Intercultural on the mind...

Continuing with the topic of Intercultural Conflict Resolution, I have Lederach on my mind. Lederach is a peace studies scholar that has a lot to say regarding the understanding a use of culture in the models that are currently used in the world of conflict resolution. One of the things that he talks about is the idea of using the culture as the base for which to base the principles of conflict resolution. Instead of taking the principles and then tailoring them to the culture, you would take the culture and see how the principles can fit into that culture, based on the ideas and cultural understandings of peace that are already in existence within that culture. I love this idea. I also love the idea of Intercultural conflict resolution because in my opinion, we are always dealing with other cultures, and every interaction that we have is one of at least two cultures coming together at a moment in time to have a conversation or an interaction.

With this in mind, I am hoping to continue to better understand the Latino Culture and see how the principles of conflict resolution can then be implemented into the existing cultural understandings of peace and conflict resolution. Obviously as a "gringo" there is only so much that I am able to do, and so much that I can learn without having grown up in the culture, but that WILL NOT prevent me from trying to know and learn as much as possible... because, let's face it, I love la gente latina and I always will. Ideally we will create a program that will be operated by Latinos, which will fill a gap that I may be unable to fill, which is why it is so critical that I do all I can now to prepare the way and make the transition a positive one and a smoother one.

Another term... continuing to learn

Another term, another few internship credits and another great opportunity to continue my learning on peace and conflict resolution. Before talking about some of the things I hope to learn this next term, I would like to reflect a little on the last term and what it meant to me. As I think back upon the work that we were doing last term, I can't help but get excited about the world of conflict resolution, and especially the world of cross-cultural conflict resolution (also known as Intercultural Conflict Resolution). For me it's not the idea that everyone would be hippies and singing kumbaya, or leaving their pantry open for whoever happens to stop by the home; rather, the idea of peace for me is knowing that I don't have to worry when I go outside with my family, and knowing that those around me are cared for on all fundamental levels (emotionally, mentally, cognitively, physically, spiritually). Animosity toward those around would be diminished, and we would work with each other to meet our different interests. The idea of peace is something that every person and every culture define differently. Isn't there a way that we can begin to understand the meaning of peace to others? I don't mean, or want, that every person would have the same definition, but more that a desire to meet the needs of peace that people have would be something that everyone wants (hopefully that makes sense). Obviously, the idea of peace is something that I have had on my mind lately, and continue to understand how I would define it for myself... still working through this one.

In looking at how this would play out in other cultures is something that interests me, and is something that I hope to understand more about through the continuation of this internship. I know and feel that there is a balance for cultures to use methodology of other cultures in the search for peace (mediation methods as practiced in the U.S., and the Latino Culture). It seems like this is a good place to start for the next term.