The Role Of Social Capital As A Conflict Resolution Mechanism: The Case Of Organizations In Methara Town

Abstract

The study was aimed at examining the social capital institutions at Metehara town specifically in kebele 01and 02. It was intended to find answers to the following basic questions: - 1.What are the level of the awareness’s of formal and informal organizational officers and informal institutions leaders of Metehara town on social capital? 2 How the conflict resolution and peace building organization officers and informal institutions leaders of Metehara town using social capital to overcome conflicts? 3. To What extent organizations are interrelated to use social capitals as a means of conflict resolving mechanisms of the community? 4. What are the major conflict resolution mechanisms practicing by the formal and informal organizations of Metehara town? The research design employed for this study was a mixed method more of qualitative supplemented by quantitative descriptive approach. To this end purposive sampling design was used, by employing total sample size of 41 representatives. The samples composition was from formal and informal officers of social capital practitioners, Idir, Baltina, Elders, Religious leaders and governmentally employed professionals to explore the sustainability of the service provision, the enforceability, strengths and weaknesses and its role in maintaining peace and stability in the area. The data was collected using structured interview as the main instrument along with open and close ended questions to supplement the data gathered from the key informants (local elders).The study finding shows sustainability of the service provision of the social capital practice is being over looked in order to integrate social capital as conflict resolution mechanism, with the formal laws strengthening, their role and defining their function is so important in Metehara town. Besides, advancing capacity building, increasing the income of agents by creating new opportunities, raising finance generated from the community, and the like would may helps to the community for the sustainability of the social capital as conflict resolution and problem solving in general as well.