  Last week, we had a mediation process around a conflict within our core team. Conflict is inevitable in relationship and community, it can be a healthy part of the cycle of change, destruction and recreation. It signals that something isn’t working, increases awareness of difficult dynamics, and can create space for finding solutions. The process meant speaking honestly about challenges, traumas and the way we impact each other. Something we aren’t always encouraged to do in English society which values politeness, indirectness and a ‘stiff upper list’ above radical honesty. Though the weight of our emotions sometimes made it hard, we said what we needed to say & heard what needed to be heard. Moving away from a culture which is obsessed with rightness, we explored differing realities and shared ones. It was powerful. It also hurt. Thankfully, we were blessed with a guide, Sophie Docker (Open Edge), who freely shared her time and expertise with us, holding the process gently and compassionately. LiC is committed to exploring healthy ways to deal with conflict. At the start of this year, we spent a weekend with mediator Paul Kahawatte (Navigate) to develop our conflict resolution systems. You can check out what we came up with here. Learning to use these systems takes practice, and bravery to step into spaces that feel uncomfortable or scary. But we know that this is important work. We know that valuing conflict encourages an environment where change is seen and welcomed, and in that way, it is an important part of creating strong, resilient communities. Read more about restorative circles here: www.restorativecircles.org More on Open Edge: www.openedge.org.uk Navigate : www.navigate.org.uk
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