Roots of conflict within inner city life: A Jamaican perspective.

Source: (2010) Paper presented at the IIRP 13th World Conference in Hull, UK, 13-15 October.

In my presentation today I will try to answer the question “Why are
some inner cities prone to conflict?” by examining the findings of
my empirical study on a Jamaican inner city community. Why did I do
this study? I did it as a basis for my Master’s thesis and at the
suggestion of the Dispute Resolution Foundation of Jamaica which
wanted local material with which to use in devising management
systems for the several categories of conflict surfacing and causing
grief to the nation. I identified twelve (12) main roots of conflict in
three (3) areas of community life – Living Conditions, Education and
Personal Security and the extent of the influence of the historical
past. I will examine one of the roots of conflict through the lens of the
Social Discipline Window. I will also share with you a resident’s story
and how her challenges can be accommodated in the WITH box of
the Organizational Change Window and what has been done so far in
the community and in Jamaica.(excerpt0