Why is it important?

We are not enabled as a community to deal purposefully with disputes. Incorporating differing viewpoints boosts the effects of collaboration

What does success look like?

Increased collaboration and reduction of destructive disputes between communities. Both technical and non-technical initiatives are welcome.

Key Metrics to measure

Objective metrics to measure success:

• Number of proposals addressing conflict transformation

• Number of distinct conflict transformation processes implemented on Cardano

• Number of Catalyst projects integrating with conflict transformation processes

• Number of conflict transformation events, workshops, trainings

• Number of people trained in conflict transformation processes

  Challenge brief

Just as any community, Catalyst, the larger Cardano community, and the blockchain space overall are full of apparent and acute, but also simmering or hidden conflicts.

Conflicts are not inherently bad, as they present opportunities for growth and increased understanding between disputing parties. However, for these positives to manifest, conflict has to be properly transformed. As it has been increasingly made apparent, so far, we are not doing a great job overall as a community in breaking down the barriers that keep sub-communities apart. This situation has already led to community members reducing their involvement with Catalyst or turning their backs on Cardano altogether.

The key question then is how do we end something destructive and build something desired.

While the purpose is to promote constructive change processes that may offer immediate solutions, the focus is on building strong relationships within and outside of the Cardano community.

Conflict transformation borrows from indigenous peacemaking, civil rights, and non-violent resistance movements. It influenced restorative justice and is also the base for alternative dispute resolution processes such as narrative and transformative mediation.

Potential directions

• Training of conflict transformation specialists (e.g. mediators, facilitators)
• Building and expanding conflict transformation services on Cardano
• Conflict transformation treasury to utilize services at no cost to disputing parties within the Cardano community

About the proposers

Matthias Sieber - B.A. Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, and Peace-building, Master of Dispute Resolution, Graduate Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution, DRPA-certified mediator, Catalyst Circle v2 member, Cardano StackExchange moderator, Cardano Ambassador, CEO Loxe Inc.

Victor Corcino - MSc in software development applied to engineering, Specialization in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Catalyst Circle v1 member, Leader of Catalyst School, Co-founder of Catalyst Swarm and Cardano AIM, COO Loxe Inc.

Nori Nishigaya - Founder of the Salmon Nation Decentralized Alliance (SANADA), Bridge Builders, and SPO [SAMON]. Member of the Catalyst Circle Admin Team, Cardano4Climate, Pacific Town Hall organizer, Cardano Ambassador, CA, and Funded proposer.

Mercy A - Wada Coordination Lead. Interested in people and helping people get along. She has a combined 25+ years' experience in Project Management and Engagement (West Africa, Canada) Healthcare (UK, Canada) and brings a wealth of experience and passion to this project. Mercy is responsible for WADA coordination, and building partnerships. <https://www.linkedin.com/in/mercy-tachie-menson-77b10931/>

Felix Weber - Bridge Builder & Networker. Founder & Initiator at Catalyst Swarm, Bridge Builders & Ambassadors Guild. Funded Proposer, CA, Challenge Team, Catalyst Circle version 1 member. Cardano Ambassador & Fulltime Community Member.

Discussion

Gimbalabs Playground session from Mar 1, 2022.

<https://youtu.be/RZFhBAsNf1E>