Resolution, Peaceful Initiatives & Mediation: Ways to Resolving Conflict

Wise Skills

"Friendship with one self is all-important, because without it one cannot be friends with anyone else in the world."
- Eleanor Roosevelt

	Your character is defined by what you do, not what you say or believe.

	Every choice you make helps define the kind of person you are choosing to be.

	Good character requires doing the right thing, even when it is costly or risky.

	You don't have to take the worst behavior of others as a standard for yourself. You can choose to be better than that.

	What you do matters, and one person can make a big difference.

	The payoff for a good character is that it makes you a better person and it makes the world a better place.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION BASICS

WORKING IT OUT TOGETHER: The first step to bringing peace is to learn how to solve our everyday problems peacefully.

CONFLICTS HAPPEN: Conflicts are a normal part of life. How we deal with these conflicts can make a big difference. Often when people resolve conflicts, one person ends up a winner, and one loses out. This may solve the problem for the moment, but resentment and bad feelings can cause more problems later.

Tips to Remember -

Attack the problem not the person:

Define the problem

Explore each person's perception of the problem

Try to understand and respect each point of view without judging

Use good communication skills including:

	LISTENING
	SUMMARIZING
	CLARIFYING

Concentrate on interests, not positions

	The position is the outcome you are interested in getting
	The interest is why you want that outcome
	Interests that are involved in conflicts are usually related to our basic needs. When we focus on interests instead of positions we can start to find solutions.

Come up with options in which both sides can win (Win-Win options)

Cooperate together to solve the problem fairly

A fair solution respects the interests of both sides

For fun read

"The Eagle, an on-line peace story"

Other fun & useful resources:

	Conflict Resolution Activities for Elementary Students
	Get Your ANGRIES Out and Those Mads, Bads and Grumpies...
	Out on a Limb - A Guide to Getting Along Learn how to handle difficult situations and how to get along with others who see things differently. Work through problems with Maria, Cliff, Jim, and Ann and find the most effective ways of solving them.
	We Can Work It Out! COLORING PAGES

Click on any of the links below for more on the various topics:

COOPERATION	DEALING with DISAPPOINTMENT	CONTROLLING ANGER
BEING RESPONSIBLE	APPRECIATING YOURSELF	WORKING OUT CONFLICTS
DEALING with FEELINGS	ASKING for HELP	LISTENING to OTHERS
SAYING NO	BEING FRIENDS	BULLYING
DOING the RIGHT THING	RESOLVING CONFLICTS	PREJUDICE