MODULE 2

LESSON 2
____________________________________________________________________________

Building Ties

YOUR JOURNEY

Conflicts are a serious disagreement or argument, typically a protracted one. It happens

everywhere. Within the family, peers, with the classmates, or even in a relationship. Conflicts
can be resolved even how big it is.

Building ties is one of the ways on how to resolve conflicts. There must be a connection
between and among people in this diverse world.

“We are constituted so that simple acts of kindness, such as giving to charity or expressing
gratitude, have a positive effect on our long-term moods. The key to the happy life, it seems, is
the good life: a life with sustained relationships, challenging work, and connections to
community.” - Paul Bloom

YOUR OBJECTIVES

 Assess the purpose of the writer/author.

 Present information using tables or graphs.
 Finding out the theme of the selection
 Explain how the elements specific to a genre help in developing the theme of the
selections.
 Correcting grammatical errors.
 Using different patterns or techniques of developing an argumentative claim.
 Assess the point of view of a certain selection.

Be reminded that at the end of this lesson, you are expected to write and deliver your very own
extemporaneous speech.
YOUR INITIAL TASKS

Task 1 COMPLETE AND LISTEN

A. Before listening to the song ‘Fight Song’ by Rachel Platten, complete its lyrics by filling out
the lines with the correct word using the following words.

Match waves fight believes really chasing burning

Fight Song

Like a small boat My power's turned on

On the ocean Starting right now I'll be strong
Sending big _____ I'll play my fight song
Into motion And I don't ____ care if nobody else ______
Like how a single word 'Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me
Can make a heart open Losing friends and I'm ______ sleep
I might only have one ___ Everybody's worried about me
But I can make an explosion In too deep
And all those things I didn't say Say I'm in too deep (in too deep)
Wrecking balls inside my brain And it's been two years I miss my home
I will scream them loud tonight But there's a fire _______ in my bones
Can you hear my voice this time? Still believe
This is my ____ song Yeah, I still believe
Take back my life song And
Prove I'm alright song
Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8qDOGLCSFo

B. Check your answers while listening to the song. Understand its message.

C. Answer the questions that follow

1. What impact did the title gave you at first?
2. What fight is the song pertaining to?
3. What are your insights about fights/conflicts/challenges?
4. What fights/challenges have you experienced? Did you deal with it nicely?
5. What kind of world would it be if there are no fights/challenges?

Task 2 WHAT’S THE WORD?

Find the word being described by the meaning after it.

1. _ _ _ _ _ _ _

- an angry argument or disagreement, typically between people who are usually on good
terms.

2. _ _ _ _ _ _ _

- scarcity or the lack of a certain (variant) amount of material possessions or money.

