The interviews provide the core data for the case studies, providing opportunity for the participants to reflect on their own experiences of family conflict and the impact CCMT KASH had on how they engaged that conflict. Interviews lasted 3-4 hours and were designed to elicit information relevant to each of the study's objectives. Similarly, the role plays provided an opportunity for direct observation of the possible ways participants apply the skills and strategies in a relevant conflict scenario.
Focus Group Discussions
Focus groups comprised of Peace Bridges staff members familiar with CCMT KASH met after each interview and role play to discuss the data collected. These discussions further identified KASH used in reported stories and role play experiences, as well as indicating needs for further growth in use of CCMT KASH. Additionally, these groups provided greater knowledge of cultural trends and common attitudes reflected in the conflicts described by the interviewed peacebuilders.
Rapid Assessment Survey
Description. The survey was written by Peace Bridges' staff members and distributed during a graduation ceremony celebrating the completion of long-term training. The 89 respondents were all connected by interest, training, or organizational partnership to Peace Bridges. 43 respondents had completed Conflict Counseling and Mediation Training, the long-term peace education training offered to community peacebuilders.
Limitations. The survey was mainly limited by its focus on premarital counseling, a decision reflecting the interests of staff at the time. While much of the content is still relevant, some questions cannot be applied outside of that focus. For instance, while 40% of the respondents indicated that their church/organization does NOT provide premarital counseling, we do not know if they provide any other program related to supporting healthy family development. We also do not know if respondents received relevant training that was not specifically addressing premarital counseling (e.g., 39% indicated attending a workshop/seminar for premarital counseling, but no options for gender mainstreaming, healthy sexuality, etc. were given).
A second limitation is that the respondents were mainly from Christian churches and organizations. It is not possible to generalize their perceptions outside of this community.
Conflict Counseling and Mediation Training Lesson Plans
Conflict Counseling and Mediation Training (CCMT) consists of two parts (A and B), as well as an additional unit for Training of Trainers relevant to adult-learning methodologies. Training is not only participant centered, but also includes the use of role plays, reflection journals and homework.
Part A focuses on foundational peacebuilding concepts and skills, including:
- Judeo-Christian theology of peace
- active listening skills
- understanding forgiveness
- causes of conflict (identity, perception, stereotyping, prejudices and discrimination)
- responses to conflict
- introduction to rational emotive therapy
- understanding and uses of power
- transforming anger
- review and practice of foundational skills from Part A, especially active listening
- conflict analysis and case assessment
- the mediation process
- issues identification
- options generation and evaluation
- agreements and follow-up
- sustainable reconciliation practices
The evaluation included 43 stories of significant change for participants of the CCMT program. Although many of these stories were relevant to increasing conflict management skills and transforming attitudes, we included for analysis only those stories that involved family conflict. (n1)
Another reason for their inclusion is that, unlike the stories told during case interviews, sharing them does not breach confidentiality with participants.
***Notes1) Please see Patty Curran, An Evaluation of Peace Bridges (26 March 2009), stories of significant change numbers 2, 7, 8, 15, 19, 26, 32, 33, 37, 39, and 43. Available HERE.
