What's Happening in Conflict Resolution" is a weekly round up of the all the ADR news, jobs, events and more. Check it out each week and view past versions [HERE].

#RenoACR15:Community and Autonomy: A Core Challenge for the Conflict Field

Bernie Mayer, Ph.D.- For as long as I have been active as a conflict specialist (almost 40 years), the question of who we are and how we define ourselves has been a dilemma that has frustrated our efforts to grow our field. Do we define ourselves by our role (mediators, arbitrators, facilitators, collaborative practitioners, ombuds, coaches), our field of practice (family, community, courts, education, organizational, environmental, international, commercial), our location (US, North America, Colorado, International, DC, on-line), or our philosophy (transformative, facilitative, narrative, spiritual, transactional) or some combination of the above. Finding the common core that brings us together among all of this is challenging, and the process has been difficult. Old organizations have been absorbed or disbanded, new organizations have broken away, hard feelings have resulted, and competition among conflict organizations has sometimes overwhelmed cooperative opportunities. We need to respect the desire of different areas of interest to go their own way but also to appreciate and develop the common community that we are all part of. The tension between these apparently contradictory pulls can be exasperating but it is also essential—and a feature of all human interactions.

Read more [HERE]. 

It is time once to prepare for the annual conference on Online Dispute Resolution (ODR), Cyberweek 2015.  This online conference provides a week of activities and dialogue regarding the world of ODR.  Cyberweek 2015 will take place beginning Monday, November 2nd through Friday, November 6th.  And it’s FREE!

We are currently in the process of identifying potential activities for the conference.  Here are some questions to help you consider developing a proposal.

•Is there an ODR topic on which you would like to give a live webinar?  How will those interested in ODR benefit from your expertise? Would you like to convene a panel of 2-3 speakers on a topic?

Read more [HERE]. 

Jobs:

Director, MACRO (Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office/Maryland)

NMA is seeking Contract Managing Director

Ombuds at UC Merced

Contract Ombuds at Inter-American Development Bank

Job: Associate Ombuds, Dept of Energy

Job: Assistant Ombudsman at American Red Cross

Call for Papers: Journal of Peacebuilding & Development

Noam Ebner- JPD is a tri-annual refereed journal providing a forum for critical thinking and constructive action at the intersections of conflict, development and peace

JPD is calling for papers for open issue Volume 11 Number 2. This issue will be published in August 2016. JPD generally offers a space for scholars and practitioners to examine the logic and impacts of dominant policies and practices, and to cultivate visionary, holistic approaches striving to advance collaboration between the fields of peacebuilding and development. Topics advancing these intersections include (see journal back cover for full list):

•    Building resilient and peaceful states, societies and livelihoods
•    Infrastructures for peace and violence prevention
•    Political economy of violence, conflict and peacebuilding
•    Peacebuilding and statebuilding in fragile and conflict-affected contexts
•    Economic dimensions of justice, reconciliation and social cohesion

Read more [HERE].

The Texas Conflict Coach® Blog Talk Radio program announces our "Back to School" series.

The following episodes will air every Tuesday from 5:00-5:30 pm PST/7:00-7:30 pm CST/ 8:00-8:30 pm EST.

To participate, go to the designated link for each program or call-in live at 347-324-3591.

August 4th:  The Sure Fire Way to Stop Bullying NOW!

From top Corporate business woman, to internationally acclaimed author, Anita Telle talks to us about how her child being bullied, changed her and her son’s life as well as the lives of many people from around the world. She has a mission: To teach acceptance and love to children ages 4 – 9 so they will grow up to be amazing, supportive and loving teenagers, immune to peer pressure and bullying. She also has a story to tell. And it’s an important story; one that touches everyone, everywhere, from every culture. But it is especially important for children: Being different IS normal. We are all different, in different ways..

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August 11th: Adolescent Mental Health Disorders

Mental health includes decision making, communication, and handling life’s pressure. When an adolescent has a mental health disorder, it may negatively impact the person’s ability to handle stress and interact with others. The National Advisory Mental Health Council estimates that 1 in 5 adolescents suffer from one or more mental disorders. Although mental illness can be mistaken as normal adolescent development, there are signs and symptoms that an adult can recognize.  Dr. Cynthia Morton will help us recognize these signs and symptons.

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August 18th:  Graduate Student Stressors: 

                          Resolving Conflict and Meeting                        

                          Expectations

The University of Michigan’s Rackham School of Graduate Studies has created a position of Resolution Officer which is responsible for assisting graduate students and faculty members who have issues and conflicts with each other to resolve those conflicts.  The Resolution Officer works directly with both faculty and students, and also facilitates conversations between them and mediates.  Darlene Ray-Johnson's  job includes counseling students about available options, supporting students through  difficult situations, and connecting

                                  students to appropriate resources.

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August 25th: The UnSlut Project: Stop "Slut" Shaming

                         and Sexual Bullying

Have you ever been called a "slut"? If so, how did you feel? Whether you are sexually active or not the term can be hurtful and embarrassing. If you’re a parent of a teen, have you heard about "slut" shaming and the dire effects it can have on your impressionable teenager?  Emily Lindin, who founded of The UnSlut Project in April 2013, found herself in this exact situation when she was eleven. She began journaling about these incidents of "slut" shaming and sexual bullying she faced in school.

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Thank you for listening in and supporting the program.  Please feel free to share this newsletter with your friends and colleagues. 

Pattie Porter, Host, The Texas Conflict Coach®