How can opposing groups move beyond their differences to develop a shared agenda for building peace? This chapter from the Handbook of Conflict Analysis and Resolution discusses an example in which Greek and Turkish Cypriots collaborated to develop a shared strategy for civil society peacebuilding. Structured dialogue supported the development of ‘relational empathy’ between them, allowing new understanding to emerge and creative approaches to be developed.
Armed conflict in Cyprus resulted in both geographical and ethnic division. Over twenty years on, a group of fifteen Turkish Cypriots and fifteen Greek Cypriots set out to develop a collaborative peacebuilding strategy. The work of this group demonstrates how relational empathy can be built in a protracted conflict situation through an interactive design process. Relational empathy emphasises the co-creation of meaning in a group setting. The interactive design process (‘interactive management’) helps groups deal with complex issues by integrating contributions from individuals with diverse views, backgrounds and perspectives. The theory behind this process draws on both behavioural and cognitive science.
During a series of workshops, the peacebuilding group in Cyprus identified obstacles to peacebuilding and created a shared vision statement and a collaborative action agenda. There were several stages to this work:
- In separate sessions for Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, participants analysed the situation surrounding their peacebuilding efforts in Cyprus. They used interactive techniques to identify obstacles and examine how they related to one another.
- After developing their own vision statements, the two groups met to exchange their goals and construct a collective vision statement.
- Further joint sessions focused on developing activities, programmes and other initiatives that could help make the vision a reality.
- As a final step, the group organised a gathering and invited over 100 individuals interested in peacebuilding. Projects emerging from this event were led by members of the core group.
A number of principles inform this approach to building relational empathy:
- Promoting dynamic and relational understandings: focus on an ongoing process of learning rather than on seeking ‘truth’
- Bridging differences: incorporate differences into agreements, because focusing only on similarities risks continuation of conflict if differences are not addressed
- Integrating cognition and emotion: expression of negative feelings should be allowed, without it becoming a primary focus for the group
- Building a context for joint action: a clear view of the systematic context is very important
- Synthesis of horizons: rather than seeking an unsustainable middle ground which requires that one or both parties ‘give in’, parties can create new alternatives that often meet the needs of both sides
While interactive design processes can play an important role in promoting relational empathy, this is only one of many variables. The patience, commitment and communication skills of participants in Cyprus also contributed to success.
- Creating shared understandings and collaborative peacebuilding within a group may have limited effects outside that group in terms of changing societal perceptions. There are no guarantees that ideas will filter up to decision-makers.
- Dialogue events are only one part of the equation for bringing peace to protracted conflicts. Other issues include the culture and nature of the group, the context of the conflict and the potential for impact.
- Dialogue is crucial and does not generally happen on its own. Structured processes are usually necessary.
- A shift of focus away from the individual towards communication within the dialogue setting could help the development of new methodologies. This would involve less emphasis on the skills of mediators and facilitators and more attention to helping groups create shared agendas.