3. _ _ _ _ _

- cause the destruction

4. _ _ _ _ _ _

- sumptuously rich, elaborate, or luxurious

5. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

- dangerous

Task 3 READ READ

A. Read an inspirational speech about conflict prevention and sustaining peace.
Speech at the open debate at the UN Security Council entitled "Conflict prevention and
sustaining peace"
Madame President,
Distinguished Members of the Council,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am honored to address the Security Council at this open debate on conflict prevention and
sustaining peace. I would like to thank you – Madam President – for convening this timely
debate. I would also like to thank the UN Secretary General for outlining his vision for a renewed
focus on conflict prevention.
To start with, I would like to say that Poland aligns itself with the statement to be delivered on
behalf of the European Union later today.
In recent years, we have witnessed a number of increasingly complex and protracted conflicts
and – at the very same time – the worst humanitarian crises since the end of World War II.
Given a particularly fragile security landscape in many regions of the world, we have to
acknowledge that efforts aimed at resolving existing conflicts are not enough. In order to ensure
durable and equitable peace for all, it is imperative that the international community identifies
and tackles the root causes of conflicts in a more accurate and timely manner. Therefore, I
deeply believe that conflict prevention should remain at the core of UN activities undertaken to
maintain peace and security around the world. Despite some progress which has been made in
the field, the multiplication of conflicts and crises in the course of the last twenty years clearly
shows that prevention still remains critically under-prioritized. This has to change in order to
allow conflict prevention to surface as a priority tool in various UN policies and strategies
dealing with conflicts worldwide.
As one of the founding members of the United Nations, Poland has been involved in UN
peacekeeping operations since 1953. Since that time, over 70 thousand Blue Helmets from
Poland have served in diverse UN missions. From the shores of Haiti where Polish soldiers
helped to rebuild a nation, through the heights and deserts of the Middle East to the Balkans
where the then Polish prime minister and UN human rights envoy Tadeusz Mazowiecki urged
the international community to stop the horrifying ethnic cleansing and human rights violations,
Poland has always been committed to bringing assistance to those seeking peace restoration
and reconciliation. Driven by the universal values of peace, stability and prosperity which lie at
the core of Poland’s foreign policy, my country does not want to be considered a simple security
consumer, but a reliable security provider. Currently, we are taking efforts to increase our
participation in UN operations.
Conflicts can and should be prevented or mitigated by early, well-suited political and diplomatic
engagement. In this context, we deeply believe that the Security Council has a critical role to
play in preventing conflicts and sustaining peace. One of the reasons we gathered at today’s
open debate is our common willingness to address the question: how can the Council fully
capitalize on opportunities for preventive action? Now, I would like to highlight some areas
where Poland believes progress and attention are particularly needed.
Firstly, we believe that the Security Council already possesses appropriate prevention tools for
effective action, but it is vital to use these tools more often. Horizon-scanning briefings by the
Secretariat, interactive dialogues, videoconferencing and DPA briefings can not only contribute
to the earlier recognition of warning signs, but also facilitate taking action before these signs
deteriorate into an open conflict.
Secondly, we think that the Security Council’s visiting missions should take prevention aspects
into consideration in a more effective way. With reference to the regional dimension, Poland
highly values dedicated work of Ad Hoc Working Group on conflict prevention in Africa. The
Group fulfills its mission and ensures continued thematic focus on emerging situations prior to
the Council’s consultations or formal meetings. We would like to strongly advocate using these
tools more frequently as well as broadening their scope to encompass other regions of the
world.
Lastly, Poland believes that the Security Council should not be hampered by the use of veto
from taking action aimed at stopping or preventing situations involving war crimes or crimes
against humanity.
Conflict prevention is an activity of a truly comprehensive nature. First, it requires involvement of
a wide range of actors: not only national, regional and sub-regional actors, but also different
components of the whole UN system. In this regard, we fully support UNDP’s actions aimed at
supporting national dialogue processes, local peace committees and confidence-building
measures. Also, we reiterate our strong support for the implementation of Sustainable
Development Goals and Agenda 2030.
We are also convinced that the United Nations needs a better and more coherent coordination
of work between the Security Council, the Peacebuilding Commission and various UN missions
in the field. In this context, we believe that enhanced consultations between the Security Council
and troop-contributing countries would help adopt the stance of responsiveness to unstable,
peace-threatening conditions.
Moreover, I would like to underline that conflict prevention requires cross-pillar and cross-
sectoral approach. A coherent implementation across human rights, peace and security as well
as sustainable development is essential.
I would also like to emphasize the importance of effective national conflict prevention policies
based on activities such as strengthening transparent and accountable state institutions, fighting
corruption and promoting good governance. Good governance in pre- and post-conflict settings
is one of the crucial factors helping defuse tensions and prevent escalation.
Finally, we have to remember that all UN activities undertaken to maintain international peace
and security, such as conflict prevention and mediation, peacekeeping, peace enforcement and
peacebuilding need to go hand in hand. These activities cannot be undertaken in isolation, but
be part of a truly comprehensive approach to ensure the development of what UN Secretary-
General described in his vision statement as the “peace continuum”.
As I have already mentioned at the beginning, Poland welcomed UN Secretary-General’s
declaration which highlighted conflict prevention as one of Secretary-General’s priorities. We
believe that through mediation, good offices and shuttle diplomacy Secretary-General can
alleviate tensions and foster peaceful relations between states. Under the UN Charter, the
Secretariat plays a significant role in the process, as it can bring to the Security Council’s
attention both early warnings and an in-depth analysis of emerging crises.
We need to acknowledge that maintaining international peace requires both bold decisions and
concerted actions. Therefore, I call for the enhanced responsibility of all actors involved in the
process. Policy makers, representatives of civil society, experts and the media should set all
possible wheels in motion to strengthen our current “peace” diplomacy. We should jointly
endeavor to ensure that the basis for every activity in the field has a solid and realistic
perspective.
Thank you for your attention.

