CCCRTE

Abkhazia conflict resolution training workshop

by Anna Matveeva

This workshop was the first of its kind in Abkhazia. The participants were chosen with no prior experience of training or international involvement. They included journalists, NGO activists, environmentalists, teachers, representatives of the Youth Foundation, students and academics. The choice of participants, therefore, helped to expand the constituency of people in Abkhazia with conflict resolution skills.

Topics covered during the workshop included:

Personal skills and self-awareness

The participants examined themes such as: helps and hindrances in conflict; active listening; assertive speaking (including possible styles of expressions such as passive, aggressive and assertive); coping with anger; and questions of identity.

Preparation for action and confrontation

The participants explored the different stages of conflict and talked about the stage at which they perceive the Georgian/Abkhaz conflict to currently lie and the issues relating to the conflict. This laid the foundations for the group to establish what the problems are and what constructive work could be carried out to address these problems.

The participants identified the following as issues for analysis and discussion:

psychological rehabilitation, overcoming of stereotypes and the healing process;
the gap between the leadership and the people and issues related to the development of civil society;
economic crises and blockades and the need for reconstruction; - the return of refugees;
the effects of social isolation and problems of lack of information and education;
the need for a resolution of the relations between Georgia and Abkhazia;
human rights in Abkhazia.

Problem-solving and conflict resolution

Participants were introduced to models for conflict analysis and the construction of strategies for action which they then practised in groups of four. The concept of mediation and the role of a mediator, as well as the essential qualities required for this job, were discussed and the participants then acted out mediation role plays.

Problem-solving and Rebuilding

The participants undertook a brainstorming session on the current problems of Abkhaz society. Since the break up of the Soviet Union, Abkhazia has experienced enormous change in its social and economic infrastructure and development.

The participants identified the following specific problems:

information and economic blockades;
unemployment/lack of occupation and poor education;
general instability and an uncertaint future;
deterioration of health care;
social rehabilitation after the war;
widespread crime -- especially among young people;
an absence of monitoring of job markets.

These topics were analysed in-depth and strategies for dealing with them were planned by the participants in small working groups. The groups reported their analyses and suggestions for future actions in a plenary session. Time was also spent on the exploration of issues of identity, stereotypes and prejudices in personal behaviour and how these aspects of identity contribute to conflicts.

Action choices, coalitions and organisation

The last major element of the workshop was capacity-building training. The participants practiced identifying problems from within complex situations and explored how to translate their analyses into action. They were also invited to identify concrete projects to help address the problems discussed and analysed the previous day.

These concrete projects included the organisation of self-help for young people in rural areas where they live (the example given was the Gulripsh region); the creation of a centre for social rehabilitation; the foundation of a new secondary school and the establishment of a newspaper for young people.

On the last day, participants addressed the topics which had arisen during the workshop but which they had not had time to address fully. These included: ingredients for healing inter-group relations after the conflict; action planning and preparation; preparation of proposals for funding; team skills; and facilitation skills.

For the latter topic, the participants split into two groups to facilitate the planning of a public meeting and then analysed their work.

Ann Mateeva is IA's FSU Project Officer

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