What is the basic social
setting in which the conflict is occurring (geography, religion,
history, culture, demographics, and economy)?
Who are the contending
parties, their formal representatives and spokespersons, and coalition
partners?
What is the nature of the
long-term, underlying conflicts which divide the parties?
What is the focus of the
immediate dispute (e.g. a strike, election, public protest)?
Who are the contending
parties and what is their image of the situation? How do the various
parties' images of the situation vary?
What is the recent history
of the conflict? Have similar problems occurred in the past? How were
they handled? What happened? Are the same people or groups involved this
time?
To what degree has the
conflict escalated? Has violence occurred? If so, how much, and of what
kind?
What future events are
anticipated? Does the conflict seem to be intensifying or diminishing in
intensity?
What is the geographic
"lay of the land?" Where can I find good maps of the area's
transportation system, economic infrastructure, and natural environment?
What conflict-handling and
violence-limiting institutions are present (e.g. legal and political
systems, the police, the military, the church)? What have they done (or
are they doing) to address the situation?
What other conflict
management efforts are ongoing or planned? Who is involved? How can the
people involved be contacted?
How have similar problems in
other areas been handled? What worked? What didn't? What lessons can
be applied to this situation? Are there people or organizations involved
in similar efforts elsewhere that could make a contribution here?
What general information on
strategies for dealing with such conflicts are available?
Where can I get information
about travel arrangements? Fund-raising options? Translation services?
Local communications services (including Internet access)?
