Peacebuilding Map

Peacebuilding is an umbrella term that relates to actions that bring closure to conflict, as distinct from actions that occur after a peace agreement is signed. For more detail on Conflict & Peace Building map, refer to the D4P Manual pg. 61-64.

1. Ask the participants (in small groups) to select a conflict that was solved or that is in the process of being solved. If they cannot readily come up with one, suggest to them a familiar conflict and ask them to analyse it, by asking questions such as: How did this conflict escalate? When did it start to de-escalate? What were the roles of identities, perceptions and resources at various stages of this conflict? How was the conflict solved? What were the conditions that helped the conflict to be resolved and/or transformed?
2. On the wall or on the floor, a pyramid is drawn with all words deleted/boxes drawn to fill in. The facilitators introduce the theme of conflict and scenarios when conflict happens. They explain that conflict occurs and happens in stages, as seen on the pyramid.
3. The facilitator hands out the different words, one per person, on the left side of the pyramid, up to the point of conflict. The facilitator encourages participants to discuss what these words mean and consider any example they have of this word or a situation.
4. Each person then shares their word and what they think this means - the facilitators will need to elaborate on the words or clarify meaning where necessary.
5. Then as a whole group, the participants are encouraged to stick the words in the right order on the left side, starting from the bottom to the top of the pyramid.
6. Once the order is correct, following debate and discussion, the facilitator explains this order and gives an example.

• Give a simple, relatable example. Maybe a situation that happened with a family member or at work.
• Ask them to think of and discuss in small groups an example in their life or local community

7. This is then all repeated with the word on the right-hand side of the pyramid - the conflict resolution
8. Again, following the correct order, then explain this order and continue to explore their example.
9. The idea is that the participants can see how conflict can occur in both large, obvious ways and also how this happens in their own contexts.
10. Now ask the group to consider where the dialogue would be most effective (below conflict and agreement)
    - Having a firm understanding of what creates conflict and where dialogue can be effective to solve or reduce conflict is important.

Please refer to the Learning Objectives above for each age group when explaining, facilitating, and recapping this activity. Select the questions relevant to the age group and their objectives.

1. Do you think conflict is always negative?
2. Why do you think dialogue is most effective and helps reduce misunderstanding at this point on the map?
3. Think about the peacebuilding map, how might you choose to behave differently?
4. Can you think of problems in your community caused by the lack of dialogue? 
5. Do you think it is necessary to go through all the steps in the pyramid?

As the adult leader, you should also encourage other reflection and questions based on your knowledge, experience and desired objectives