Understanding the Pluralistic Objectives of Conflict Resolution Interventions in Northern Ireland

Abstract

Once we get past global objectives such as bringing an end to the overt conflict or reaching a constitutional agreement between groups, the specific goals of ethnic conflict management involves articulating many details concerning day to day relations. In this chapter and in the two that follow, we see that interveners must pay attention to people’s daily lives. There is no doubt that the people directing the small-scale projects described in this book believe they are contributing to the settlement of the larger conflict. However, it is especially important to recognize that the main focus of their attention is not on when such an overall political agreement can be reached or what it will contain. Rather, they focus on the difference they can make in their local communities or with the small groups of people with whom they are working.