B. Work in fives and list down some of the important words, phrases, and sentences about
building ties and resolving conflicts.

Do you think these lines help a lot in resolving conflicts and building ties? Why do you think so?
Task 4 I’M A STAR!

With a partner discuss some traits people should have to attain harmony, peace and solidarity in
our world. Jot them down on the stars

Explain to your classmates why you think of these values.

YOUR TEXT

Task 5 BATTLES

The Battle of Maldon, Old English heroic poem describing a historical skirmish between East
Saxons and Viking (mainly Norwegian) raiders in 991. It is incomplete, its beginning and ending
both lost. The poem is remarkable for its vivid, dramatic combat scenes and for its expression of
the Germanic ethosof loyalty to a leader. The poem, as it survives, opens with the war parties
aligned on either side of a stream (the present River Blackwater near Maldon, Essex). The
Vikings offer the cynical suggestion that the English may buy their peace with golden rings. The
English commander Earl Byrhtnoth replies that they will pay their tribute in spears and darts.
When the Vikings cannot advance because of their poor position, Byrhtnoth recklessly allows
them safe conduct across the stream, and the battle follows. In spite of Byrhtnoth’s supreme
feats of courage, he is finally slain. In panic some of the English warriors desert. The names of
the deserters are carefully recorded in the poem along with the names and genealogies of the
loyal retainers who stand fast to avenge Byrhtnoth’s death. The 325-line fragment ends with the
rallying speech of the old warrior Byrhtwold (here in modern English):

Battle of Maldon and to go forwards, mindful of their hands

An excerpt and their stout courage. (2-4)

“…should it become broken.” (1) When Offa’s kinsman first understood

Then Byrhtnoth ordered each of his warriors that the earl would not suffer cowardice,

to release their horses, to hurry them far he let his beloved hawk fly from his hands

