A World of Possibilities: Conflict Resolution Education Around the Globe September 4 th and 5 th, 2006 Near East University Nicosia, Cyprus

Presented by Tricia S. Jones, Ph.D. Dept. of Psychological Studies in Education Temple University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA tel/fax: /6013

Conflict Resolution Education:, Models, Relationships to other Fields

Defining CRE Conflict resolution education “models and teaches, in culturally meaningful ways, a variety of processes, practices and skills that help address individual, interpersonal, and institutional conflicts, and create safe and welcoming communities. These processes, practices and skills help individuals understand conflict processes and empower them to use communication and creative thinking to build relationships and manage and resolve conflicts fairly and peacefully” (Association for Conflict Resolution, 2002).

Introduction to CRE CRE programs include a variety of efforts which share various emphases: –An understanding of conflict –Social, emotional and cognitive processes related to constructive conflict management –principles of conflict resolution –process steps in problem solving –skills required to use each of the steps effectively

CRE Program Models Mediation program approach –Peer mediation, stand alone program Process curriculum approach –Specific curriculum of conflict content, like Workable Peace, PYN Peaceable classroom approach –Whole classroom methodology, curriculum infusion Peaceable school approach –Comprehensive whole school methodology

USDE On-line CRE Course Managing and Resolving Conflicts Effectively in Schools and Classrooms was developed through the National Training and Technical Assistance Center for Drug Prevention and School Safety Coordinators, through a contract with the U.S. Department of Education’s Safe and Drug Free Schools Office. The work of the Center concluded on January 31, 2006; many of its products can be found at and on

Goals of CRE Enhance Students’ Social and Emotional Development Create a Safe Learning Environment Create a Constructive Learning Environment Create a Constructive Conflict Community

E nhance Students’ Social and Emotional Development increase perspective-taking increase empathy improve emotional awareness and management reduce aggressive orientations and hostile attributions increase use of constructive conflict behaviors

Create a Safe Learning Environment decrease anti-social behavior that leads to violence decrease conflicts between groups of students decrease suspensions, absenteeism, and drop out rates decrease incidents of violence

Create a Constructive Learning Environment improve school climate improve teacher/administrator/st udent relationships increase valuing of diversity and practice of tolerance promote a respectful and caring environment

Create a Constructive Conflict Community increase parental and community involvement link school CRE with larger commuity CRE efforts develop more peaceful/peaceable school community

Content of CRE Essential Skills and Abilities’ orientation abilities perception abilities emotional abilities communication abilities creative-thinking abilities critical thinking abilities

CRE Program Models Process curriculum approach Mediation program approach Peaceable classroom approach Peaceable school approach

Discussion Question

Relationship of CRE to Other Fields Social and Emotional Learning Violence Prevention Anti-Bias Education Law-Related Education Conflict Resolution Education Peace and Justice Studies

Violence Prevention VP is more limited in scope VP tends to focus more on systemic causes of violence than CRE VP emphasizes policy change while CRE emphasizes individual skill building and community education VP programs usually focus on structural and equipment interventions VP programs more linked with “risk” behaviors/ substance abuse, sexual activity

Social and Emotional Learning SEL focuses more on general emotional competence conflict management skills are related but lesser focus; conflict competence is a strongly related area, especially at later ages SEL programs are geared more toward younger K-5 students

Anti-Bias Education ABE focuses on cross-cultural awareness ABE concentrates on prejudice reduction and appreciation for diversity ABE has strong hate crime prevention elements ABE examines the systemic roots of oppression and strategizing to dismantle them

Law-Related Education LRE explores the foundations and processes of law and legal institutions LRE focuses on the full spectrum of conflict management that overlaps with law and legal institutions

Peace Education PE focuses more on international conflict areas and institutional response to institutional conflict PE and Justice Studies are usually more concerned with societal level change processes necessary to avoid destructive conflict PE and Justice Studies often take a strongly transformative approach rather than a skills- development or interpersonal relationship emphasis