict transformation theory to analyze the effectiveness of the conflict management mechanisms in transforming land use conflicts in the county. It used both descriptive and explanatory research designs to give the actual picture and explanations of the effectiveness of the conflict management mechanisms in West Pokot County. The questionnaire, interview schedule, focused group discussion and observation schedules were used to collect data primary data. This study used the SPSS to analyze quantitative data while qualitative data was analyzed using qualitative analysis. The findings of the study shows that the conflict management mechanisms in West Pokot County are not effective in the transformation of land use conflicts. Complete implementation of the conflict management mechanisms will improve the transformation of land use conflicts in West Pokot County. Keywords: Conflicts, Mechanisms, Management, Land-use, County DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/11-4-02 Publication date: February 28 th 2021

Teacher Empowerment Strategies for Conflict Transformation and Peace Building in Kenya

The effects of violent conflict on education are enormous, and provision of quality education cannot be realised if teachers are not adequately trained to teach in conflict-prone areas. This reality prompted the study to investigate strategies to empower teachers in conflict transformation and peacebuilding. Guided by the Conflict Transformation Theory which proposes to identify the root causes of a conflict, and the use of creativity to transform the causes based on relationships and sub-systems that surround the conflict over time, a cross-sectional mixed methods study was conducted in Mt. Elgon region, Kenya. The study found that: for teachers to participate in conflict transformation there was a need for training in peace education and implementation of Life Skills Curriculum through various methods including distance education. Since then the government has developed education sector policy on peace education which provides for policy and curriculum initiatives, collaboration and partnerships to address challenges in peacebuilding and violent extremism. Initiatives to train teachers and education officers in peace education and implementation of the Life Skills Curriculum have been instituted. However, despite the efforts, peace education is not effectively taught in many schools due to inadequate teacher training. Equally, life skills education, one of the main subjects to promote peace education, is not effectively implemented. To mitigate this, the government has made several efforts to identify best practices to promote peace education and implement life skills, among them, teacher training on how to enhance peace education through mainstreaming and implementation of Life Skills Curriculum. There is need for further investigation on the current gaps in peace education in the wake of the curriculum review to Competency Based Curriculum in Kenya.