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Jasmine Vega
Professor Stephanie Preston
COMS 560
15 February 2018
Five Qualities of Practice in support of Reconciliation Processes
Reconciliation is an important element when dealing with conflict. Within conflict
resolution reconciliation is the process of forgiveness, and moving forward with whatever
conflict situation is being presented. In this article he discusses five qualities which one can
practice in support of reconciliation. It is suggested in the article that reconciliation is formed
within individuals and cannot be generally outlined, but rather individualized to a particular
person. We as individuals learn reconciliation through various religious frameworks, or through
individual and interpersonal processes. Lederach opens the article by reminiscing on his desire to
find a scholastic degree program in conflict and peace studies (Helmick & Petersen, 2001). As he
continues, he basically says that people are coming up short on their understanding of the
reconciliation process. However, he does acknowledge that most have a decent understanding of
the process, but believes there is a lot left to be desired. “My experiences suggest that while our
understandings are rich and varied; they are miniscule compared to the complexities posed by the
search for sustainable and authentic reconciliation between people” (Helmick & Petersen, 2001).
The first of the five qualities that Lederach according to Helmick & Petersen (2001),
talks about is reconciliation as relationship-centric. Lederach takes a step back from the small
components of the reconciliation process and chooses to look at relations as a whole and how
reconciliation takes place within relationships. The second of the five qualities is reconciliation
as accompaniment. The importance of accompaniment is placed on presence, shared common
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humanity, and sense of “along-sidedness” (p. 198). The third of the five qualities is reconciliation
and humility. Humility and reconciliation are connected. Humility is principally about
understanding one’s place and one’s humanity. The fourth of the five qualities is reconciliation:
restoring the fabric of community. It is talked about and understood as a highly personal and
interpersonal process (p. 200). The quality of practice that emerges from such a view is the
capacity to see complexity. Multiple emerges as interconnected in a greater whole but in need of
hands that keep them connected (p. 201). The last of the five qualities is reconciliation as a
wondering in a desert. As a quality of practice wandering in the desert point us toward two ideas.
“First, we should take seriously the idea that there is a need for personal and community
preparation, which can often take a great deal of time under less-ideal conditions, and which
needs the space to wonder across tough terrain”. “Second, we need to develop longer-term lenses
and commitments, both programmatically and institutionally on the part of those who wish to
accompany and support reconciliation (p. 202).
