purpose(s) identified. It is important that the mapping initiative does not become a process whereby “community meetings are held, local input is gathered, reports are produced, and top-down planning is maintained” Harris & Weiner (2002). There should then be: a formal adoption of the map by the village members and the headperson/VLC; a ratification of the village map by the Subsequent dissemination of the map and associated rules as a land use planning tool. The final map can also be printed on a sheet(s) at a suitable size, and laminated for durability. An alternative would be to print the map on waterproof canvas. It should then be made available for consultation via the mechanisms agreed in the original protocol. 5.3 Community Mapping of Land Resources in Practice 5.3.1 Village Walk Objective: Facilitators have a good introduction to a new Villagers explain their surroundings to the outside moderator. Facilitators know the place and understand the perceptions of the villagers Figure 5: Village Walk and Mapping Exercise by Women of Mulumbwa Village, Chief Monze Time required: 1 hour Procedure: Get introduced to the headman or village elders. Explain the procedure of your mission and its objectives. Ask for formal permission to do some exercises. Ask for some people willing to show you around the village and the fields. into small groups and start informal talks while being taken around. Let people talk and ask further questions. Find out which topics are relevant to the villages Materials: paper, pencils, stones, sticks etc. 5.3.2 Participatory Mapping of Land Resources Objectives:
Figure 10: Beyond the issues and beyond the symptoms in a conflict Sources of Conflict Facts: Are there conflicts over data or its interpretation? Interests: Do parties have conflicting interests or needs? Values: Are there important religious, social or cultural values at stake for any of the parties? Relationships: What are the personal, social or political relationships involved? Structures: What is the role of institutional, economic or social structures? Context of the Conflict Understand the context of the Conflict: Historical, political and cultural context and History of the stakeholders’ relationships Actors and issues are not isolated Conflict occurs within relationships The institutional, economic, political and social structures are always relevant Consider cultural factors Conflict Map What is a “conflict map”?A tool for understanding relationships involved in a conflict Why take time to create a conflict map? Use to help identify all stakeholders… Assess stakeholders’ relationships… Assess power dynamics… Identify and assess alliances… Identify and carefully evaluate some possible points for investigation or intervention… Assess intervener relationships with stakeholders… Assess your own position regarding issues and actors… Figure 11: Basic Conflict Map Escalating or De-escalating of conflicts Is the conflict: Escalating? De-escalating? Or Stalemated? Is there a Stalemate in a Conflict? Is the conflict “ripe” for intervention to encourage negotiation or resolution? A of “ripeness” occurs when all parties realize they have reached a “hurting stalemate” in which both realize their options are limited, and both realize they have no power to improve their position by retaliating. Are any third parties on the scene influencing the situation or intervening? Consider more than just official actors. What is happening behind the scenes?