Whats Happening 05.31.11

"Direct experience is not enough. Virtually any method of resolution may prove effective in addressing one or two situations of conflict. But we often do not know why. It might be because they are sound methods, because the particular method happened to work well with a particular type of conflict, because the intervener was particularly skillful or artful, or because of random luck. This gap between the science and practice of conflict resolution presents a dangerous challenge to the field of peacemaking today, particularly when it involves the high-stakes world of our most deadly, enduring conflicts."

See the full text of Peter T. Coleman's article here.

ADR Foundations

Nicole Bohe- I recently came across an news article talking about real estate agents who were certified as negotiation experts. Some further research led me to their program's website, which detailed topics covered in 2-5 day seminars for real estate agents. (Disclaimer: I have no connection to the program and I am not promoting it. I just think it was a thought-provoking concept to share with you all). I found myself looking into it further because it had not occurred to me that real estate agents would benefit from negotiation training. To me, most agents are born to negotiate with how easy they make it look! But it showed me yet another career path where ADR skills run parallel to the substantive knowledge required to succeed in a industry/career field.

JAMS Foundation Awards More than $100,000 in New Grants

The nonprofit JAMS Foundation announced that it approved five new grants to organizations using innovative ways to promote and advance conflict prevention and dispute resolution. The foundation will distribute the money in the form of two Foundation Grants, which provide financial support up to $50,000 for ADR initiatives with national impact, and three Opportunity Grants, which award up to $10,000 for smaller scale and more localized projects.

[Read More]