Frequently asked questions
What does a facilitator do?
A facilitator 'makes things easy' - he or she helps groups of people to work together effectively and ensures that everyone can participate and contribute. The facilitator does not try to influence any outcomes or decisions, that is the remit of the participants. A facilitator is a 'process' expert, the participants are the content experts.
Why is conflict problematical?
Conflict is a natural process that may result from meeting of difference and from struggles for resources and/ or power. However, many people find conflict uncomfortable and the response to its presence may be one of denial or attack-defend rather than of constructive engagement. Conflict does not go away if ignored or denied - as long as its roots are intact, it will continue to grow and develop. As time passes, more and more people may get drawn in and the original reason for the conflict may get buried or obscured as each person brings their own issues and perspectives into the mix. What results is one almighty mess!
What is peacebuilding?
The absence of war and violence does not equate with presence of peace. Peacebuilding seeks to create the conditions for positive or active peace where conflict is managed constructively when it arises. It involves developing the structures, institutions and civil society processes that allow communities to engage with each other, address their differences, fears and needs and find ways of living constructively and productively together. If their shared past has been one of violence and war, then there is an additional requirement to deal with the past and find ways of moving forward to a better future.