Conflict Resolution

Application: Conflict Resolution

“Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding.” —Albert Einstein

Conflict resolution skills can draw us closer to other people, as they offer strategies to jointly search for fair solutions and balanced needs. This process may involve participants in a powerful shift from adversaries to cooperative partners, with the goal of every person benefiting from this shift.

This week, you have been exploring conflict resolution through various resources, including your course text and organizations such as the Association for Conflict Resolution, the Conflict Resolution Network, and the Third Side. You have been learning that there are many different strategies and techniques that can be used to approach and resolve conflicts on personal and professional levels. Conflict resolution begins with a willingness to negotiate, i.e., to not only consider but also recognize and respect others’ perspectives.

 

Part 1: Conflict Resolution Scenarios

For this Application Assignment, you will have an opportunity to practice your conflict resolution skills. First, read over and then choose one of the two scenarios in the document linked below. Each scenario presents a situation in which a problem or conflict needs to be resolved. As you read the scenario, think about the different approaches to conflict resolution about which you have been learning. Ask yourself these questions:

  • What is the problem?
  • Who are the people, or groups, involved in the conflict?
  • What is the perspective of each person, or group, involved in the conflict?
  • What is the context of the problem?
  • What would be the most effective approaches and/or strategies to use to resolve this conflict in a way so that everyone is satisfied with the result?

Use your course text, as well as the following resources:

  • Association for Conflict Resolution
    http://www.acrnet.org/
  • Conflict Resolution Network
    http://www.crnhq.org/pages.php?pID=12#skill_3
  • The Third Side
    http://www.thirdside.org/

Link to the scenarios in the Word doc below, and choose one of the two scenarios for your assignment.

Conflict Resolution Scenarios 

After reading your scenario, write a paper that answers the following questions:

  • What is the problem, who are the people or groups involved, and what is the context?
  • What are all the perspectives involved?
  • How would you approach this situation/conflict?
  • What specific skills would you use to approach and solve this issue?
  • What are the most important aspects of conflict resolution?
  • What have you learned about this vital process and how can you build on this knowledge to enhance your skills as an early childhood professional?

To help you address this conflict, draw information and strategies from your Learning Resources and cite your references. If you can, try and pull information from each resource. Also, find one additional resource that helps you solve this issue and cite it in your paper.

 

Assignment length: 23 pages

 

Due on Day 7