What is Conflict? Conflict is ubiquitous. It appears in our homes, in our schools and in our businesses. No institution is immune to the disruptive effects of conflict. Unresolved, conflict can impair productivity, drain resources and devastate lives. But does it have to be this way? Conflict Management education addresses the issues that divide our world by encouraging communication, fostering positive relationships and developing comprehensive, long-term solutions. Further, it enhances the safety and vitality of our families, communities and workplaces. Conflict management is also a set of tools and a way of thinking that can help not only prevent conflict, but effectively engage it once it arises. Conflict management education teaches the various ways people choose to react when confronted with conflict situations and the effect of those reactions on potential outcomes. Studying conflict is really about learning skills which provide the ability to respond in ways that help prevent and manage conflict by reducing ineffective responses. Conflict Management is a diverse, interdisciplinary field with corporate, non-profit, public administration, international and legal applications. The field of Conflict Management attracts students and professionals from a wide variety of backgrounds and is practiced in environments ranging from corporate boardrooms to international negotiations to family mediations. 6
For more information about the field of Conflict Managment, visit the following: Alliance for Conflict Transformation www.conflicttransformation.org American Bar Association
www.americanbar.org/groups /dispute_resolution.html
Association for Conflict Resolution www.acrnet.org
Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service www.fmcs.gov
Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution www.godr.org
International Ombudsman Association www.ombudsassociation.org
International Peace Research Association www.ipra-peace.com
Mediators and Everything Mediation www.mediate.com
Peace and Collaborative Network
www.internationalpeaceandconflict.org Search for Common Ground www.sfcg.org
Humanitarian Service and Education www.humanitariantraining.org