1)<\/strong>\u00a0 People who actually use the water were the major negotiators in \u201cThe Agreement”<\/p>\n2)<\/strong> The Agreement is a living document that will adapt to stakeholder needs and changing conditions over time<\/p>\nKlamath Basin groups will have to work together for years to come<\/p>\n
Why Learn Conflict Resolution Skills?<\/h4>\n\n- When people deal with issues that are important to them, they often end up shouting at each other<\/li>\n
- For conflict anywhere, in families, schools, or communities, experts have come up with ways to help resolve problems<\/li>\n
- The following guidelines help people attack the problem instead of each other<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Nine Principles of Conflict Resolution Adapted from US Navy\u2019s \u201cPrinciples of Conflict Resolution\u201d<\/h4>\n
1. Think Before Reacting<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- The tendency in a conflict situation is to react immediately.<\/li>\n
- In order to resolve conflict successfully it is important to think before we react \u2013 consider the options and weigh the possibilities<\/li>\n
- The same reaction is not appropriate for every conflict<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
2. Listen Actively<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Active listening means listening not only to words but also to what is said by intonation and body language<\/li>\n
- Active listening also involves letting the speaker know that he or she has been heard. For example, “What I heard you say is\u2026”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
3. Assure a Fair Process<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- It is important to be fair to all parties to the conflict<\/li>\n
- Even the appearance of unfairness can destroy the resolution<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
4. Attack the Problem<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- When emotions, are high it is much easier to begin attacking the person on the other side than it is to solve the problem<\/li>\n
- The only way conflicts get resolved is when we attack the problem and not each other<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
5. Accept Responsibility<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Attempting to place blame only creates resentment and anger that heightens any existing conflict<\/li>\n
- In order to resolve a conflict we must accept our share of the responsibility and eliminate the concept of blame<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
6. Use Direct Communication<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Say what you mean and mean what you say. Avoid talking around a problem<\/li>\n
- The best way to accomplish this is to use “I-Messages\u201c<\/li>\n
- With an “I-Message” you express your own wants, needs or concerns to the listener<\/li>\n
- “I-Messages” are clear and non-threatening ways of telling others what you want and how you feel<\/li>\n
- A \u201cYou-message” blames or criticizes the listener. It suggests that she or he is at fault<\/li>\n
- I-Message (what I feel and need) You-Message (usually blaming)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Tribes and Fishermen<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- I fear the fish will die and I will lose my livelihood and way of life. I want enough water for fish to survive<\/li>\n
- You don\u2019t care about fish and you just want water for your farm<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Farmers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- I fear losing my farm and my way of life. I want water to plant crops and stay in business<\/li>\n
- You don\u2019t care if farms survive. You just care about the fish<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
7. Look for Common Interests<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- If we are going to resolve conflict successfully, we must uncover why we want something and what is really important about the issue in conflict<\/li>\n
- Remember to look for the true interests of all the parties to the conflict<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
8. Focus on the Future<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- In order to understand the conflict it is important to understand the different points of view including the history of the conflict<\/li>\n
- However, to resolve the conflict we must focus on the future and what we want to do differently tomorrow<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
9. Options for Mutual Gain<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Look for ways to assure that we are all better off tomorrow than we are today<\/li>\n
- Our gain at the expense of someone else only prolongs conflict and prevents resolution<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n