During a recent outdoors camp two girls fought bitterly - hitting each other. One was considerably younger than other (8 yrs and 12 yrs). So to resolve the fight I separated them and tried to distract the younger one into some paper-folding activity. I made it clear that I want - no more discussion about the fight and get on with the camp activities.
After a while a couple of girls, who were not even involved with the tussle, came to me. They requested that I let the younger one go across and talk to elder one because - she is good at resolving the issues. They said that if its not sorted out then the fight will continue into the night so better to talk-it-over. Ok, I said, give it a try. And the two warring-factions did come to an understanding. I don't know what that was but they were back in the group.
This was something I had dreamed about and had faith in, but till now had not seen in action. I think, children are naturally good at negotiations. Left to themselves, they find a way to compromise which benefit everyone. As children grow old they loose this ability. It may be because their sense of self becomes stronger or peer pressure prohibits them from sitting down at the negotiating table with open mind or simply they form set opinions about others.
Whatever may be the reason, if younger children have this ability to negotiate then we can systemically cultivate it through deliberate exercises. When these children grow-up they would bring about consensus on apparently contentious issues.
We are seeing growing number of factions in every possible form - religious, socio-economic, regional, linguistics, political. Every one has strong views now a days. This is not a good sign. But there is a hope. If we can encourage children in the art of negotiations then we can reach that dream of global village.
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