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Conflicts can be recreated in the form of 'frozen pictures'. By making
special assignments, they can clarify 'standpoints' and perceptions. A
whole conflict can be ‘staged’ here or individual scenes elaborated.
Example: clarifying the power relationship in a conflict
A sheet of paper on which
the conflict is formulated is placed on the floor in the middle of a
seminar room. The strength of influence of specific people, institutions
and so on is now expressed graphically through their standpoint to the
conflict (sheet of paper).
For instance, this can take place by all the participants openly
expressing their opinion on the task (question) set by the seminar leader
"what is your estimation of the strength of influence of conflicting
party A?": "very large" signifies close to the conflict
symbol, far removed is signified by "small", or
"non-existent".
This allows the participants to express themselves in turn concerning
important individual questions. The respective standpoints are then
detailed. |
Questioning the Frozen Pictures
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Who are
the parties to the conflict |
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What is
the scene about? |
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How far
advanced are the dynamics of the conflict? |
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What
roles do the various groups play? |
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How does the 'audience' behave?
Will they intervene? |
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How could the situation be
alleviated? |
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Which
people could play a central role in this |
Besides
direct participants, other parties may be indirectly involved in the
conflict depending on its type:
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Social
surroundings (for instance family, relations, acquaintances) |
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General
public (for instance press, radio, television) |
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Support
(groups, organizations... |
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Beneficiaries to the conflict...) |
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Influential personalities
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