away, away into the woods and then he advanced

to the battle—
that was a gesture one could recognize:
the young warrior did not wish waver at war,
when he took up his weapons. (5-10)
Also Eadric wanted to support his lord,
his master in battle so he bore his spear
forth to the fight. He had good intentions
so long as he could hold with his hands
a shield and broad sword—he would
validate his vow
when the time came to fight before his lord.
(11-6)
Then Byrhtnoth encouraged his warriors
there,
riding and ruling, directing his soldiers
how they must stand and keep that place,
and gave them
instruction as to how they should hold their
shields
correctly, fast with their hands—that they
should fear nothing.
When he had fortified his fyrd-men
graciously,
then he alighted amid the ranks, where it
most pleased him,
in the place where he knew his most loyal
hearth-guard to be. (17-24)
Then one stood on the shore, sternly calling
out,
a Viking herald, conversing in many words,
he delivered in a vaunt the message of the
brim-sailors
to that nobleman where he stood on the
riverbank: (25-8)
“They have sent me to you, the hardy sea-
men—
they bid you be informed that you must
quickly send
rings in exchange for protection, and it
would be better
for you to buy off with tribute this storm of
spears,
otherwise we should deal in such a hard
battle.
We needn’t destroy ourselves if you are
sufficiently rich—
we wish to establish a safeguard in
exchange for gold.
If you decide this, you who are most
powerful here,
and you wish to ransom your people
and give to the sea-men, according to their
own discretion,
money in exchange for peace, and take a
truce at our hands,
we will go back to our ships with our
payment,
and sail away, holding the peace with you.”
(29-41)
Byrhtnoth spoke back, raising up his shield,
waving his slender spear, speaking in
words,
angry and resolute, giving them answer:
(42-4)
“Have you heard, sailor, what these people
say?
They wish to give you spears as tribute,
the poisonous points and ancient swords,
this tackle of war that will do you no good in
battle. ready,
Herald of the brim-men, deliver this again, the many Vikings, eager warriors. (62-73)
say unto your people a more unpleasant
Then the shelter of heroes ordered his war-
report:
hardened warriors
here stands with his troops a renowned earl
to keep the bridge. One was named
who wishes to defend this homeland,
Wulfstan,
the country of Æthelred, my own lord,
keen amongst his kin, he was the son of
and his citizens and territory. The heathens
Ceola,
shall perish in battle. It seems a humiliation
who with his spear shot down the first man
to let you go to your ships with our treasures
who was boldest and stepped onto the
unfought—now you have come thus far
bridge.
into our country. You must not get our gold
There stood with Wulfstan warriors unafraid,
so softly. Points and edges must reconcile
Ælfhere and Maccus, two proud men,
us first,
they did not wish to flee from the ford,
a grim war-playing, before we give you any
yet they fixedly defended it against their
tribute.” (45-61)
foes,
Then, bearing his shield, he ordered his as long as they were allowed to wield their
warriors to advance, weapons. (74-83)
all those who stood on the riverbank.
When they perceived this and keenly
Nor could that army go unto the other
observed
because of the water;
that they had encountered bitter bridge-
where the flood came flowing after the ebb-
wardens there,
tide.
then the Vikings began to use guile, the
The watery streams separated them. It
hated guests,
seemed to them too long
asking that they be allowed to have free
before they could muster their spears
passage,
together.
faring across the ford, leading their foot-
There they stood in press alongside Pante’s
soldiers. (84-8)
stream,
the greatest of the East-Saxons and the This the nobleman allowed, due to his
spear-hordes. overweening pride—
Nor could any of them afflict the other side, he gave up too much land to those hated
except those who were felled by the people.
showering of arrows. He shouted across the cold water then,
The tide went out—the float-men stood Byrhthelm’s son, while his warriors listened:
“Now is passage granted to you, come
quickly to us,
as men to the fight: God alone knows
who will be allowed to control the field of
slaughter.” (89-95)
Then the slaughter-wolves waded—caring
not for the water—
the Viking army, westward across the
Pante,
across the bright waters, carrying their
board-shields,
sailing-men to the shore, bearing yellow
linden.
There they stood ready against the
ferocious one,
Byrhtnoth and his warriors. He ordered
them
to form a shield-wall with their shields and
for the army
to hold fast against their foes. Then was the
fighting near,
glory in battle. The time was coming
that fated men must fall there. (96-105)
There was shouting heaved up, and ravens
circling,
eagles eager for carrion—an uproar was on
the earth.
Then they let fly from their hands spears
file-hardened,
the spears grimly ground down, bows were
busy—
