AudioBlog: Talking to the Enemy (5/21/12)
Joe Markowitz
I heard an amazing interview on the The World radio program today, with a young American Army commander, Captain Michael Kolton, who decided to reach out and forge a relationship with one of the Taliban commanders that his unit was fighting in Afghanistan.

International Mediation Updates (5/15/12)
Keith Seat
Here is another in a series of updates on international mediation development by Keith Seat, Mediate.com Legal ADR News Editor.

Recent Developments in International Arbitration (5/07/12)
Victoria VanBuren
ollowing are this month’s recent developments in international arbitration law published by the International Law Office (free registration is required to view the articles).

GenWhy--A Site for Young International Mediators (5/07/12)
Aik Kramer
With its platform Generation Why supports young mediators, and through its website enables them to become more visible. Also, Generation Why wants to facilitate this ‘light community’ of young mediators by organizing various kinds of activities. Generation Why is convinced that in future mediators will fulfill an important role in solving social issues. Peer mediators are, by definition, in step with their generation and can help make complex social conflicts involving youth and young adults manageable again.

On Negotiation, Extremism and History - Book Review of Brown's and Marriott's ADR Principles and Practice (5/07/12)
Robert Benjamin
The conflict terrain of the last 30 years is an important backdrop to a complete appreciation of ADR Principles and Practice, Third Edition, by Henry Brown and Arthur Marriott, published by Sweet and Maxwell in 2011. The authors, both from the United Kingdom, demonstrate an appreciation for the vagaries of history and gritty realities of mediation, arbitration and conflict management practice garnered from many years of life and professional experience.

Conflict is Inevitable. War is Not. (4/30/12)
Christianna Gozzi
Conflict resolution practitioners can work to design conflict management procedures which are practical, efficient and usable at every level of society, thus increasing the probabilities that humans will chose a non-violent system over war.

World Intellectual Property Organization Expands Mediation Programs (4/24/12)
Keith Seat

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) continues to expand specialized mediation programs, while dealing with increasing numbers of domain name disputes. WIPO’s Arbitration and Mediation Center had over 2,700 cybersquatting cases in 2011 – a record high – and is preparing measures to preemptively address disputes when ICANN expands the number of new generic Top Level Domains this year. The domain name disputes involved parties from 110 countries, WIPO panelists from 49 countries and resolutions in 13 languages. In addition, WIPO is helping parties resolve disputes from R&D collaboration and technology transfers, working with the Association of University Technology Managers; established procedures to mediate disputes filed with the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore; developed a special mediation process with the International Council of Museums for art and cultural heritage disputes; and is the administrator for mediations relating to material transfers under the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

AG-IP-News (March 6, 2012)

Bridging the Old and the New (4/23/12)
Christine Webb
“New” wars in the Global South are characterized by their hybrid nature. They typically involve a variety of non-state actors, institutions, and stakeholders with equally varied motives and concerns, and highlight a chasm between modern and traditional approaches to conflict resolution.

Russia's New Mediation Law (4/17/12)
Allan Silberman
Russia’s new mediation law, enacted January 2011, established procedures for resolving civil disputes including those dealing with commercial transactions, business activities and labor relations. The legislation also includes measures that regulate relations between the parties that arise during mediation and that govern the role and responsibilities of the Mediator. The legislation, comprehensive in its description of mediation, is designed to promote the use of the process and is seen as a means of alleviating congestion in the nation’s courts.

No Divorcing Please, We’re British (4/17/12)
Jeff Murphy
We have “no-fault divorce” here in the States, but in the U.K. a party suuing for divorce still has to prove cause. Officially the grounds are such serious matters as adultery and abandonment, but it seems the courts will take just about anything presented.

Special Announcement! ACR Annual Conference Keynote (4/02/12)
Rachel Barbour
The Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR) is pleased to announce the Keynote Speaker for the 2012 ACR Annual Conference is Ms. Leymah Gbowee, Joint Winner of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize.

