How to break the cycle of conflict

In this episode, David Couzens, Tearfund's Peacebuilding Lead talks about breaking the cycle of conflict and building lasting peace in local communities. David shares insights, stories, and practical steps for reconciliation and emphasises the importance of recognising shared humanity and addressing hidden hurts.

• Realising our shared humanity:It is easy to dehumanise others, instead of seeing each other as fellow human beings. Reflecting on our shared humanity involves taking ownership for one’s own contribution to conflicts, recognising personal flaws and seeking to understand the experience of those on the other side.

• Communicate hidden hurts: David shares a powerful story of a woman from a Christian community in north Nigeria who realised that she shared similar traumatic experiences to a woman from a different faith community. Their shared common experiences made her realise they were not enemies, and they were able to reconcile. Successful reconciliation involves fostering open communication, bringing hidden hurts into the open, and creating a safe space for dialogue. Sharing personal experiences helps break down walls and build understanding between conflicting parties.

• Accountability and forgiveness
  David acknowledges the complexity of integrating justice into the reconciliation process, particularly the delicate balance of accountability and forgiveness. It is crucial for individuals to own mistakes and to find a way to hold each other accountable without further damaging relationships.