Managed Intergroup Contact In Peace-building And Reconciliation
and approachable the members of the other group were and found that
they had a lot more in common than previously expected (Observation
and Video Transcripts, Ballykinlar Contact Workshop 1, 25 May 2013).
The MCT approach seeks to develop this interpersonal relationship first,
then build upon the already established connections to change overall
community attitudes. The first joint (or contact) workshop is also designed to elicit similarities first between individuals and create links
based on shared personal interests. As Frances McLernon and Ed Cairns
argue, forgiveness emerges more naturally when people get to know and
like each other, which is what the FACE workshops aim to do (McLernon
et al 2004: 589; Tam et al 2007: 125). By dispelling myths and encouraging a better understanding of each other, the managed contact process
helps individuals to focus on commonalities and the benefits of working
together for a shared future. These individual relationships can then be
extended to inter-group relationships and views.
Ultimately, intergroup forgiveness breaks down group-wide resentment
towards a segment of a society. In post-conflict societies like Northern
Ireland, opportunities should be provided for people to deal with their
grievances and anger, as they hold the potential to derail the peace process and stand in the way of forgiveness and reconciliation (Tam et al
2007: 133). Furthermore, deep engagement - such as the one proposed by
the MCT approach employed by the FACE project - can help people see
the humanity in each other by addressing prior hurt, pain, and violence
and replace negative misconceptions with new, positive relationships.
The Role of Trust in Reconciliation
Opposing groups in post-conflict societies will nevertheless find it difficult to begin the process of forgiveness if there is a lack of trust in the
sincerity of efforts to move on beyond violence on the part of their counterparts. This can lead to further segregation and a strengthened desire
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