CONFLICT AND PEACE
Editorial by Alice Keen
We all experience conflict in our lives. Whether it is within our families, with colleagues or neighbours, there are times when we disagree with others. Disputes can have many causes, including land, natural resources, water, political power or religion. Some have suggested that the 21st century will see more and more conflict as more people compete over scarce resources and share the same space.
In this issue we focus on situations where conflict has become violent because people are trying to resolve conflict by using force. This always has a destructive effect. Many Footsteps readers live in places which have seen conflict become violent, some for a short time, others for decades. We know that this is a topic which is often ‘close to home’.
But Jesus calls us to be peacemakers in a world where there is conflict. This is no easy task. There are deep questions and challenges. In violent conflicts, what does it mean to seek peace?
Contributors from the DRC, Honduras, Northern Ireland and Kenya begin to answer that question in their articles. They share ways to seek peace and resolve conflicts before they become violent. There are also practical tools to help you to analyse conflicts (ABC of conflict analysis, Conflict map) and to facilitate dialogue (Practical skills: facilitating dialogue).
The next issue will look at ways to gather local resources. If you have any topics you would like to see covered in future Footsteps or you would like to write a letter to share with other readers, please write to us at the usual address.
May peace be with you.
Please find below articles from Footsteps issue 92 in html.
To download a pdf version of Footsteps issue 92, please click here (PDF 2 MB).