The Power of Reconciliation by Justin Welby

Author:Justin Welby [Welby, Justin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Religion, Inspirational, Philosophy, Christianity, General, Political Science, Peace, Ethics, Business & Economics, Business Ethics, Self-Help, Political Ideologies
ISBN: 9781399402965
Google: gNdcEAAAQBAJ
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Published: 2022-06-09T21:32:49+00:00

Of course, Barchester is not part of the Church of England or any other church group at all, and any appearance of similarity to any diocese outside the nineteenth-century books of Anthony Trollope is purely coincidental. In addition, this is very simplified. Most people would see it differently.

The aim of the RAM is that, before meeting, the principal foreseeable risks are set out and there is an analysis of which party or which outsider will be most influential for good or ill and how that risk will be faced. Who can handle the consequences, who cannot? The RAM can be made more and more complicated but is best kept to the point where it does not give answers but does ask the central questions about how to manage the risk of meeting. There can be a lead RAM that summarizes and there can be sub-matrices for different areas. Actions to be taken can be added. It is a flexible tool.

Mitigating risk involves developing resilience among those involved in the dispute, so that the process is not toppled over by a setback. Resilience will come from the moral imagination, from relationships and from developing a sense of hope. It is above all a question of confidence and the facilitation team must all be as one in expressing publicly the expectation that there is a way forward, however difficult.

Risk is also mitigated by the way meetings are set up. I remember missing this point some years ago and arriving at a meeting to address the claims of a group that they had been left out. The meeting was conducted in the normal way (a serious error) and the unhappy group were sat on one side and told they should only speak if spoken to. The whole set-up confirmed that they were being left out and it was a serious setback.

Generous hospitality and humility by the hosts is essential. As was written in Chapter 2, remember the body. Adequate ventilation, clear sight-lines, a space for the acoustics so that everyone can hear easily, suitable food, and comfortable chairs that do not encourage sleep will all help. If people have travelled, give them time to recover. Beautiful surroundings, good music, a regular timetable that is kept to, and a capacity to be in touch with others will quieten nerves. If the conflict is centred in a place of different faiths, make equal room for prayer, contemplation and silence for all, in a way that is appropriate to them. Do everything you can to respect the different faith communities’ habits or dietary rules. Care for the details. That shows love.

Above all, do not spring surprises. People will need to know exactly what to expect, from the largest to the smallest aspect.

The next chapter will bring in some of the absolute essential values in peacebuilding, most importantly truth and justice.

Summary

• Creating a fork in a road that otherwise leads only towards deepening hatred and further confrontation requires the moral imagination of which Lederach writes so powerfully.

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