Conflict Management in International Missions: A Field Guide

Citation

Jennifer F. Wood (2016), "Conflict Management in International Missions: A Field Guide", International Journal of Conflict Management, Vol. 27 No. 1, pp. 140-142. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCMA-08-2015-0057

A foundational goal of most missions includes mobilizing individuals to serve others. Thus, mobilization often includes serving in a field different than one’s own home location. Whether mobilized as an individual or as an individual serving on a short-term team or a long-term team, each individual has the potential of facing conflict while on an assignment. Thus, Olav Ofstad, an independent researcher and consultant in the field of conflict management, humanitarian assistance and development, has written a field guide designed to increase an individual’s awareness, knowledge and skills related to conflict management. The book, Conflict Management in International Missions: A Field Guide, is written for international personnel. However, Ofstad states that “[…] anyone interested in expanding their perspectives and knowledge of conflict management should benefit from reading it” (p. 11).

The book is one of the 14 books in the Security and Conflict Management series published by Routledge. The aim of the book is to fill a gap between practitioners and academia in the field of conflict management and peacebuilding. Ofstad argues that “few practitioners have studied conflict management, and few academics have experience as field workers” (p. 1). Thus, he has written a book that contains academic research, case study examples and practical guidance to aid individuals in relating to real-time challenges in the mission field.

As this book is designed for the novice, practitioner without academic knowledge, and academic with little to no field experience, it begins immediately with a chapter titled, What you should know about conflicts. Chapter 1 is designed to introduce readers to the basics related to conflict and conflict management. It begins with simply answering the question “What is conflict?” This includes a discussion about some of the ways in which international conflicts are categorized. Other key terms defined within this chapter include interests, needs, antagonisms, escalation, expansion, positive outcomes; conflict resolution, conflict transformation, reconciliation, peacekeeping, peacemaking, peacebuilding, statebuilding and nationbuilding. The chapter also provides a section focused on conflict and communication – both content and form. The author argues that in relation to content “our arguments and suggestions must be engaging and attractive enough to arouse interest, and the messages we forward must be sufficiently interesting for the recipient to want a dialogue” (p. 9). At the same time, “communication must have a form that complies with the needs of the parties, not least their needs for respect, understanding and appreciation […]” (p. 9). The chapter ends with a suggested reference list of books on different conflict-related aspects.

As a field guide, a significant feature is the information contained in Chapter 2, titled Preparing for missions. It begins with examining personal qualifications including professional demands, personal motives, allegiances and responsibilities, and job descriptions and plans of actions. Next, there is a strong emphasis placed on local knowledge. The author provides a strong argument that “peacebuilding, conflict resolution, humanitarian emergency missions and development aid are all about influencing reality, and a good grip on the reality we want to influence is essential” (p. 21). By using the peacebuilding efforts in East Timor as a case study, a strong emphasis is also placed on an individual’s responsibility of understanding the history of conflicts. Other areas of understanding include:

• becoming acquainted with international instruments, norms and principles related to one’s mission;

• seeking information and informants at home and in the field;

• grasping the culture, ethnicity, religious practice, gender and traditions; and

• committing to matching enthusiasm with realism.

The strength of this chapter is the number of posed questions to challenge an individual. This thought-provoking and guidance-filled chapter provides a backdrop for the next chapter.

Chapter 3, titled Establishing yourself in the field, offers very practical advice to an individual. It is important to acknowledge that a key element in the field is the individual. Thus, the author’s focus on helping the individual to be recognized or have validity in the field is to be commended. The author strategically looks at several angles including an individual’s responsibility to make sure that no resource person is associated with conflicts in ways that could harm their respect or integrity (p. 29). Individuals are encouraged through this chapter to:

• assess the lectures and seminars available;

• define their role by developing a personal strategy;

• define what kind of peace;

• establish local contacts including the types of interaction and co-operation with security forces; and

• pre-think the use of interpreters.

The reflective nature of this content can help an individual assess their readiness for the mission field.

One of the major processes associated with conflict management is mediation. Thus, Chapter 4, Mediation, is designed to walk an individual through several aspects of the process. The author successfully provides details about the procedures and the principles related to mediation. As an impartial facilitator, an individual can feel confident that this field guide chapter will provide them with advice on:

• recognizing the parties and stakeholders involved;

• meeting the parties separately; and

• deciding on a form of resolution – interest-based, position-based, objective criteria and others.

In addition, the practical advice in this chapter will walk an individual through the introductory phase, the parties’ presentations, all the way to drawing up an agreement. The author also highly encourages an individual to follow the implementation and also conduct appropriate follow-ups including “praise for the parties’ efforts and positive feedback, not only on achievements but on any attempt at positive change” (p. 56).

Even though mediators will vary steps appropriate to specific circumstances, there are times when mediation is not possible. Thus, the author provides practical advice on other approaches grounded in a foundational perspective that conflict management is not just about limiting the negative and increasing the positive but to encourage peacebuilding. Therefore, the book provides a substantial focus on peacebuilding, including some context tools uncommon in conflict literature. For example, in Chapter 5, titled Influence: psychology versus traditional approaches, readers will find a discussion focused on the use of psychological influence for resolution of third-party conflicts versus traditional means of influence. In the following chapter, titled Peacebuilding, the author offers an introduction to the different aspects and challenges of peacebuilding and discusses practices that need development (p. 2). It also suggests that a comprehensive multi-sector conflict analysis become the basis of peacebuilding plans. These two Chapters – 5 and 6 – span 98 pages of the 185-page book. The author’s goal is to both transform social psychology research into practical tools for peace (p. 10) and provide readers with concrete advice on a broad range of peacebuilding challenges, be it at a macro or micro level (p. 11).

The final chapter of the book turns back to the home court. Specifically, Chapter 7, When you or your agency becomes party to a conflict, “presents the challenge of agencies and persons being party to a conflict, including security perspectives” (p. 2). Thus, the author argues that the content in the book also has relevance for our own conflicts (p. 158). Therefore, the chapter contains both an example of a personal conflict and a conflict as a representative of an agency.

Overall, Ofstad achieves the prime intention of the book, which he states as: “to serve as a guide for preparations for missions, settlement in the field and handling of any conflict-related challenges you may face, including the multifaceted challenges of peacebuilding” (p. 172). The content will serve as a useful field guide for first-timers or veterans dealing with pre-conflict peacebuilding, conflict or post-conflict peacebuilding.

About the reviewer

Jennifer F. Wood (PhD, Bowling Green State University) is currently an Associate Professor in the Communication and Theatre Department at Millersville University of Pennsylvania. Her areas of expertise include business and professional communication, organizational communication, communication management, pedagogy, media writing and public relations. She is the 2015 recipient of the University’s Educator of the Year Award.