How can you help a community develop a conflict resolution plan?

1 Assess the situation

The first step in developing a conflict resolution plan is to assess the current situation of the community and the nature and sources of the conflicts. You can do this by conducting surveys, interviews, focus groups, or observations to gather information from different perspectives and stakeholders. Some of the questions you can ask are: What are the main causes and effects of the conflicts? How are the conflicts affecting the community's goals and relationships? What are the existing methods and resources for dealing with the conflicts? How satisfied are the community members with the current situation?

2 Identify the goals and principles

The next step is to identify the goals and principles that will guide the conflict resolution plan. You can do this by facilitating a dialogue or a workshop with the community members to elicit their views and expectations. Some of the questions you can ask are: What are the desired outcomes and benefits of resolving the conflicts? What are the values and norms that the community wants to uphold in the process? What are the roles and responsibilities of the community members and leaders in the conflict resolution plan? How will the plan be communicated and implemented?

3 Choose the strategies and tools

The third step is to choose the strategies and tools that will help the community implement the conflict resolution plan. You can do this by reviewing and evaluating the available options and best practices from other communities or experts. Some of the strategies and tools you can consider are: mediation, negotiation, arbitration, restorative justice, peer support, training, education, feedback, monitoring, evaluation, and revision. You should also consider the feasibility, suitability, and effectiveness of each option for the community's context and needs.

4 Develop the procedures and protocols

The fourth step is to develop the procedures and protocols that will specify the details and steps of the conflict resolution plan. You can do this by drafting and revising a written document that covers all the aspects and scenarios of the plan. Some of the elements you should include are: the scope and purpose of the plan, the definitions and types of conflicts, the stages and steps of the process, the criteria and methods for selecting and training the facilitators or mediators, the rules and guidelines for the parties involved, the documentation and reporting requirements, and the contingency and appeal mechanisms.

5 Test and refine the plan

The fifth step is to test and refine the plan before launching it to the whole community. You can do this by conducting a pilot or a simulation with a small group of community members who volunteer to participate and provide feedback. You should also consult with the community leaders and stakeholders to ensure their support and endorsement. Some of the questions you can ask are: How well does the plan work in practice? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the plan? What are the challenges and opportunities for improvement? How can the plan be adapted or modified to better suit the community's needs?

6 Launch and sustain the plan

The final step is to launch and sustain the plan to the whole community and monitor its impact and outcomes. You can do this by organizing a launch event or a campaign to introduce and promote the plan to the community members and invite them to use it whenever they face a conflict. You should also provide ongoing support and training to the facilitators or mediators and the parties involved, and collect and analyze data and feedback to measure the effectiveness and satisfaction of the plan. You should also review and update the plan regularly to ensure its relevance and responsiveness to the changing needs and situations of the community.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?