Conflict and differences when addressed and acknowledged constructively, offer opportunities for change and innovation. Human interactions becomes destructive when differences and conflict are not recognized, addressed or is approached negatively, violently, inappropriately and ineffectively. Destructive human interactions can be prevented. The program believes that everyone in the university community must have effective human relations processes and skills to prevent destructive interactions. These processes and skills are targeted at developing intercultural competency and addressing conflict at the lowest level possible rather than waiting for intervention at an escalated level.
Effective communication is fundamental to effective human relations .
Skilled communication is a component of developing intercultural competency in which people are comfortable with and effective at interacting with others in an intercultural learning and work environment. Effective communication processes and skills are also necessary components of creating a climate that supports and encourages the coexistence of similarity and difference in difficult dialogue about key issues while respecting people's dignity and humanity. Mutual respect is a requirement for working with differences and finding commonalties when addressing conflict and human differences . Respect for everyone's dignity and humanity must be accorded to make a good faith commitment and establish a foundation towards addressing conflict differences. In addition, mutual respect requires that we honor wherever in the process of lifelong learning and change we perceive people may be in addressing conflict and differences and promote .