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].

A chocolate bar may help negotiation skills, Clarkson researchers say

POTSDAM -- A chocolate bar might help one negotiate their next business deal, say Clarkson University researchers who are teaming up for a series of studies on the effects of caffeine, cocoa and dark chocolate on cognitive function and fatigue.

Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy and Physician Assistant Studies Ali Boolani is researching the effects of synthetic versus natural caffeine and adaptogens on the mind and body. His research focuses on the effects each has on cognitive function, mood, fine motor task performance, blood pressure and heart rate, Clarkson said.

Read more [HERE].

Famous Negotiators: Tony Blair’s 10 Principles for International Co...

In his recent memoir, the former world leader highlights lessons from the peace process in Northern Ireland. One of the world’s most famous negotiators, Tony Blair, offers 10 principles to guide diplomats in international conflict resolution.

Upon his election as Prime Minister of Great Britain in May 1997, Tony Blair made peace negotiations in Northern Ireland his first order of business, he recounts in his memoir, A Journey: My Political Life (Knopf, 2010).

3. Attend to minor matters.

Mediators of a conflict are often frustrated to hear disputants complaining about minor losses while overlooking their larger gains. But Blair advises against making such value judgments.

Because seemingly petty issues typically are symbols of larger, critical issues, they deserve mediators’ full attention.

During the Northern Ireland negotiations, for instance, Blair says he became familiar with the exact location of every single watchtower the British army used in the IRA borderland of South Armagh.

The watchtowers, a surveillance tool of the British army, were a source of contention for the Republicans. Negotiating the removal of the towers had to occur “bit by bit,” says Blair.
“Such small things can be traded,” writes Blair. The process of exchanging small concessions brings parties closer to agreement but can leave them “in a state of more or less permanent complaint.”

Inevitably, each side comes to believe it has moved the most. Third parties face the task of helping negotiators see the forest instead of the trees.

Read more at the Harvard Program on Negotiation [HERE]. 

Giuseppe Leone- In December 2014, the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR) Education Section received a 2-year grant from the JAMS foundation for a project called Online Peer Mediation Platform (OPMP).

Virtual Mediation Lab is one of the four organizations who participate in this innovative project, whose 4 goals are:

1 - Show how children from ages 10 to 18 can learn online how to become peer mediators. This feature will be available in 2016.
2 - Show how children can practice their peer mediation skills online with the assistance of qualified mentors. This feature is available now.
3 - Show how children can offer online peer mediation services. This feature be available in 2016.
4 - Provide anyone who is interested in peer mediation extensive information on this topic; for example, standards, useful links, research on peer mediation effectiveness, policies and laws, resources (e.g. curricula and videos). This feature is available now.

The OPMP website (with the two features already available) will be launched during the upcoming ACR Annual Conference in Reno, Nevada – October 7-10, 2015 - http://goo.gl/wngQQN

U.S. says Assad must go, timing down to negotiation

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Saturday Syria's President Bashar al-Assad has to go but the timing of his departure should be decided through negotiation.

Speaking after talks with British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond in London, Kerry called on Russia and Iran to use their influence over Assad to convince him to negotiate a political transition.

Read more [HERE].

When Impasse isn’t a Failure

I have heard several judges talk about the value of mediation. And most often it’s about the benefits of having parties sit down prior to going to court and coming to an agreement. Sure … this saves the court time and money and opens up the calendar for cases that really need to be litigated.

I have also heard some judges say that even when parties do not come to an agreement, there is still value in the process.

What do they mean?

The Lines of Communication are Opened and Information is Exchanged

Read more [HERE].

Jobs:

Ombuds for The Nielsen Corporation

Ombuds for International Monetary Fund

Ombuds / Associate Director at Georgia State University

Chief Ombuds Officer at Syracuse City School District

Ombuds at San Manuel Band of Mission Indians

Ombuds Director at University of Colorado