By Brave Dickson
An international non-governmental organization known as Search For Common Ground (SFCG) with headquarters in USA has begun a 3-day workshop in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital with the theme: “Transformative Dialogue Training And Peace Architecture Dialogue.
Speaking on: “How to explore one’s multi facets identities as well as understanding how identity can be used to transform conflict,” the Rivers State Coordinator of SFCG, Mr Cosmos Dinee described human identity as powerful.
Mr Dinee said: “Violent conflict often blinds us from seeing our common identities,” adding that, “these shared identities are often related to our fundamental values and aspirations even if the inherited or biological aspect of our identity is different.”
According to him: “People have multiple identities that they display or hide, depending on the situation. Some of these are inherited, others are chosen. Identity is a fundamental human need.”
The state coordinator of SFCG also maintained that the common ground approach seeks to create an environment where collaboration becomes possible, saying that, “this starts with building trust as it enables parties in conflict to dialogue.”
While dispensing knowledge on the topic: “Adversarial Vs Collaborative Approach,” the Project Manager, Mr Cletus Ilugo said collaborative approach does not attack the parties in conflict but attacks only the issues in conflict.
He said: “Understanding the perception of the parties in conflict does help to achieve a win-win target,” stressing that collaborative approach is possible but takes long time to meet mutual resolution.
“We need collaborative approach because parties in conflict use to be related in one way or the other. Agitation may not be the right approach because it could be dangerous before it gets to sustainable peace.”
Mr Ilugo also urged participants to be empathic and not sympathetic saying that the former focuses on the solution which is more important than pitying the situation.
Speaking on the sideline, the State Director, National Orientation Agency, Barr Young Ayotamuno; the Public Relations Officer, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Rivers State Command, Mr Emmanuel Ogbumgbada; and the Deputy National Secretary, Pan Niger Delta Forum, Hon Ken Robinson all commended SFCG for initiating such intellectual project in order to bring lasting peace in the Niger Delta Region.
In their separate views, they said, “I commend SFCG on its offorts in promoting peace in Rivers State and Niger Delta as such will attract investors.
“I think the training is a welcome development. It will help equip us with strategies on how to resolve conflict before it results into violence.”
Our correspondent reports that the workshop was well attended by participants drawn from the traditional institutions, security agencies, the media, community leaderships, academic institutions, social political organisations and civil society organizations among others.
