Addressing Deep-Rooted Conflict: Guidelines Harvested from the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, Republic of Ireland by Megan Jeanne Jerke B.A., University of Lethbridge 2003 A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF ARTS IN DISPUTE RESOLUTION In the Department of Human and Social Development/School of Public Administration © Megan Jeanne Jerke, 2008 University of Victoria All rights reserved. This thesis may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopy or other means, without the permission of the author. ISBN:978-0-494-47351-1 ii Addressing Deep-Rooted Conflict: Guidelines Harvested from the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, Republic of Ireland by Megan Jeanne Jerke B.A., University of Lethbridge 2003 Supervisory Committee Prof. Maureen Maloney, Co-Supervisor and Departmental Member Director, Institute for Dispute Resolution Eamon Rafter, Co-Supervisor Associate Member, Faculty of Graduate Studies Dr. Lyn Davis Senior Instructor, Studies in Policy and Practice Program iii Supervisory Committee Prof. Maureen Maloney, Co-Supervisor and Departmental Member Director, Dispute Resolution Eamon Rafter, Co-Supervisor Associate Member, Faculty of Graduate Studies Dr. Lyn Davis Senior Instructor, Studies in Policy and Practice Program ABSTRACT This exploratory qualitative case study provides a description of the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation’s practice in addressing deep-rooted conflict, from the Republic of Ireland. This research grew out of practical problems from the field of conflict resolution in Canada, in particular interest-based mediation, in addressing deep-rooted conflict. Using an extended epistemology, data is harvested from praxis to create naturalistic generalizations: guidelines for addressing deep-rooted conflict. The research findings are the result of a synthesis of three data sources: interviews with facilitators from Glencree, textual data, and nearly five months of onsite observation. The main themes derived from the research include: Glencree’s Diverse Practice; Glencree’s Approach to Conflict; Glencree’s Identity; Glencree’s Approach to Deep-Rooted Conflict; and Implementing Glencree’s Approach. This study is intended as a snapshot in time of a set of dynamic and emergent ideas addressing conflict in practice. Through an inductive research design, findings from praxis are related to theory from the field of conflict resolution. In addition, implications for addressing deep-rooted conflict are identified, including Glencree’s emphasis on the need for flexibility as a characteristic for conflict work, and an underlying worldview incorporating aspects of dynamic systems theory and chaos theory. iv Table of Contents Supervisory Committee ii Abstract iii Table of Contents iv List of Figures vii Acknowledgments viii Dedication ix Epigraph x Chapter One: Introduction 1 Aim of the Study 6 Research Question 6 Summary of the Study 6 Significance of the Study 10 Limitations and Delimitations 11 Thesis Outline 11 Chapter Two: Contextualizing Glencree and Situating Myself 13 Deep-Rooted Conflict: Northern Ireland 13 Conflict Analysis 17 The Northern Ireland Peace Process 21 The Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation 22 Northern Ireland’s Peace Process Today 23 Situating Myself 25 In Relation to Glencree 25 In Relation to my Graduate Studies 29 Chapter Three: Conceptual Understanding of the Issue to be Explored 32 Mediation, the Legal System, and Interest-Based Mediation 33 Interest-Based Mediation and Deep-Rooted Conflict 38 Situating the Research Question 41 The Transformative Approach 42 Conflicts and Disputes 43 Conceptual Understanding of Glencree 46 Chapter Four: Research Design - Methodology and Strategies of Inquiry 48 Research Philosophy: Foundations and Disciplines 49 Methodology and Research Form 52 Research Question 56 v Implementation of Methodology 57 Ethical Considerations 58 My Role as Researcher 61 Strategies of Inquiry: Methods of Data Gathering and Analysis 64 Interviews 65 Interview Format 68 Onsite Observation and Textual Data 70 Analysis 75 Validation of Findings 79 Research Reflections 81 Chapter Five: Research Findings and Data Synthesis 83 Glencree’s Diverse Practice 85 Facilitators at Glencree 85 Glencree’s Work 89 Glencree’s Approach to Conflict 90 Understanding of Conflict 90 Ways to Address Conflict 93 Glencree’s Identity 96 Inclusivity 97 Acceptance 98 Creating an Atmosphere for Peacebuilding 99 Challenges 101 Glencree’s Approach to Deep-Rooted Conflict 104 Creating a Space for Peacebuilding 104 Addressing Emotion 106 Evolving and Adaptable Process 108 Dangers of Limitation 110 Successes in Addressing Deep-Rooted Conflict 111 Some Lessons Learned in Cultivating Peace 113 