Listen to us-we know the solution: mapping the perspectives of African communities for innovative conflict resolution

摘要

Inspired by the need to find lasting solutions to violent conflict, the author stated the research question by asking 'how can community knowledge be given a new centrality so that it can contribute to innovative conflict resolution?' In answering this question, the author argues that conflict mapping is a strong influential instrument not only for community research, but also to empower a community to deal with conflict, promote equity of discourse on all dimensions of a conflict, as well as to create a web of equal relationships among peace-builders to resolve conflicts. The conceptual framework addresses conflict mapping; the top-down/ bottom-up approach to conflict resolution and introduces the concept 'innovative conflict resolution. Examples of centralising community knowledge in some African societies are offered. The conceptual framework and examples from Africa are then applied to practical conflict mapping that was performed as part of a community engaged participatory research project with a San community in South Africa.