This tool was developed by Olga Botcharova to facilitate forgiveness by helping victims of violent conflict begin a process of personal healing [1]. It supplements peacebuilding efforts that impose an immediate “peace” by ceasing violent conflict but fail to address personal traumas and the resulting distrust carried by affected individuals.
Seven Steps towards Reconciliation is not a tool used to analyse conflict, but a conflict transformation tool. Conflict analysis, both of the general situation and the individual-level trauma, should be carried out prior to its application to ensure that it has maximum efficacy and does not cause re-traumatisation.
[1] Olga Botcharova: “Implementation of Track Two Diplomacy.“ In: Tutu, D.: “Forgiveness and Reconciliation.“ Region, Public Policy and Conflict Transformation, Philadelphia: Templeton Foundation Press, 2002.