What is conflict?
    Conflict is a fact of life and it comes and goes as life moves on. 
    Conflict is part of a process for the reason that it may arise out of such an 
    array  of  objective  and  subjective  conditions that demand resolution on 
    sustainable basis.
    Conflict is any situation in which there are incompatible goals, cognitions, 
    or emotions  within or between individuals or groups that lead to opposition 
    or antagonistic interaction.
     It is the struggle between incompatible and opposing needs, wishes, ideas, 
    interests of people.
 Conflict  is  present  when  two  or  more  parties  perceive  that  their  interests  are 
  incompatible, express hostile attitudes or pursue their interests through actions that 
  damage the other parties.
 Interests can differ over:
   
    Access to and distribution of resources (e.g Territory, money, energy sources, food);
   
    Control of power and participation in political decision-making;
   
    Identity (cultural, social and political communities); and
   
    Status, particularly those embodied in systems of government, religion,
  Conflicts can be categorized  by numerous dimensions, for  example: 
    1) The issue at stake (e.g. resources, self-determination); 
    2) The actors (e.g. state, non-state); 
    3) The form of the conflict (e.g. latent/hidden, manifest, violent, and non-violent 
     conflict).
    4) The area in which the conflict takes place (e.g. local, international, river basin, 
     or forest area)
 
  Conflict is ever-changing: stages of conflict
 Violence is the threat or use of 
 strong physical force. 
 Violence  can  also  consist  of 
 actions,  words,  attitudes  or 
 structures  that  cause  damage 
 and prevent people from
 pursuing  their  livelihoods  and 
 well-being.
  
   Latent conflict refers to social tensions, differences and disagreements that are 
   hidden or undeveloped, like there may be smoke, but there is no visible fire.
  
   Emerging conflict: conflicts that can emerge gradually and steadily, or develop 
   rapidly in response to a few significant events.
  
   As differences increase and intensify, conflict becomes manifest, expanding into a 
   full-blown public issue that cannot be avoided.
    
     In the manifest stage, opponents’ differences become more prominent and more 
     central to group dynamics.
  
   Manifest conflicts can escalate and become violent 
    
     When a conflict reaches this stage, violence often produces counter-violence, 
     leading to further escalation.