2014 David Leonard Creating a dialogue with the community - finding more about 'conflict'

Creating a dialogue with the community

– finding more about ‘conflict’

David Leonard - Manager Policy & Projects / Mediator

Dispute Settlement Centre Victoria

<2>

What do you see here?

<3>

Who is DSCV?

• DSCV is a free service provided by the Department of Justice

• Our Focus is assisting clients to manage conflict themselves

• We provide informal, impartial, accessible, free dispute resolution services

– Advice & coaching (Dispute Advice)

– Mediation / Facilitation

– Training & Workshops

• DSCV deal with a wide range of disputes between individuals and small or large groups

<4>

What is accessibility?

Removing language barriers using interpreters

Publishing information in a range of languages

Simple easy to use website

Connecting with community “gatekeepers’’

Making service culturally sensitive

Building confidence in the service /

Overcoming distrust in government

<5>

Who is on our radar?

CALD – established communities

Chinese, Italian, Greek

Newly Arrived Communities

Communities of Burma,

Sub Saharan, Middle Eastern

Indigenous Communities

Older Victorians

Socially Disadvantaged Community Groups

Anyone who has trouble going through the usual service networks

<6>

Challenge for DSCV

Do other people see “conflict”

the same way we see “conflict”

<7>

Assumptions about Conflict Resolution

Conflict management is a skill

We develop skills as we compete for resources

Emotions and behaviour are important

Good communication is important for resolution

Process and good structures help people exercise

their skills

http://blog.ninapaley.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/CultOfOriginality0011.png

<8>

Conflict Cards - Method

Used in workshops / engagement activities

Start dialogue about ‘conflict’

Ask groups to look at 50 ‘clipart’ images

As a group separate into Cause / Cure / Unknown

No ‘right’ or ‘wrong’

Group discussion

<9>

Communication:

Talking / not talking / smiling / mobile phone / social

media

<10>

Resources

Money, time, affection,

<11>

Behaviours

Expressing emotions: shouting, crying, thinking

<12>

Neighbourhood

Dogs, Stereo, Mowing, parking fines, car crash

<13>

Social Context

• Legal system, flags, queues, ballot box, alcohol,

<14>

Debriefing -

Are there any

patterns here?

<15>

Groups

• Community housing residents (1)

• Council (3)

• Koori services (2)

• Legal centres (2)

• Newly arrived community groups (2)

• Senior citizens (2)

• Volunteer / Club office bearers (2)

All Melbourne metropolitan area

Average group size 20 people

<16>

Most Common Cures

Newly Arrived Communities:

Indigenous Groups:

Mixed / non specific

<17>

Most popular Causes?

Newly Arrived Communities:

Indigenous Groups:

Mixed / non specific

<18>

Most hotly debated items

Newly Arrived Communities:

Indigenous Groups:

Mixed / non specific

<19>

Further Elaboration..

• Flags – All flags or just some flags?

• Facebook –

• Alcohol – 2 drinks good / 3 drinks bad?

<20>

What can we take away

• Many similarities in responses, confirms some

assumptions (about conflict)

• Experience of conflict is not uniform

Inward Focus Vs External focus

View of Conflict as part of broader social process Vs

contained disputes between individuals

• This is just a starting point

<21>

Where to from here?

Here are some outcomes we have heard from various community groups:

Increased accessibility of DSCV services to community –

Improved / culturally sensitive ADR services

Capacity Building / Dispute prevention within Community

Community building opportunities

<22>

Contact DSCV

• Freecall 1300 372 888

• Email: [email protected]

• Web: www.disputes.vic.gov.au