Conflict resolution in intercultural perspective

Conflicts form a part of our everyday life and our ability to deal with them in a constructive and reflective way largely influences the possibility to build healthy relations with each other. This affects our personal life as well as our success in the professional field as interactions at the workplace provide major sources of conflicts. Apart from the individual level, a lack of conflict resolution strategies also threatens the coherence of society. This is especially relevant due to the fact that we face an increasing diversification of modern societies, which demands the competence of young people to deal with differences in norms, values and ways of living and the conflicts that may arise from it. Taking this context into account the TC “Conflict resolution in intercultural perspective” addresses the need of a broader, more advanced conflict resolution competence of young people by equipping youth workers and youth leaders with the necessary skills to help their target groups to develop it. A special thematic focus will be put on an intercultural perspective on conflict resolution, exploring the potential of western and non-western cultural traditions regarding their understanding of conflicts and solution strategies. This not only provides the opportunity to have a diversification of solutions to choose from but at the same time will help young people to value the richness of cultural traditions as an inspirational source for solving current problems. The participants of the TC will afterwards be able to use their acquired knowledge, skills and new tools in their work, to help youngsters to solve or prevent conflicts in a more constructive way and to have more peaceful and successful personal and professional life.