shields were peppered with points. (106-10)
Bitter was the onslaught, warriors fell
on either side, the young men lying down.
Wulfmær was wounded, choosing a
slaughter-rest,
Byrhtnoth’s kinsman—he was mightily cut
down
with a sword, his sister-son.
There requital was given back to the
Vikings—
as I heard it—Eadweard struck down one
mightily with his sword, not withholding his
blow,
so that a fated champion fell down at his
feet.
For this Byrhtnoth gave his thanks to him,
lord to chamberlain, when he had the
chance. (111-21)
They all stood so firmly stiff-minded,
the young warriors in the battle, thinking
eagerly
who they could soonest conquer
with their swords, the life of fated men,
the warriors with their weapons. Slaughter
fell upon the earth.
They stood steadfast: Byrhtnoth exhorted
them,
ordering every warrior to think upon the
scrum,
who wished for glory in fighting the Danes.
(122-9)
Then one stern in war waded forth, heaving
up his weapon,
sheltered by his shield, stepped up against
Byrhtnoth.
The earl went just as resolutely to the churl,
either of them intending evil to the other.
Then the sea-warrior sent a southern spear,
that wounded the lord of warriors.
Byrhtnoth shoved it with his shield, so that
the shaft burst,
and that spear-head broke so that it sprang
out again.
The fighting-warrior became infuriated; he
stabbed with his spear
the proud Viking, who had given him that
wound.
Aged was the army-warrior; he let his spear
go forth
through the neck of the younger warrior,
guided by his hand
so that he reached the life of that sudden
attacker. (130-42)
Then he swiftly pierced another Viking,
so that the mail-shirt burst—that one was
wounded in the breast
through the ring-locks, the poisonous point
stood at his heart. The earl was the happier,
then he laughed, the mindful man, said
thanks to the Measurer
for the day’s work which the Lord had given
him. (143-8)
Then some Viking warrior let go a spear
from his hand,
flying from his fist so that it went too deeply
through the noble thane of Æthelred.
One stood by his side, a young warrior not
fully grown,
a boy in the battle, who very bravely
pulled the bloody spear out of the warrior,
the son of Wulfstan, Wulfmær the young,
let go the exceedingly hard spear go back
again;
the point travelled in, so that he who had
laid his lord
previously onto the earth was wounded
sorely. (149-58)
Then an armored man came up to the
earl—
he wished to carry off the rings of the
warrior,
the armor and the accoutrements and the
ornamented blade.
Then Byrhtnoth drew out his sword from its
sheath,
broad and brown-edged, and struck him in
the byrnie.
Too quickly some sail-man hindered him,
when he wounded the arm of that earl.
The golden-hilted sword fell to the ground—
neither could he hold the stern blade,
or wield his weapon. Nevertheless the hoary
battle-warrior
spoke a word, emboldening his fighters,
ordered them to go forth as good comrades;
then he could not stand fast on his feet for
long. (159-71)
Byrhtnoth looked to heaven:
“I thank you, Wielder of peoples,
for all these joys that I have experienced in
the world.
Now I have, mild Measurer, the greatest
need
that you should grant my spirit the good
that my soul may be allowed to venture unto
you
into your keeping, Prince of Angels
ferrying with peace. I am a suppliant to you
that these hell-harmers shall not be allowed Then the leader of the people was felled,
to injure it.” (172-80) Æthelred’s earl; all saw him,
his hearth-retainers, that their lord lay down.
Then the heathen warriors cut him down
Then there the proud thanes went forth
and both of the men who stood beside him,
uncowardly men hastened eagerly;
Ælfnoth and Wulfmær, both lay there,
they all wished one of two things—
when they gave up their lives beside their
to give up their lives or revenge their dear
lord. (181-4)
lord. (202-8)
Then they retreated from the battle
So the son of Ælfric encouraged them
spineless in the fray.
forwards,
There the son of Odda was first to flight,
a warrior young in winters, speaking in
Godric from the fight, and abandoned the
words,
good man
Ælfwine then spoke, saying valiantly:
who many times often given him a horse;
“I remember the occasions when we often
he leapt on the steed which his lord owned,
spoke at mead,
in those trappings which he had no right to
when we heaved up boasts on the benches,
take,
heroes in the hall, about the dire struggle;
and his brothers were with him, both
now one can find out who is brave.
running away,
I am willing to reveal my lineage to all,
Godwine and Godwig, caring not for the
that I was from a great family in Mercia;
fight,
my old father was called Ealhelm,
but they turned from the war and sought the
a wise alderman, blessed with worldly
forest,
things.
flying into the fastness and protecting their
The thanes among that people must not
lives,
reproach me,
and more men as well, more than was
that I wished to go from this army,
proper,
seeking my country, now my lord lies
if they had remembered all their favors
