Conflict management

Conflict management

By developing improved tools, methods and human capacity, FAO Forestry Department seeks to improve the management of conflicts that arise over the use of natural resources. FAO supports a participatory approach through partnerships that aim to engage all stakeholders, from policy-makers to local communities, in creating an environment where all participants can negotiate as equal partners.

Competition for using and controlling forest natural resources is steadily increasing, and natural resource conflicts are the direct result of the pressures from population growth and diversity of interests among user groups. In a context of current trends towards democratization, decentralization and devolution of authority, communities now have both greater need for and more opportunity to participate in natural resource management. Disagreement over access rights, lack of consensus on management objectives and insufficient information are likely to occur in situations where an array of stakeholders utilize and manage natural resources.

If conflicts are not properly managed, they seriously affect both natural resource management and the livelihoods of people who depend directly upon them for survival. Vulnerable groups such as women, indigenous peoples and the landless are especially at risk in conflict situations, since they often lack the means or capacity to defend their interests effectively. It is therefore critical to build the capacity of stakeholders to manage conflict proactively in order to promote sustainable and equitable livelihoods.

Current activities at FAO are specifically directed toward conflict management practitioners and community-based organizations. The goal is to enable and support local communities and rural organizations by developing effective conflict management strategies and practices by

• developing new tools and skills for conflict management;
• supporting the implementation of those new tools through training;
• supporting and strengthening the institutional capacity of training organizations and centres; and
• supporting the exchange of experiences between community-based organizations, non-government organizations (NGOs) and government organizations involved in conflict management and training.

Methods and tools: training material development

Tools and methods to promote innovative participatory skills and strategies have been developed in close collaboration with the Forest, Trees and People Programme (FTPP). Training materials developed in partnership with FTPP include methods and tools such as stakeholder and conflict analysis, negotiation and mediation exercises, field interventions and case studies. Training in conflict management practices will provide community members, community-based and training organizations, government organizations and NGO staff with the skills necessary to work effectively with multiple interest groups.