Categories for Dividers/Connectors Analysis
Connectors
• Systems and Institutions:
markets/trade, infrastructure
(communication, irrigation
systems, schools, transport,
etc.)
• Attitudes and Actions: non-
war attitudes, tolerance,
acceptance, inter-group
associations etc.
• Shared Values and Interests:
systems like electric and
health services, love for
children, religion, cultural and
ethical values, habits of
thinking and acting etc.
• Common Experiences:
suffering from violence/war,
common history
• Symbols and Occasions:
common holidays, flags,
cultural events/ceremonies
etc.
Dividers
• Systems and Institutions:
armies and gangs, systems of
discrimination, e.g. unequal
access to education, health,
justice etc.
• Attitudes and Actions: mistrust,
suspicion, fear, prejudice, acts
of violence, e.g. bomb attacks
etc.
• Different Values and Interests:
fighting over resources (water,
pastures), different religious
affiliations, imposed cultural
and ethical values etc.
• Different Experiences: different
perceptions of the world, of
right and wrong, law
enforcement system treats
different groups differently,
different language and history
etc.
• Symbols and Occasions:
imposed holidays, distinct
subgroup symbols that can
easily be manipulated to
emphasize or create divisions
Exercise: How does your own project support Connectors and Dividers?
Give examples from your working experiences.
Systems and Institutions

Which formal or informal governing policies, institutions or local, economic,

technological, or cultural systems keep people apart or increase tensions between
groups?

Which institutions or systems help people overcome their differences or promote

coexistence?

Attitudes and Actions

What kinds of attitudes, stereotypes, threats or acts of violence exist in the context?

How do people express tolerance, acceptance or appreciation for other groups?

Values and Interests

What are the specific values that may differ between groups and lead to tensions? What
are the specific values that are shared among groups?

Do groups share interests? Do they work together? Do groups have different interests in
relation to shared resources?

Experiences

Have groups experienced a past or historical event differently?

What experiences have groups shared in the past?

Symbols and Occasions

Are there symbols, events, holidays or occasions that celebrate one group over the other?

From which certain groups are excluded?

Are there universal symbols of togetherness or peace recognized and celebrated by all
groups?