Aguidetoconflictresolution,orastheauthorprefers,“conflicttransformation“thatemphasizestheimportanceofbuildingrelationshipsandsocialstructuresthrougharadicalrespectforhumanrightsandlife.Thisclearlyarticulatedstatementoffersahopefulandworkableapproachtoconflict--thateternallybeleagueringhumansituation.JohnPaulLederachisinternationallyrecognizedforhisbreakthroughthinkingandactionrelatedtoconflictonalllevels--person-to-person,factionswithincommunities,warringnations.Heexploreswhy“conflicttransformation“ismoreappropriatethan“conflictresolution“or“management.“Butherefusestobedrawnintoimpracticalidealism.Topicsinclude:DefiningConflictTransformationConflictandChangeConnectingResolutionandTransformationCreatingaMapofConflictDevelopingOurCapacitiesAndmuchmore!FirmlyrootedinfaithandMennoniteteachings,andrelatedtothepopularconceptofrestorativejustice,conflicttransformationisanideawithadeepreach.Itspractice,saysLederach,requires“bothsolutionsandsocialchange.“Itasksnotsimply“Howdoweendsomethingnotdesired?“but“Howdoweendsomethingdestructiveandbuildsomethingdesired?“Howdowedealwiththeimmediatecrisis,aswellasthelong-termsituation?Whatdisciplinesmakesuchthinkingandpracticespossible?ThistitleispartofTheLittleBooksofJusticeandPeacebuildingseries.
