The Meaning of Reconciliation Dynamics of Reconciliation — Week 2 Dr. David Tombs

2 Definitions of Reconciliation - Oxford English Dictionary ‘The action of reconciling persons, or the result of this; the fact of being reconciled’ Dynamics of Reconciliation — Week 2 David Tombs

3 Definitions of Reconciliation - Latin Etymology ‘Calling together again’ or ‘Calling back together’ Re ‘again’; conciliatio ‘bringing together’ or ‘assembling’ (derived from con = together and calo/calare = to call or summon) Dynamics of Reconciliation — Week 2 David Tombs

4 Definitions of Reconciliation - Simple definition Reforming relationships ‘Reforming’ can cover both ‘re-forming’ relationships (ie re-establishing a good relationship that went bad) and ‘reforming’ ie changing and transforming a relationship that has always been bad. Dynamics of Reconciliation — Week 2 David Tombs

5 Definitions of Reconciliation - Fuller definition Restoring and transforming relationships that have been harmed by conflict, so that they reflect a shared humanity and seek a shared future based on truth, justice, mercy and peace. Dynamics of Reconciliation — Week 2 David Tombs

6 Definitions of Reconciliation - IDEA Handbook [Reconciliation is] ‘a process through which society moves from a divided past to shared future’. From David Bloomfield et al., (eds) Reconciliation After Violent Conflict: A Handbook (Stockholm: IDEA, 2003), p. 12. Dynamics of Reconciliation — Week 2 David Tombs

7 Definitions of Reconciliation - John Paul Lederach ‘Reconciliation can thus be understood as both a focus and a locus. As a perspective, it is built on and oriented toward the relational aspects of a conflict. As a social phenomenon, reconciliation represents a space, a place or location of encounter, where parties to a conflict meet.’ John Paul Lederach, Building Peace: Sustainable Reconciliation in Divided Societies (Washington: USIP, 1997), p. 30. Dynamics of Reconciliation — Week 2 David Tombs

8 Definitions of Reconciliation - Byron Bland ‘reconciliation is ultimately about learning to live together again’ Byron Bland, ‘The Post-Troubles Trouble: The Politics of Reconciliation in Northern Ireland’ (unpublished paper). Dynamics of Reconciliation — Week 2 David Tombs

9 Definitions of Reconciliation - Democratic Dialogue ‘Our working hypothesis is that reconciliation is a necessary process following conflict. However, we believe it is a voluntary act and cannot be imposed. It involves five interwoven and related strands: Dynamics of Reconciliation — Week 2 David Tombs

10 Definitions of Reconciliation - Democratic Dialogue developing a shared vision of an interdependent and fair society; acknowledging and dealing with the past; building positive relationships; significant cultural and attitudinal change; substantial social, economic and political change.’ Brandon Hamber and Gráinne Kelly, A Place for Reconciliation? Conflict and Locality in Northern Ireland (Democratic Dialogue Report 18. Belfast: September, 2005, p. 49. See also Appendix D (p. 90). Dynamics of Reconciliation — Week 2 David Tombs

11 Reconciliation at different levels Personal  Small Scale (Micro) Group  Medium Scale (Meso) Structural and Societal  Large Scale (Macro) Dynamics of Reconciliation — Week 2 David Tombs

12 The Personal Level Personal conflicts arising from: Psychological tensions  Intra-personal Tensions between individuals  Inter-personal Dynamics of Reconciliation — Week 2 David Tombs

13 The Group Level Group conflicts arising from: Tensions within the family and wider kin Tensions between friends Tensions between colleagues and/or fellow workers Tensions within local communities Tensions within voluntary organisations Dynamics of Reconciliation — Week 2 David Tombs

14 The Structural and Societal Level Structural and societal conflicts arising from: Ethnicity and race Religion Political values National identities Economic classes Dynamics of Reconciliation — Week 2 David Tombs

15 Overlapping levels in a conflict Large-scale social conflicts often involve most, or even all, of the structural factors indicated above. Likewise, it is very rare for small scale conflicts to occur without any large scale context or vice-versa. Any serious attempt at reconciliation is therefore likely to need to address both structures and people. Dynamics of Reconciliation — Week 2 David Tombs

16 Some conceptual clarifications - Reconciliation as both goal and process ‘Reconciliation is both a goal and a process’ Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa, Truth and Reconciliation Report (Cape Town: Juta and Co, 1998; London: Macmillan, 1999), I, p Dynamics of Reconciliation — Week 2 David Tombs

17 Some conceptual clarifications - Reconciliation as multi-dimensional Reconciliation is attentive to Behaviour and actions Attitudes, intentions and values Organisations/institutions/structures Dynamics of Reconciliation — Week 2 David Tombs

18 Some conceptual clarifications - Reconciliation as a spectrum Minimal Moderate Maximal Dynamics of Reconciliation — Week 2 David Tombs

19 Some conceptual clarifications - A spectrum for personal reconciliation For individuals in the aftermath of personal conflict Minimal: Able to attend the same events Moderate: Willingness to speak together and/or work together Maximal: Positively valuing others and enjoying relations with them Dynamics of Reconciliation — Week 2 David Tombs

20 Some conceptual clarifications - A spectrum for societal reconciliation For societies in the aftermath of collective conflict Minimal: Acceptance of Co-existence Moderate: Mutual Co-operation Maximal: Positive Commitment to Sharing Society Dynamics of Reconciliation — Week 2 David Tombs