In the field of efforts for peace, anything that has to do with treatment of conflicts that is aimed at overcoming them in a positive, peaceful and dialogued way is known as “Conflict resolution” or “Transformation of conflicts”, and more recently as “Conflictology”. Fortunately, in this area the main studies, methodologies or centres have a lot of criteria in common. There is a universal language in the theory of conflict resolution but with a number of nuances that enrich it. Baketik coincides with this theoretical current in basic elements, although it does offer some specific focuses. The intention is not to question or contradict the extensive work done in the field, rather to confirm it and –on the basis of it- add elements that could enrich it.

The approach that Baketik wishes to contribute has its key element in the search for an ethical management of conflicts. This is the new approach it brings, and which distinguishes it. One of its assumptions is that destructive conflicts do not necessarily have a solution or resolution, they have a management. ‘Management’ means transforming something through good work. We will explain this good work later on, but for the moment we can say that this proposal for ethical management consists of three steps. The first involves making an ethical review of the bases on which we approach conflicts. The second steps invites people to look inwards, in terms of how they experience the conflict. The third encourages people to undertake an interpersonal type of work ‘outwards’, i.e the management of the conflict. All this will be called “comprehension or ethical management of conflicts” or simply “ethical management”.

We should make it clear that when we speak of ‘conflict’ we refer to conflict as a daily and real experience. Not just (therefore) to great international, political, social or religious conflicts but those that happen on a daily basis. These two perspectives, that of conflicts that are further away from us and those that are closer to us, will be present in Baketik. It is not difficult to integrate this dual perspective because the apparently most serious and distant conflict and the one that is less serious and closer to us have a lot in common. So, what is said about or learnt from one can help with the other. In this sense, the clear intention of this centre is that it should not just help experts or specialists in large conflicts but mainly everyday people, people who are experts in life and daily conflicts.