Whatever the conflict situation and however it is characterized, conflict management strategies must be responsive to the particular situation in which a conflict occurs. It is one thing to recognize and define a conflict; it is quite another to attempt to manage it. CEA has been involved in highlighting and addressing conflicts together with the communities involved. Water is particularly a contestable commodity in many parts of Eastern Africa. In Kenya there are many inter-community conflicts brought about by use of water. Water despite often being in plenty during the rainy seasons becomes such a rare commodity that communities often take up arms to protect the resource. At CEA we deal with Conflict Management not Resolution of Conflicts. Many discussions of conflict turn to the term resolution to denote the settlement of either a conflict or dispute. We agree that specific disputes can be resolved but believe that many policy conflicts are both complex and enduring (often with social, political, cultural, economic, and scientific aspects). Conflict Management is the term we prefer. We have done this with Water Users and even with Community Forest Associations in Kenya.
CEA worked closely with The Wangari Maathai Institute, University of Nairobi; European Investment Bank; The World Bank and Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank (FMO)
