Conflict Resolution

​Solving conflicts is incredibly difficult because conflicts are driven by strong emotions and usually have lasted for a long time. The stronger the emotions and the longer the conflict has been around, the more difficult it is to solve. How long has this conflict been going on? Is it based on a previous conflict, maybe from far in the peoples’ collective memories? For example, The outbreak of violence in the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s is said to be partially based on a speech marking the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Kosovo where Serbs were conquered by Muslims. This collective wound resounded with the Serbs for 600 years and contributed to the resulting war against non-Serbs.​
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Are there particular patterns of behaviour in the conflict that can be mapped out by time or place? For example, some conflicts based on resources flare up at times of drought or famine as in the Darfur region of Sudan.​
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Who are the stakeholders involved? Which groups have an interest in the conflict and act to keep it going and why? Which groups act to help find solutions and why? The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has multiple inside and outside stakeholders, most supporting one side over the other in a win-lose approach because their worldviews give their involvement a particular meaning such as religion, collective pride or alliance. Those trying to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict may also have similar motivations but in a positive sense to help create win-win solutions.