Conflict Across Cultures: A Unique Experience of Bridging Differences

by Michelle LeBaron, Venashri Pillay

"Remarkably readable, and even more valuable for its contribution to understanding the problems that underpin virtually every major conflict in the world today." - Ambassador John W. McDonald, Chairman, The Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy

Cultural differences among members of any group - be it a multinational business team or an international family - are frequently the source of misunderstanding and can lead to conflict. With powerful techniques for resolving or at least reducing conflicts, scholars and teachers from around the globe demystify the intricate and important relationship between conflict and culture.

Stories, which are at the heart of the book, come from a wide variety of groups and locations, and they give sound counsel for all kinds of business, law, government, non-governmental agencies, schools, communities and families. Conflict Across Cultures is written by a new generation of conflict resolution scholars from four parts of the Canada, South Africa, Japan and the US. They describe processes and help build the skills necessary for successful conflict resolution. Here is a new framework for understanding others - a map for making progress through differences that can otherwise overwhelm us. Conflict across Cultures offers hope in countering the view that differences must divide us.

240 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2006

Reviews

[Veronica Derden-jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I didn't have to read this book for a class, I wouldn't have ever learned about tolerance for other cultures. Anyone that work in an diverse environment, should read this book.

[Trisha Swed · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this book as part of an “intercultural conflict communication” class. I liked how it was set up, and its approach is top notch. It does get a little repetitive! Which sometimes is a good thing, sometimes a bad thing- depends on the teacher and the class.

[Andrew]

The writing is dense in a way that detracts from the effectiveness of the book. It's difficult reading, mechanically.