What is it about?
The use of conflict resolution (i.e. mediation, restorative justice or facilitated dialogue) can bring significant opportunities to community development practice. Conflict resolution can help strengthen the capacity of disadvantaged groups to voice their needs, make decisions and promote social change. However, conflict resolution can also undermine core values of community development. This article considers the limitations of using conflict resolution within community development practice and explores potential solutions.
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Why is it important?
Strategies of conflict resolution are increasingly popular amongst community development practitioners. However, little attention has been given to the potential limitations of using conflict resolution in community development settings. If critics of conflict resolution are right, those working within community development have particular reason to be concerned given the characteristics of their field.
Perspectives
Conflict resolution can be an amazing empowering tool but it can also bring significant limitations. I hope this article helps inform the use of conflict resolution within community development settings.
Cristina Asenjo Palma
University of Edinburgh
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Conflict resolution in community development: Are the benefits worth the costs?, Critical Social Policy, June 2018, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/0261018318780162.
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