A Little More Conversation (3/26/12)
John Sturrock
The next two years present Scotland and the rest of the UK with a unique opportunity. How we conduct the discussion of the constitutional question (whether or not Scotland should become an independent nation) could be as important as the outcome.

Embedding Mediation in South African Justice (3/26/12)
Jacques Joubert
This is a perspective on the future of mediation in South Africa. It discusses the flaws and benefits of the current system, as well as anticipated developments in the future.

The Ecuador Project: JAMS Foundation & Mediators Beyond Borders (3/26/12)
Chris Poole
Mediators Beyond Borders (MBB) and the JAMS Foundation launched a mediation project inEcuador, providing tools and resources to support growth and professionalization of ADR. At the same time, this project will offer Ecuadorian and American mediators an opportunity for cross-cultural exchange and mutual learning.

Tracking International Aid and Violent Conflict: A Closer Look (3/19/12)
Kyong Mazzaro
The effectiveness of international aid has been the subject of hundreds of empirical analyses. Its relationship with economic development, extreme poverty alleviation, sustainability, and conflict has determined the way in which enormous sums of money and resources are allocated each year- making it also a sensitive subject in the political arena.   1 Comment

International Mediation Updates (3/13/12)
Keith Seat
Here is another in a series of updates on international mediation developments from Mediate.com News Editor, Keith Seat.

Mediation Skills Development Around the World - with Skype (3/05/12)
Giuseppe Leone
This article discusses the practical steps in setting-up an online training system. This model uses Skype and a variety of mediation methods. It is run by the ACR Hawaii Chapter, and is used by mediators from around the world.   2 Comments

Moving Towards Better Dialogue? (2/27/12)
John Sturrock
There is little doubt that the win-lose, black-white paradigm is costly, in money, time, opportunity and dignity. It denies the obvious fact that life is complex, that most people are trying their best in difficult circumstances and that creativity, imagination and compassion are more likely to achieve better outcomes than zero-sum games where there are often only losers.

Guest Blogger: Ashok Panikkar on the Right to Offend (2/13/12)
Brad Heckman
Here’s a guest post from my friend and peacebuilding agent provocateur Ashok Panikkar, Executive Director of the Indian conflict resolution organization Meta-Culture. I’m not sure I agree with everything he says below. But he is quite persuasive…even moreso in person, where he’ll augment his reasoning with infectious laughter and impish charm.

A New Generation of Mediators (2/13/12)
Charlie Irvine
Scotland has not been quick to adopt mediation. I have written before about the wariness shown by some of our most senior judiciary, and Scottish litigators have told me they have more experience of mediation in London than in Edinburgh or Glasgow.

Effective Use of Civil and Commercial Mediation in Poland: Part 2 (2/06/12)
Sylwester Pieckowski
Poland was one of the first EU Member States to enact a detailed and complete legislation on mediation in civil and commercial matters (“Polish Mediation Law”). The Law entered into force on December 10, 2005. This article discusses Polish mediation in civil matters.

The Rise of ADR in Mauritius (2/06/12)
Chris Poole
Today’s post comes from Matthew Rushton, deputy managing director for JAMS International, the international arm of JAMS.

Mediation Works, But Will it Play in Macedonia? (1/23/12)
Michael Diliberto
The article describes the status of mediation in the Republic of Macedonia and the cultural issues that affect whether or not the Macedonian judicial system should adopt compulsory mediation. The article also provides persuasive alternatives from other jurisdictions that are used to encourage mediation.

Mediation in Ireland: Current Trends, Future Opportunities: Part 2 (1/16/12)
Caitriona Heffernan
This is the second article in a two-part series about mediation in Ireland. This article focuses on the current approach to training and accreditation and also looks toward the future.

Ray Shonholtz: The Passing of a Community Mediation Visionary (1/11/12)
Justin Corbett
It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of our friend and colleague Raymond Shonholtz. Ray was a visionary within community mediation from its earliest days.