Report on the workshop Advanced conflict management training for Civil society in Angola Luanda, Angola, 22-26 March 2004.
INTRODUCTION
PROFILE OF THE ORGANISERS
- African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes
- Development Workshop
- Angola 2000
KEY TRAINING OBSERVATIONS
- Conflict Analysis
- Negotiation
- Mediation
PARTICIPANT RESPONSES
CONCLUSION
ANNEXURES
- Training Programme
- Participant list
- Photo Gallery
INTRODUCTION
The African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD), in collaboration with
the Luanda-based Development Workshop and Angola 2000, hosted an Advanced Conflict Management
Training for Civil Society in Angola from 22-26 March 2004 in Luanda. The training focused on
further enhancing the skills developed in conflict analysis in the training workshop held
from 21-25 July 2003, by focusing on developing a deeper understanding of and skills in
negotiation and mediation. The participants were drawn from a cross-section of civil society.
The end of the war in Angola in April 2002 generated a number of opportunities and also revealed
a plethora of challenges. As the country seeks to take advantage of the new opportunities and
address the challenges in this post-conflict environment, so the various stakeholders take on
new roles and responsibilities for building peace and democracy in Angola. Thus, every effort
should be made to develop the capacity of key stakeholders to contribute to and facilitate peace
building and democratisation in Angola.
Civil society is one sector of the Angolan society, which requires capacity building in conflict
prevention and management skills, as well as institutional development. The emergence of civil
society in Angola is a relatively recent development. The space for civil society organisations
to grow in strength and number has gradually widened through the political and economic
liberalisation of the 1990's and the increasing demand for non-governmental organisations to
provide social services in the face of worsening humanitarian crisis. Over the last decade
civil society has proven itself capable of taking advantage of the gradual political openings and
has developed into a large and credible force in Angola.
Angolan civil society is an important actor in the peace building process, particularly in
managing conflict between communities and groups. As communities and groups are reintegrated,
the potential for conflict increases, and civil society is best placed to prevent and manage
this conflict. By developing their skills in conflict prevention and management, civil society
is strengthened to meet the peace building needs of Angola and to become effective vehicles for
preventive action.
It is with this in mind, that ACCORD focused on developing the capacity of civil society
organisations in Angola to become proactive vehicles for transforming conflict and building peace
in Angola. In working towards this goal, ACCORD partnered with the Luanda-based organisations,
Development Workshop and Angola 2000 to develop a strong partnership committed to building a
peaceful and democratic Angola.
The specific goals of the training were to:
- Enhance an understanding of the role of negotiation and mediation in conflict management,
resolution, and transformation;
- Develop skills as negotiators and mediators so that this core group may effectively
contribute to and facilitate the peace building process in Angola; and to
- Build the capacity of civil society to constructively and effectively engage other key
stakeholders as Angolan society works towards conflict transformation.
It is envisioned that this core group of individuals will use their skills in the furtherance
of peace in Angola and continue to work as effective and proactive conflict management practitioners.
PROFILE OF THE ORGANISERS
- African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes
ACCORD is a non-governmental conflict management organisation based in Durban, South Africa. ACCORD
was established in 1992 to impact on the process of negotiation and conflict resolution in South
Africa. We have since broadened our focus to include the wider African Continent, where we have
worked in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Malawi and Tanzania amongst others. Our work
on the Continent has included training members of political parties, government departments, civil
society, and communities in conflict resolution, developing policy options for the resolution of
conflicts, and mediating between conflicting parties. Within our Peacekeeping, Preventive Action,
Constitutionalism in Africa, Public Sector, Burundi, and Tertiary Institutions Programmes, we
train different sectors in conflict resolution strategy, methods, and systems.
ACCORD's work in Angola since 2002 has been under the auspices of the Preventive Action Programme.
The Programme focuses on developing the capacity of civil society organisations to initiate and
manage efforts to prevent disputes from developing into violent conflict; prevent existing disputes
from escalating; and where conflicts are resolved, to prevent them from re-occurring. In short, the
Programme focuses on developing the capacity of civil society to become effective vehicles for
preventive action. The first activity in Angola under this Programme was a workshop entitled,
Building Peace in Angola: Civil Society and Conflict Prevention, which was held in Luanda from
22-25 July 2003. The workshop was an initial training in conflict analysis and negotiation,
focusing on a group of civil society representatives. This follow-up workshop was held to
consolidate the skills in conflict management, particularly mediation, of this core group of
individuals.
- Development Workshop
- Angola 2000
KEY TRAINING OBSERVATIONS
The training was conducted over five days and was lead by Mr. Jerome Sachane, Director of
Mediation and Communication at ACCORD. Mr. Sachane was facilitated by Ms Britt de Klerk,
Programme Officer of the Preventive Action Programme, and Eugénia Fafetine, a conflict
management trainer for ACCORD from Mozambique.
The advanced training consisted of three main sessions, namely conflict analysis,
negotiation, and mediation. The training included case studies and role-plays and participants
were encouraged throughout the training to share their experiences in conflict and conflict
resolution.
The participants were drawn from a cross-section of civil society organisations including
women's organisations, faith institutions, human rights and development organisations,
youth organisations, and organisations dealing with traditional leaders and justice issues.
Further, although most of the participants currently resided in Luanda, they came from various
parts of Angola including Huile, Lubango, Mulange, Uige, Benguela, Cuanza Norte, Bie and Huambo.
Participants' Organisational Profile
During the opening stages of the workshop, participants were asked what they had done with the
skills they gained from the first workshop. Responses included positive intervention in family,
work and community disputes where they facilitated either the management or resolution of the
conflict.
The participants all expressed their pleasure at this follow-up training and indicated that for
the most part they had used the skills developed in the last training; however, they felt that
this training would further enhance and consolidate their conflict prevention and management
skills.
