Sharing an interesting article… Originally posted at YesMagazine.org by Yasmeen Wafai on Jul 10, 2019 Research suggests that structured engagement with someone who holds divergent views can be transformative, even without a concrete resolution. Putting two people with diametrically opposed viewpoints in a room together may seem frightening to most, but one research lab has been doing it for nearly 20 years. The Difficult Conversations Lab was founded in the early 2000s by Peter Coleman, a professor of psychology and education at Columbia University. He said the lab was created to study deeply rooted, complicated, and hard-to-solve conflicts. He wanted to understand why conflicts in families, communities, and in the international arena get stuck in a destructive pattern. He based his idea for the lab on other projects like the Gottman Institute’s Love Lab for couples therapy. Coleman said researchers at the lab measure people’s attitudes on a series of issues through surveys, then find people who are on opposite sides of a particular issue and invite them to the lab for a conversation. They choose currently relevant topics like abortion, free speech, race relations, and politics. Researchers study the conditions under which the conversations go well, or well enough, whether the participants continue to speak with each other, and where they stop the conversations out of frustration, he said. Contrary to expectation, these conversations do not always go sour and are sometimes constructive, Coleman said. It is not that participants are solving the issues themselves, but they are creating the space to learn something about themselves, the issue, and other viewpoints. “What we’re doing is not some sort of magical experience that transforms people,” Coleman said. The lab has conducted several hundred conversations, and the research is ongoing, he said. The conclusions the team have reached so far depend on…
Categories
Our New Events Page
Aloha everyone, We have a new event calendar! We would love to post as many of the peacebuilding / conflict resolution related events in our new Events page. Please e-mail your event information to acrhawaiichapter@gmail.com so we can post it in our event page to spread the words about your awesome event. Mahalo!
Categories
Sharing Lanai Today Article on Mediation
Sharing a nice article published in May 2019 issue of Lana’i Today contributed by one of our Board members, Tricia Morris: Even in the Land of Aloha and Rainbows, conflicts and disputes arise in our daily lives. Hawaii has a long and beautiful tradition of resolution and facilitation of disputes. In each community, there was an elder or wise-one who was respected by others. They were neutral witnesses who helped the disputing parties resolve their conflicts in a peaceful way. This tradition has inspired the current facilitators / peacemakers such as Dr. Peter Adler, who was the Founder and Executive Director of The Neighborhood Justice Center in Honolulu in 1979. This later became the Mediation Center of the Pacific. More recently, I, the writer of this article, became similarly inspired. The courtroom is a relatively modern method of settling conflict. Mediation and facilitation of resolutions compares very favorably with similar matters that have been taken thru the Courts. Courtrooms often exacerbate the hostility between people, while mediation restores harmony. Courts have limited time and the “arguments” are directed to the legal advantage and intellectual perspective. Relationships are usually damaged further in court proceedings where in mediation they are generally preserved or enhanced. Mediation allows parties a chance to be heard, to express their grievances or defenses at an emotional level and be heard within a safe environment. The meetings are facilitated by an impartial trained mediator, often called a Neutral. This leads to a productive dialogue and negotiation with intent toward a mutual solution that is acceptable to both parties. Life happens. Conflicts are valuable in that they allow people to express the hurts, upsets, and differences that occur with living and relating. Too often “sweeping under the rug” leads to unexpressed feelings and resentments that lead to more of…
Conflict Resolvers: Considering “Signature Moves” Reflect on your own and maybe learn some new ones by Elizabeth Kent Do you have tried and true processes and techniques that you use in your work? Certain phrases, stories, or metaphors? This interactive presentation will explore these “signature moves” and challenge attendees to think about the most effective ways to address challenges. When: June 6, 2019 12 – 1pm Where: Hawai`i State Judiciary MPR 101 417 S King St Honolulu, HI 96813 Click here for the event flyer. Click here to reserve your seat!
Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution Presents: 32nd Professional Skills Program in Dispute Resolution June 20-22, 2019 Malibu, CA $100 off general registration fee ends May 10! Featuring a panel of nationally recognized experts in dispute resolution, this comprehensive program provides two and a half days of unique educational opportunities for practicing professionals. Participants will network with nationally prominent faculty, as well as participants from the other specialties at plenary sessions, lunches, and receptions. Early enrollment is recommended since many of the sessions fully subscribe. 11 courses offered Click to view course descriptions & registration link. straus.pepperdine.edu
Aloha, ACR Hawaii Chapter Board of Directors met in two strategic sessions to define the direction we are moving forward together to serve our members and community in the most impactful way. Dr. Peter Adler facilitated the discussions to help us take a deep look into ACR Hawaii Chapter to articulate what we are all about to help us continue thriving forward. We are very energized can’t wait to finalize the ideas discussed to share with everyone and implement! Since the strategic sessions Dr. Adler facilitated were very effective, we wanted to share the types of services he offers in the brochure below: Peter Adler – BROCHURE Mahalo, Dr. Adler!
Aloha, Join the Mediation Center of the Pacific and its supporters to celebrate 40 years of mediation at its annual fundraiser, Under the Mediation Moon on April 13th at the Hawaii Convention Center. To commemorate this important milestone, MCP will be honoring four individuals whose dedication and support of MCP over the years have enabled it to grow and become a critical resource in Hawaii’s communities: William “Bill” Darrah, William Hoshijo, Dorothy “Dee Dee” Letts, and Bruce McEwan. Enjoy delectable dishes, fine wines, and collaborative camaraderie while reveling in the music of local band Asian Blend with a special guest appearance by Henry Kapono. Your participation in this fundraiser will help MCP continue to provide mediation and dispute resolution for individuals in the low-income, gap group, and vulnerable populations. We are so grateful for the support and involvement of our champions and volunteers who have enabled MCP to assist over 6,000 people annually in the prevention and resolution of conflict. We hope you will join us on April 13th to celebrate the accomplishments of MCP over the past 40 years! Find out more information and purchase a ticket by visiting http://mcp40years.givesmart.com/ Katie Ranney Special Programs Coordinator CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF MEDIATION IN HAWAII The Mediation Center of the Pacific, Inc.
Greetings Fellow Association Members, May this message find each one of you in good health. Attached are the results of the recent member and lapsed membership surveys. Mahalo for your time and effort in responding to the surveys. The responses will aid the board when it makes its recommendations for future courses of action. Mahalo also to our board members for their stellar work in administering the surveys and preparing the Final Report. 2019 ACR Hawaii Survey Results We hope to see many of you at Lou Chang’s “My Grand Brand Workplan” on April 9th. There is also an option to participate remotely. Click here to register. Aloha, Owen
From Message from ACR 3.5.19… ACR Webinar March 13, 2019 How Ombuds Foster Ethical Organizations by Liz Hill Description: Interested in an ethical culture? Build an ombuds program. Ombuds serve as an impartial third party to help facilitate informal and confidential communications up and down the chain of command. Independent from leadership, legal, compliance, human resources, and other reporting functions, ombuds serve to promote fairness, equity and accountability and have no vested interest in the outcome of issues of which they are made aware…. link here to continue reading and REGISTER March 13, 2019 at 3:00 pm Eastern.
This is from ACR 3.5.19 message… ACResolution Call for Articles: “Educating the Next Generation” The Editors are currently seeking your contributions for the next issue… Link here for submission details. email: publications@acrnet.org Help Shape the 2019 Conference… We had over 150 proposals submitted for workshop consideration! Thank you! The proposals are currently being reviewed by the Section Leads and Conference Committee Chairs. Presenters will be contacted once the review process has concluded. In the meantime, there are many opportunities to get involved and help shape this years conference to reflect the type of ACR Conference you want to attend. Link here to read about the conference focused work-groups and volunteer today! For more conference information and to get involved, email: acrconference@acrnet.org