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EMN Dimapur, July 23
Peace Channel in collaboration with Development Association of Nagaland (DAN) conducted a one-day seminar on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution at Tenephe village community hall on July 20. In his address, Rev. Fr. CP Anto, Director, Peace Channel, stressed on the importance of building the capacity of women to prevent further violent conflict in Nagaland.He introduced the participants to the basic concepts of conflict management terming it as “any effort/s made to contain violent conflict, reduce the levels of violence, or engage parties in a process to settle the conflict”. From this follows “Conflict Resolution” that addresses and resolves the deep-rooted sources of conflict, he stated. Stating that it often uses a problem solving methodology in order to identify options for addressing the sources of conflict, Rev Anto said a newer related term is conflict transformation. “Conflict Transformation that goes beyond the concept of conflict resolution in that it requires a transformation of the parties, their relationships to each other, and the structural elements that underlie the conflict,” he added. These relationships and social structures are often unjust and unequal, and transforming conflict seeks to alter these structures in ways that build a more just society. It is a term that implies a long-term perspective on conflict and its transformation. He also spoke about the understanding of Peace Building. He said peace building represents a way to achieve societal reconciliation. It is important to note that peace building is a very widely used term, one that differs according to who uses the term and in what context it is used. It is people-centered, relationship-building, and participatory process. Peace building occurs either before violent conflict erupts (a preventive measure), or after violent conflict ends (en effort to rebuild a more peaceful society). He also spoke about the types of conflict and different methods of conflict resolution. The practical session on dialogue and conflict resolution was conducted by Neli Neli Kriibve, PRO and the researcher of the movement. Rev. Sr. Sandra did the invocation while Kriebulie Peseyie, village chairman of Tenephe, welcomed the gathering. The participants said they had benefited from the information and skills they had no knowledge of earlier. They said the seminar has made them aware of their situation and expressed desire for more such exposures. They also felt such initiatives could help them develop strategies to build “peace bridges” amongst the conflicting groups through dialogue. Altogether 32 women leaders and village elders took part in the seminar.