Group Conflicts and Cooperation – Basic 6 Social Studies Lesson Note (Third Term)

Conflict is a disagreement or fighting between people or groups, while cooperation is working together to achieve a common goal.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. Define conflict and cooperation.
2. State the importance of communication and cooperation.
3. List ways of controlling and avoiding conflicts.
4. Explain what international conflict is and give its causes.
5. Give examples of international conflicts.

What is conflict?

Conflict is a disagreement or fighting between people or groups.

What causes conflict between groups?

• Misunderstanding: people get the wrong idea about what others said or did.
• Selfishness: one group wants everything for itself.
• Unfair sharing: resources such as land, water or money are not shared fairly.
• Disrespect: one group ignores the opinions or rights of another.
• Breaking rules: some members refuse to obey agreed rules or laws.

What are the effects of conflict?

• Loss of life: people can be hurt or killed.
• Damage to property: homes, shops and schools can be destroyed.
• Hatred: groups lose trust in each other.
• Slow development: money and time are spent on fighting instead of building.

What is cooperation?

Cooperation is working together to achieve a common goal.

• In school: pupils clean the classroom and compound together.
• In the community: villagers join together to repair a road or clear a market.
• In sport: players work as a team to win a football match.
• At home: family members share household chores.

What is the importance of communication and cooperation?

Communication and cooperation help people live together in peace and reach their goals.

1. Solves problems peacefully: people talk and agree instead of fighting.
2. Builds strong relationships: people learn to trust one another.
3. Achieves goals faster: many hands make work easier and quicker.
4. Promotes unity and peace: groups feel they belong together.
5. Develops the community: projects such as roads, schools and clinics are completed.

How can conflicts be controlled?

There are six ways to control a conflict that has already started.

1. Good communication: each side speaks clearly and listens carefully.
2. Dialogue and negotiation: both sides sit down and talk to find a solution.
3. Respecting others’ opinions: each person accepts that others may think differently.
4. Compromise: each side gives up something and they meet halfway.
5. Seeking help from elders or leaders: a respected person settles the matter fairly.
6. Following rules and laws: everyone obeys the agreed rules.

How can conflicts be avoided?

There are five ways to stop a conflict before it starts.

1. Tolerance and patience: stay calm and bear small offences.
2. Understanding differences: accept that people differ in tribe, religion and ideas.
3. Sharing resources fairly: give everyone a just share.
4. Respecting boundaries: keep to your own limits and do not enter another person’s land or space.
5. Being honest: telling the truth prevents suspicion and quarrels.

What is the difference between controlling and avoiding conflict?

• Controlling conflict: stopping or reducing a conflict that has already begun.
• Avoiding conflict: preventing a conflict from starting at all.

What are international conflicts?

International conflict is a disagreement between countries.

What are the causes of international conflict?

1. Competition for resources: countries struggle over oil, land and water.
2. Border disputes: countries disagree about where their boundary lies.
3. Religious differences: groups or countries quarrel over beliefs.
4. Political disagreements: governments disagree on how to rule or on foreign policy.
5. Economic competition: countries compete over trade and wealth.
6. Terrorism: attacks by violent groups spread fear and cause tension between countries.
7. Human rights violations: a government abuses the rights of its people and other countries react.

What are examples of international conflicts?

• Russia and Ukraine: a conflict between two countries in Europe.
• Israel and Palestine: a long-running conflict in the Middle East.
• Civil wars in some African countries: fighting inside a country that often affects its neighbours.

How can international conflicts be settled?

• Dialogue: leaders of the countries meet and talk.
• Help from international bodies: organisations such as the United Nations help countries settle disputes peacefully.
• Treaties: countries sign agreements to keep the peace.

Evaluation

1. Conflict means: (A) Agreement (B) Disagreement or fighting (C) Cooperation (D) Peace.
2. Cooperation helps to: (A) Cause more problems (B) Achieve goals faster (C) Create enemies (D) Waste time.
3. A way to avoid conflict is: (A) Fighting (B) Tolerance (C) Stubbornness (D) Selfishness.
4. International conflict is between: (A) Friends (B) Family members (C) Countries (D) Classmates.
5. A cause of international conflict is: (A) Good relationships (B) Border disputes (C) Cooperation (D) Peace treaties.

Answers: 1 B, 2 B, 3 B, 4 C, 5 B.

Assignment

Describe a conflict you witnessed and how it was resolved.