Conflict Resolution II. Agriculture Education Instructor:

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What to do : when there is conflicting information about an Issue What to do : when there is conflicting information about an Issue FIRST OFF: Approach problems as if they are an opportunity for everyone to learn together FIRST OFF: Approach problems as if they are an opportunity for everyone to learn together

THEN: Consult everyone involved in the issue about: THEN: Consult everyone involved in the issue about: Questions that need to be asked, Questions that need to be asked, Information that should be gathered, Information that should be gathered, Methods for data collection and analysis, Methods for data collection and analysis, Who would be trusted to conduct further investigation Who would be trusted to conduct further investigation Focus on information relevant to the decision, not on available information Focus on information relevant to the decision, not on available information Assume there may be more than one definition of the problem; use all definitions as a basis for inquiry and problem solving. Assume there may be more than one definition of the problem; use all definitions as a basis for inquiry and problem solving. Use vocabulary that everyone can understand. Use vocabulary that everyone can understand. Respect different types of knowledge and different ways of knowing. Respect different types of knowledge and different ways of knowing. Remember that science isn’t necessarily the underlying cause of the dispute –public opinion, values and morals play a huge role Remember that science isn’t necessarily the underlying cause of the dispute –public opinion, values and morals play a huge role

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Identify areas of agreement and disagreement, Identify areas of agreement and disagreement, This allows people to find common ground and begin resolving their conflicts. This allows people to find common ground and begin resolving their conflicts.

To begin reaching consensus, especially when different parties have conflicting information: To begin reaching consensus, especially when different parties have conflicting information: Convene workshops of experts – this creates a shared picture of what is and isn’t known — and what remains in dispute. Convene workshops of experts – this creates a shared picture of what is and isn’t known — and what remains in dispute. Provide open forums to discuss competing studies; identify similarities and differences Provide open forums to discuss competing studies; identify similarities and differences Form a technical working group to support policy discussions on an ongoing basis. Form a technical working group to support policy discussions on an ongoing basis. Invite a panel of experts, selected by the parties, to address questions in an interactive format Invite a panel of experts, selected by the parties, to address questions in an interactive format Explicitly list unanswered questions and make recommendations to appropriate individuals or organizations for future research. Explicitly list unanswered questions and make recommendations to appropriate individuals or organizations for future research.

Establish and Enforce Groundrules. Establish and Enforce Groundrules. Groundrules. Refer back to them if problems arise. Refer back to them if problems arise.

Promote Trust & Personal Relationships Promote Trust & Personal Relationships It’s harder to behave badly towards someone known as an individual than someone perceived merely as a symbol. It’s harder to behave badly towards someone known as an individual than someone perceived merely as a symbol. Have a meal together. Have a meal together. Learn something about one another personally. Learn something about one another personally.

Remind participants of their agreed-upon goals Remind participants of their agreed-upon goals Steer back towards these goals often. Steer back towards these goals often.

“Separate the People from the Problem“ (Getting to Yes, Fisher & Ury) “Separate the People from the Problem“ (Getting to Yes, Fisher & Ury) Focus on the issues Focus on the issues Focus on the interests underlying the issues Focus on the interests underlying the issues Look past the way the issues are raised. Look past the way the issues are raised.

Use humor Use humor Defuses tension Defuses tension Deflects attention from personality issues. Deflects attention from personality issues.

Identify Identify Why is the individual behaving in a difficult way? Why is the individual behaving in a difficult way? Address causes of behavior Address causes of behavior

 Privately Coach "problem" individuals  Teach them how to advance their interests through the process.

Discount the legitimacy of concerns Discount the legitimacy of concerns Let one or more individuals dominate. Let one or more individuals dominate. Everyone must have the opportunity to be heard Everyone must have the opportunity to be heard Everyone must have their concerns addressed Everyone must have their concerns addressedOR They will lose interest They will lose interest

3 Ways to ‘Get to’ and Implement an Agreement "Look, everyone here loves vanilla, right? So let's start there."

Putting an agreement into practice: Putting an agreement into practice: Secure an agreement Secure an agreement Create incentives for all sides to comply with the agreement Create incentives for all sides to comply with the agreement Establish ongoing communication between all parties Establish ongoing communication between all parties Hold parties to their commitments Hold parties to their commitments Anticipate unexpected future events Anticipate unexpected future events

Agreement Failure Happens for many reasons: Agreement Failure Happens for many reasons: Agreement was not technically feasible Agreement was not technically feasible Agreement was not institutionally feasible Agreement was not institutionally feasible Changes in circumstances Changes in circumstances Bad faith Bad faith Process did not involve all parties Process did not involve all parties New parties emerged New parties emerged Negotiators lacked the ability to hold parties to their commitments Negotiators lacked the ability to hold parties to their commitments

Satisfy the interests of all parties Satisfy the interests of all parties Ensure ALL key parties are at the table Ensure ALL key parties are at the table Create Continuing relationships Create Continuing relationships Be explicit about who does what, when Be explicit about who does what, when