Following the welcome and introductions to the training, a brief silence was observed for
Vasco Rafael Chipuca who had participated in the first training in July 2003. Vasco was
remembered for his astute comments, wisdom, and passion for his country.
“I used these skills in resolving disputes at work.”
“I used the material in preparing a speech on human rights and conflict management at a workshop.”
“I used the skills to solve a conflict between two friends.”
“I have been using these skills to help people in all our activities.”
“I used my skills to resolve disputes between vendors and the government and matrimonial disputes
in my community.”
“I helped to resolve a dispute between family members.”
- Comments by participants on how they have used their conflict management skills since the
training in July 2003.
Conflict Analysis
The first session was a one-day refresher in basic conflict management, emphasising conflict
analysis and the circle of conflict. This section provoked many debates as the participants
grappled with the notions of genuine (or root causes of conflict) and escalating conflict,
and debated how value, information, relationship, interest, and structural conflicts should
be categorised.
During this session, many personal experiences were shared as to how they analysed and dealt
with the conflict. Further, the conflict in Angola was regularly analysed according to the
various tools for analysis, which were discussed during the training.
Much discussion focused on the issue of how to prevent a crisis and the role of civil society in
preventing a conflict situation from escalating and becoming a crisis situation. Participants
noted that it was not always easy to detect the deterioration of a situation such that an
intervention to avoid a conflict or crisis can occur. Further, the decision to intervene to
prevent, manage or resolve a conflict is not an easy one as the negotiator or mediator may be
placed at risk or it may be assumed that a better opportunity to intervene will arise at a later
stage.
It was clear that since the first training, the participants had internalised conflict analysis,
and had in fact been using these skills in various conflict situations they had been involved in.
Through sharing various case studies we were all afforded interesting opportunities to analyse
conflict in practical contexts and learn more about the various conflict scenarios individuals
and groups in Angola (and elsewhere) are faced with.
Negotiation
The second session of the advanced training concentrated on developing skills in communication
and negotiation. Discussions ensued about failed negotiations in Angola, as well as various
successful and unsuccessful negotiation experiences in communities and families. These
experiences were assessed to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the negotiations and
lessons learned extracted.
The participants appeared to have a much more in-depth understanding of negotiation since
the first training, and it was indeed encouraging to hear of them using their negotiation
skills to deal with disputes and conflicts they were faced with.
Mediation
The session on mediation was the primary focus of the training. Particular emphasis was
placed on the conditions for mediation, role of the mediator, and the process of mediation.
The role play in mediation was a very interesting and rewarding aspect of the training. The
participants assumed their roles completely and convincingly and adopted various bargaining
styles and strategies, clearly presenting their interests and positions. The mediators were
excellent in their presentation and facilitation. Indeed, the enthusiasm and knowledge
displayed in the role-play clearly indicated that the participants had internalised and
understood negotiation and mediation, and were using the skills comfortably and confidently.
“ O çue nos une é maior do çue aquilo çue nos separa.”
“What brings us together is bigger than what separates us.”
- A saying presented by the mediator in the role-play.
The training closed on the debriefing of the mediation role play and through the lead trainer's
comments and those of the participants it was evident that this training had consolidated the
objectives of the first training, and that this group of individuals were willing and ready to
contribute their skills to peace building in Angola.
PARTICIPANT RESPONSES
The participants also stressed the value such a training has for Angola in the furtherance of
peace and democracy in their country. They also expressed the necessity of further using the
skills they have developed in these two training workshops. To this end, the participants
prepared a pledge, which acknowledged their commitment to the importance of utilising these
conflict management skills.
ADVANCED CONFLICT MANAGEMENT TRAINING PLEDGE OF GRATITUDE AND COMMITMENT
His Excellency, Ambassador of South Africa
Distinguished Guests
Distinguished representatives form ACCORD
Excellent representatives from Angola 2000 and Development Workshop
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen Angola is progressing in the consolidation of peace, national
reconciliation, and its democratic process. Within this context, Angola is facing new
opportunities and challenges, when it comes to the rehabilitation and physical and moral
reconstruction of the country.
We, participants of this Advanced Conflict Management Training, recognise the initiative of
ACCORD and its partners, Development Workshop and Angola 2000, and we would like to ask you to
kindly accept our sincerest gratitude.
We have been given skills in mediation and negotiation in conflict management and we therefore
feel that we are able to effectively contribute to building peace in Angola.
In completing this training, we commit ourselves to continue to disseminate all over the country
the knowledge we have learnt, through coordination with ACCORD and its partners in Angola.
We, as participants, honour our commitment and ask for ACCORD to remain with us and assume a
responsibility to help us recover our social and moral values by giving moral, material and
financial support so that we can continue to transfer these skills and experiences. Therefore,
by signing this declaration, we commit ourselves to doing everything to maximize the knowledge
acquired.
Best wishes to ACCORD, the facilitators, the interpreter, and all those that have contributed to
the success of this training.
Luanda, 26th of March 2004
CONCLUSION
The training has provided for the development of a core group of conflict management
practitioners, which, if carefully coordinated, would have a positive role to play in building
peace in Angola, whether in the family, in communities, at work or between groups and
organisations. Their enthusiasm and willingness to share and utilise the skills learnt is
encouraging and an important conflict management resource for Angola.
The partners recognise the importance of building the capacity of key stakeholders to become
vehicles for preventive action and thus this group of conflict management practitioners is an
important step in contributing to peace building in Angola.
ANNEXURE A:
TRAINING PROGRAMME (pdf)
ANNEXURE B:
PARTICIPANTS' LIST (pdf)
ANNEXURE C:
PHOTO GALLERY
back to top
|
