A new paradigm will evoke new approaches to development work and conflict prevention. Citizens are political actors. Relationships are the fundamental concept guiding the new paradigm. Crucial to the new paradigm are processes of interaction. Relationships provide unique insight into how people interact and, when dissected, can be used as an operational tool to analyze conflicts.
Interactions are multi-level processes that change over time.
Fundamental to the successful evolution from adversarial to non-adversarial group interactions is indigenous ownership of the process. Processes of interaction must have established rules to enable individuals to interact peacefully. These rules, or techniques, cannot be dictated by outsiders. Through discussion, former adversaries develop a basic trust upon which they are able to build voluntary cooperation and a new future. The ability of feuding parties to sit and discuss their grievances enables the community to heal together and to put the past behind them.