Conflict Resolution in Cross Cultural Context

As a North American who wishes to make some sense of cross-cultural conflict resolution, I feel somewhat humbled and out of place. Even more so since the expectation is that I will be able to shed some sliver of light on a context with which you as an audience are intimately involved. I also speak from a set of experiences from yet another cultural context – namely Central America.

The primary scope of my work and experience has been at the micro-level; community level training projects have proven to be fairly helpful “reflections” of conflict resolution process and the dynamics involved in any such relational activity. My discussion of conflict resolution at a micro community level does not, by any means, promote it as the only approach, nor the most indicated in many situations. Considering the experience of working with people in Central America, however, we strongly consider it to be the first and most practical step to take…