Implementing Glencree’s Approach 115 Designing Conflict Approaches 115 Facilitating the Broader Peace Process 118 The Role of the Conflict Worker 120 Guidelines for Addressing Deep-Rooted Conflict 122 A Toolkit for Addressing Deep-Rooted Conflict 129 vi Chapter Six: Implications and Conclusions from the Research 133 Glencree and the Literature 134 Glencree and Géis 139 Glencree’s Worldview 141 Implications for Addressing Deep-Rooted Conflict 146 Future Research 153 Conclusion 156 Epilogue 159 Bibliography 161 Appendix I Definition of Terms 168 Appendix II Consent Form Template 170 Appendix III Consent Form Template for Co-Ownership 173 of the Interview Data Appendix IV Letter of Information Template 174 Appendix V Interview Protocol 177 Appendix VI Programme Agenda: L.I.V.E. Programme Weekend 179 Appendix VII Programme Agenda: Glencree Sustainable Peace Network 181 & “We Too Have Suffered” Introductory Weekend Appendix VIII Guidelines for Addressing Deep-Rooted Conflict 182 vii List of Figures Image 1.1 South Africa’s Societal Structure During Apartheid Image 1.2 Northern Ireland’s Societal Structure During the Troubles Image 1.3 Protestant/Unionist/Loyalist Mural Image 1.4 Catholic/Nationalist/Republican Mural Image 1.5 Culture and Identity Image 1.6 Glencree’s Structure Image 1.7 The Conflict Bell-Curve Image 1.8 Glencree’s Canada Room viii Acknowledgements A number of people deserve recognition for the contribution they made to this thesis. Without their web of support, I would not have been able to complete this study because of its intensive nature, both in terms of onsite immersion and my connection to the topic. I have been incredibly privileged to work with the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation in the Republic of Ireland intermittently over the past five years. Both being able to carry out my dream research with them, and the fact that Glencree hosted me onsite during my data collection, graciously providing room and board, have cemented my respect and gratitude. Without the academic guidance of the MADR program at the University of Victoria, I would still be searching for the words to articulate my experiences. My thanks to my Supervisory Committee for assisting me in delivering my dream. Thanks to Eamon Rafter and Maureen Maloney for their mentorship and guidance; for being examples of the possibilities for this vocation; for ongoing perspective, humour, and recognition. Thanks also to Lyn Davis for helping to nurture me through the early stages of research design, and igniting excitement about methodology. My graduate studies support structure has been incredibly important. Thanks to Lois Pegg for everything from humouring my thousand administrative questions to driving me to the Airport Shuttle, and always being there for a chat and a hug. Thanks to Heather Chestnutt for in depth discussions about the feasibility of theses, and how to “just get it done.” Thanks to my friend and external auditor from anthropology, Alix Little – if I had not been able to commiserate about the thesis experience with you, I may have started to think it was only me. Also, my MADR graduate studies colleagues, Lise, Judy, Brandy, Emmy, Emma, Janel, Patrick, Eric, Pearl, and Trevor. Thanks for answering my questions, and for the unending collaboration on scholarships, and research topics. Thanks to my aunt and uncle, Ashe and Derek Redman, for inspiring me to follow the path to Glencree, for enthusiastic support throughout this MA, and for maintaining faith in my capability to do this research. Thanks to everyone in the Glencree community for your support during my research, but a special thanks to Shane, Courtney, Krystal, Meg, Trish, Mira, and Ken. Ongoing technical support was much appreciated – thanks to my good friend Claire McGeorge for her artistic skills; B.J. Basque and Judy Waterhouse for professional transcription assistance; and Cindee Nyrose for lending her insightful editing assistance. Thanks also to Gordon Sloan and Eric Fast for including me in the colloquium that gave me a path to make this research meaningful in Canada. A final acknowledgement to the Department of National Defence in Canada for awarding me with a 2007/08 scholarship to carry out this research – without this financial support, this research would not have been feasible. ix Dedication This thesis is only a small part of a bigger picture, as we all are… I dedicate this thesis to my parents, Rodney and Corrine Jerke, and to my sisters, Hannah and Lauren Jerke. They have given me the gifts of confidence and awareness, without which I would have been unable to find Glencree. Thanks a million for your support. x Géis - Irish Gaelic (Pronounced gasa; exists in plural form only) (medieval classic origins) In legends, the hero may be held