Catholic Relief Services (CRS), our host organization during the course, operates based on a framework of analysis that recognizes the many facets of society in conflict.
The 5 “Eyes” of Conflict
- Institutions: Systematic level – bias, prejudice, and structural conflict
- Identities: Relational level – political conflict among different ethnic and religious groups
- Income: Material level – stratification of wealth causing inequality and stagnated human development
- International forces: external level – includes irresponsible development, international aid, multi-national organizations, foreign investment, foreign owned agribusiness, etc. exacerbate land conflict
- Interactions: the interaction between all systems described above.
CRS is a cornerstone of the peacebuilding movement in Mindanao. When speaking about “the conflict” in academic or policy circles, or the international media, the nuance of what is happening is often lost. Glossy headlines perpetuate fear, mistrust, and marginalization of Mindanaoans from the rest of the Philippines, Southeast Asia, and the international community. After two weeks of fieldwork we learned that the conflict is branded as religious, but is outstandingly about land. Over generations of migration, displacement, violence and political turmoil, fighting groups are given a label by their ethnic or religious identity, instead of their cause. This classification of groups – their mission, traits, and traditions – has amplified over generations and through many violent clashes. Thus it is important to remember individuals’ and communities’ involvement in conflict across the 5 “Eyes” or levels of conflict, and avoid bias and prejudices.
For more on Catholic Relief Services’ approach to conflict and peace building, see their website.
