Conflict tree

Adapt this tool for your context and use it to help people understand conflicts better and find lasting solutions.

Example

Imagine a situation where floods and landslides have caused hundreds of people to move from the countryside to an already crowded informal settlement on the edge of a city. 

As the pressure on available space and resources grows, arguments break out between the original residents and the newcomers, with threats of violence on both sides.

The local church invites representatives from both groups to meet to talk about the conflict. A facilitator encourages them to work together to answer the discussion questions below.

During the process of answering these questions, the group draws a conflict tree to help them understand the situation better. As they do this, they realise that if the root causes of the conflict are not addressed, then it will be difficult for them to find a lasting solution. 

They also realise that everyone wants the same thing – a safe and comfortable place to live – and that their disagreements are making the situation worse.

Based on this understanding, they agree to start working together to resolve the problem. As a starting point, they send a letter to the local government asking for practical support, and the host community offers to provide temporary accommodation for new arrivals.