A World of Possibilities:Conflict Resolution Education Around the GlobeSeptember 4th and 5th, 2006Near East UniversityNicosia, Cyprus

Presented by Tricia S. Jones, Ph.D.Dept. of Psychological Studies in EducationTemple UniversityPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, USA tsjones@temple.edutel/fax: 215-204-7261/6013

Conflict Resolution Education: , Models, Relationships to other Fields

Defining CREConflict 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 CRECRE programs include a variety of efforts which share various emphases:An understanding of conflictSocial, emotional and cognitive processes related to constructive conflict management principles of conflict resolutionprocess steps in problem solvingskills required to use each of the steps effectively

CRE Program ModelsMediation program approachPeer mediation, stand alone program Process curriculum approachSpecific curriculum of conflict content, like Workable Peace, PYNPeaceable classroom approachWhole classroom methodology, curriculum infusionPeaceable school approachComprehensive 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 Educations Safe and Drug Free Schools Office. The work of the Center concluded on January 31, 2006; many of its products can be found at www.k12coordinator.org and on www.ed.gov.

Goals of CRE Enhance Students Social and Emotional DevelopmentCreate a Safe Learning EnvironmentCreate a Constructive Learning EnvironmentCreate a Constructive Conflict Community

Enhance Students Social and Emotional Developmentincrease perspective-takingincrease empathyimprove emotional awareness and managementreduce aggressive orientations and hostile attributionsincrease use of constructive conflict behaviors

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

Create a Constructive Learning Environmentimprove school climateimprove teacher/administrator/student relationshipsincrease valuing of diversity and practice of tolerancepromote a respectful and caring environment

Create a Constructive Conflict Communityincrease parental and community involvementlink school CRE with larger commuity CRE effortsdevelop more peaceful/peaceable school community

Content of CREEssential Skills and Abilitiesorientation abilitiesperception abilitiesemotional abilitiescommunication abilitiescreative-thinking abilitiescritical thinking abilities

CRE Program ModelsProcess curriculum approachMediation program approachPeaceable classroom approachPeaceable school approach

Discussion Question

Relationship of CRE to Other FieldsSocial and EmotionalLearningViolence PreventionAnti-BiasEducationLaw-RelatedEducationConflict Resolution EducationPeace andJustice Studies

Violence PreventionVP is more limited in scopeVP tends to focus more on systemic causes of violence than CREVP emphasizes policy change while CRE emphasizes individual skill building and community educationVP programs usually focus on structural and equipment interventionsVP programs more linked with risk behaviors/ substance abuse, sexual activity

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

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

Law-Related Education LRE explores the foundations and processes of law and legal institutionsLRE 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 conflictPE and Justice Studies are usually more concerned with societal level change processes necessary to avoid destructive conflictPE and Justice Studies often take a strongly transformative approach rather than a skills-development or interpersonal relationship emphasis