Rethinking Community-based Justice System for Conflict Transformation

This book is an action research reflection from Bangladesh on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and community-based peacebuilding. Following the Action-Reflection-Action Cycle, this piece of experiential research deals with the widely used ADR method-mediation (locally known as shalish)- in Bangladesh and explores how much it really can transform local disputes sustainably. In doing so, the researcher explored the limitations of mediation through in-depth interviews, interactions with rural communities, mediation committee members and practitioners; and at the same time applied counselling technique for making the mediation method more transformative and effective. Following the learning and reflections, required modification was made and reapplied for testing and eventually developing a theoretical stand. The book concludes stating that introduction of counselling, which should be simple and non-technical, can enable the mediation process in addressing the sub-system and system level underlying causes of conflict which are critically important for resolving any grassroots level petty disputes through peaceful transformation.