Online presentation of a model for working with conflicts in communities

In October, an online event took place: “Working with conflicts in communities based on internal resources: presentation of a model for working with conflicts and practical discussion”, which was developed by representatives of the Community of Practitioners of Dialogue Ukraine in cooperation with the All-Ukrainian Association of Communities with the support of the International Renaissance Foundation.

The event was attended by:

Victoria Stokratyuk, Manager of the Civic Resilience Program of the International Renaissance Foundation;

Igor Abramyuk, Development Director - Deputy Executive Director of VAG;

Natalia Bezkhlibna , Director of Strategic Development and Advisor on Peacebuilding Initiatives of the Dialogue Ukraine Community of Practitioners, Project Manager "Strengthening the Capacity of Communities to Work with Conflicts."

During the event, a model for working with conflicts in communities was presented, developed by Natalia Bezkhlibna, Iryna Eigelson, Olga Kuharuk, Liliya Oliynyk, Inna Tereshchenko in collaboration with VAG. The model is based on a three-level system — community, region, expert group — and offers practical tools for early detection, analysis and resolution of conflicts in communities.

The participants of the event paid special attention to recommendations for local governments regarding prevention, mediation, and constructive interaction in conditions of social tensions.

Forming a team in the community that is ready to work with conflicts and invest its resources in it, and accordingly learn about it proactively, in particular through specialized programs that include theoretical training and practical work.

Willingness, if necessary, to involve and allow external experts from the VAG and professional conflict communities to work with conflicts in the community.

Training in basic conflict management techniques for employees of education departments, social security departments, other areas of services for citizens, and specialists on the first line of contact with citizens.

Building community awareness about conflicts and the opportunities and necessity of working with them.

Forming a culture of open discussion of conflicts, reducing prejudices and fears about the possibility of talking about the conflict, because open discussion allows you to see the problem that led to the conflict from different sides and jointly search for options for its resolution and the resources necessary for this.

Creating platforms for open dialogue between the authorities and various groups and categories of citizens regarding their problems increases trust in the authorities and the willingness of active citizens to jointly seek solutions.

Why do communities need this?

• develop local teams of mediators;

• strengthen trust between authorities and citizens;

• turn conflicts into opportunities for development;

• to create a culture of open dialogue instead of silencing tensions.

The event was an important step towards spreading a culture of dialogue in order to strengthen social cohesion and increase the resilience of Ukrainian communities.

The meeting can be watched in the recording at the link: https://youtu.be/GS7AENRXZ_o

Keep the methodological materials as a practical tool in your work: https://online.fliphtml5.com/UCoDP/plhq/#p=14