cut down in the battle. To me that is the
that Byrhtnoth had done for them to their
greatest harm—
glory. (185-97)
he was both my kinsman and my lord.”
So Offa had told him earlier in the day (209-24)
in the meeting-place when he held a moot,
Then he went forwards, mindful of the feud,
that there were many speaking proudly
so that with his spear he wounded one float-
who would not endure the tough going.
man
(198-201)
among his people, so that he lay upon the
earth,
killed by his weapon. Then he urged on his
comrades,
his friends and allies, to go forwards. (225-
9)
Offa spoke, shaking his spear-haft:
“So, Ælfwine, you have urged us all,
thanes at the need, now that our lord lies,
an earl upon the earth. There is a need
for all of us to exhort the other,
warriors into warfare, so long as he can
hold and keep his weapons: the stern
sword,
the spear and the good blade. Godric,
the cowardly son of Odda, has betrayed us
all.
Too many men believed, when he rode
away on a horse,
upon that proud steed, that it was our lord.
Because of that our people are broken up
here in the field,
the shield-wall is shattered. Damn his
deeds,
which encouraged so many a man to flee!”
(230-43)
Leofsunu spoke next and heaved his shield
up,
his shield as shelter; he said to the warrior:
“I promise that I will not flee from here
one step of the foot, but I will go further,
avenging in this struggle my friendly lord.
The steadfast men of Sturmere will not need
reproach me with words, now my friend has
fallen,
that I should travel lordless home,
turned from the war, but I shall take up my
weapon,
both point and iron.” He went forth full
angry,
fought steadfastly, despising to flee. (244-
54)
Dunnere then spoke, brandishing his spear,
a humble churl, calling out over all,
asking that every warrior avenge Byrhtnoth:
“Nor can he flinch back at all who intends to
avenge
his lord in these folk, nor mourn for his life.”
(255-9)
Then they went forth, reckoning not of their
lives.
These retainers fought sternly, fierce spear-
bearers,
and they asked God that they be allowed to
avenge
their friendly lord and work downfall among
their foes. (260-4)
Then their hostage helped eagerly:
he was of sturdy stock from Northumbria,
Ecglaf’s son, he was named Æscferth.
He did not flinch back at all at the war-play,
but he sent forth arrows very frequently;
sometimes he shot into a shield, sometimes
he skewered a warrior,
more than once in awhile he gave someone
a wound,
so long as he was allowed to wield
weapons. (265-72)
Still at the van stood Eadweard the tall,
ready and eager, speaking boastful words
that he would not flee a foot of land,
or bend backwards while his superior lay
dead.
He broke the Viking shield-wall and with
their warriors fought.
until he had worthily avenged his treasure-
giver
upon the sea-men, before he too lay dead
among the slain. (273-79)
So did Ætheric, a noble comrade,
quick and eager to go forth and earnestly
fight.
Sibyrht’s brother and very many others
clove the curved shields, the fierce men
defended themselves—
they burst the rims of shields, and the byrnie
sang out
a certain terror-song. Then in the battle
Offa struck a Viking, so that he fell to the
earth,
and there the kinsman of Gad sought the
ground.
Offa was rapidly hewn down in the battle—
though he had accomplished what he had
promised his lord,
as he earlier vowed to his ring-giver
that they should both ride to the city,
healthy to home, or in the battle perish,
in the place of slaughter, killed by wounds:
he lay like a true thane close to his lord.
(280-94)
There was a crashing of shields. Seafarers
came forth
enraged in the fight; the spear often went
right through
the life-houses of the fated. Then Wystan
went forth,
Thurstan’s son, he fought against the
warriors—
he was in the press, the killer of three of
them,
before Wigelin’s son lay dead among the
slain.
There was a stern moot there. They stood
fast,
warriors in the warfare, warriors perishing,
warriors wearied by wounds.
The slain fell to the
earth. (296-303)
Oswold and Eadwold all the while
both of them brothers, encouraged the
warriors,
their friendly companions they urged with
their words
that they must endure there in their need,
not weakly, using their weapons. (304-8)
Bryhtwold spoke out, heaving his shield
(he was an old comrade), brandishing his
spear;
very boldly he advised the warriors:
“Resolution should be the tougher, keener
the heart,
the mind should be greater when our power
diminishes.
Here lies our lord, all chopped up,
a good man on the gravel. He will always
regret it,
he who thinks to turn away from this war-
play.
I am old in life—I don’t wish to wander
away,
but I’m going to lie down by the side of my
lord,
beside these beloved men.” (309-19)

So Æthelgar’s son emboldened them all,

Godric to the fight. Often he let go of his
spear,
the slaughtering spear flying into the
Vikings,
so he went forth, first in that crowd,
hewing and maiming, until he perished in
the battle.
This certainly was not the Godric who flew
from the fight… (320-5)