5/21: S.O.S.'s 'Violence Interrupter' Patrol Squad Featured in USA Today read 5/16: Ex-cons step in to mediate conflict, prevent gun violence read 5/15: Mediation program for New Orleans police, citizen disagreements is in the works read 5/12: McMinnville bumps mediation funding read 5/11: UCSB Extension Mediator Provides Prisoners with Tools for Peace read 5/02: CAN: City eyes mediation service to resolve feuds between neighbours read 4/12: Those People Next Door - In the wake of a notorious and grisly murder, mediators have been trying to mend fences – and keep neighbors sane. read 4/04: Wildwood High School uses prevention, peer mediation to stop bullying read 3/27: Cities and county head to mediation over who pays for anti-corruption watchdog read 3/26: Malaysia - Koh: We need more mediators read read all
On Beating Bullies (5/14/12) Michael Jacobs Tackling bullying may involve a counter-intuitive approach. While naming and shaming may leave us feeling morally superior, it might also produce ever more subtle forms of bullying. This article argues that we need to encourage those of us who feel like kicking butts to ‘come in from the cold’. 3 Comments
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.
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.
The State of Community Mediation (3/19/12) Justin Corbett The National Association for Community Mediation (NAFCM) has released its much-anticipated new report: The State of Community Mediation. This fieldwide assessment is the most comprehensive in nearly a decade, and includes many never-before reported statistics detailing the size, scope, and impact of the the community practice area.
New York Mediation Centers Seek Restoration of Funding (1/31/12) Keith Seat
Mediation centers in Westchester and Rockland, NY, are leading a statewide advocacy campaign to restore funding for community mediation, following deep cuts during last year’s state budget crisis. The campaign is collecting online signatures, focusing on the cost effectiveness of community mediation centers where 100,000 people resolved conflicts last year, decreasing the pressure on overburdened courts. The average cost per dispute at community mediation centers is $300, far less than even minor court proceedings.
A Mediator's Reflections on the Occupy Movement (1/30/12) Grace Eagle Reed The police in Portland, unlike other cities of its size, became national examples of progressive community policing during the Occupy Movement. By calmly responding to the conflict around them, they are open to ongoing community feedback, are continuing to look for ways to do a better job and are using better judgment when they have to restrain protestors. Their patience and openness is appreciated by all involved. It is also the perfect example of a counter-story peacefully challenging the accepted stock story, for the betterment of all involved.
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.
Ray Shonholtz: Visionary and Model (1/10/12) James Melamed It was during the time of Ray Shonholtz transitioning from being the founding director of San Francisco Community Mediation Boards to his founding Partners for Democratic Change that Ray and we worked together. Ray was interested in my thoughts on technology and organizing. He wanted to know how we could help the emerging Eastern European Republics, fresh on the heels of the Soviet Union crumbling. What resulted was the opportunity of a lifetime. 1 Comment
Citizen Participation, Media Hype and… Dogs (1/02/12) Aik Kramer A while ago, I facilitated a public meeting about dogs in the municipality of Zandvoort (Holland), a fishermans village that, over the years, has transformed itself into a tourist beach resort. It houses approximately 16.000 inhabitants and, with the seasons, has a flow of millions of tourists each year. There are hotels, cafes, clubs, a race-circuit, and of course, there’s the beach itself.
Towards Crowdsourced Online Dispute Resolution, Part 3 (1/01/12) Jaap Van den Herik, Daniel Dimov Using crowdsourcing for solving disputes is a subject that has not been discussed in many scientific publications. However, since Crowdsourced Online Dispute Resolution (CODR) provides a cheap, fast, and democratic dispute resolution, it has a potential that needs to be explored scientifically. How should eBay solve otherwise 60 millions disputes per year? (This is a Part 3 in a 3-part series.)
Divorce (In Itself) Does Not Pose Risk For Children (1/01/12) Andra Brosh “It is not divorce in itself that can lead to problems in children. It is the divorce linked to interparental conflict, a lack of co-parenting, an unsuitable family climate, etc.,” according to Priscila Comino, a researcher at the University of the Basque Country’s (UPV/EHU) Faculty of Psychology.
Mediator Excellence and Self-Awareness (12/12/11) Louise Phipps Senft Louise Phipps Senft discusses mediator self-awareness. She looks in-depth at how it aids the mediation process, and MACRO's process to use self-awareness to assist mediators become excellent.
Why Sucking Up at Work Isn’t a Bad Thing (12/05/11) Vivian Scott Brownnoser, suck up, and backslapper are just a few of the monikers folks at work get when they have the boss mesmerized and delivering whatever they want. Coworkers may like to point out a yes-man’s flaws and make a lot of noise about his behavior, but that doesn’t stop a teacher’s pet from receiving special attention and perks.
When a Bully Refuses to Dance! (11/28/11) Phyllis Pollack Recently, I posted blogs on the necessity of “dancing” and on “difficult people”. This past week, both topics collided in a mediation! What an experience!
Effective, Respectful, Communication—Lessons from Occupy Santa Rosa (11/21/11) Lorraine Segal Consensus building, like other valuable parts of negotiation and conflict resolution, is often messy and time consuming, but the result can be a vibrant, inclusive process of reaching decisions to which people feel deeply committed.
Deciphering Life via Game Theory (11/04/11) Phyllis Pollack Mr. Mubarak’s influence waned as cuts in American aid threatened his ability to keep cronies in the army and security forces happy. Underemployed citizens then realized that disgruntled officials would be less willing to use violence to put down street protests against the ailing dictator.
Taking the "Me" Out of Mediation (10/24/11) Delores Manwar The "Me" impacts many areas of the mediation process. We can leave the “Me” out of mediation and replace it with an armor of understanding, empathy, open mindedness, and non-judgmental practices. 2 Comments
Mediate.com: A Reality Check (10/17/11) Steffi Berkowitz You are about to read an atypical article/testimony honoring two October celebrations. In truth, both are dedicated to raising awareness, promoting education and helping people understand options on a journey they did not seek. In truth, both provide a respite for determining outcomes by building knowledge and support irrespective of heart-rendering tales and underlying stories.
Don't Shoot (10/17/11) Joe Markowitz First, recognize that the number of people responsible for the vast majority of violence in most cities is relatively small. So concentrate on those people. Next, let the street gangs know that violence will no longer be tolerated.
New York Mediation Centers Face Cuts in State Funding (9/06/11) Keith Seat
With significant budget cuts to New York’s Unified Court System, the court is cutting in half last year’s $9.6 million in funding for a network of conflict resolution centers in the state. Although centers are seeking other funding and considering new fees, the cuts are resulting in layoffs of staff, limiting the number of matters that can be handled even with volunteer mediators. The cutback in mediation is expected to increase pressure on the crowded court system which is itself facing personnel cuts.
Tips for Talking to the Media about Collaborative Practice (8/22/11) Elizabeth Ferris You have been trained in collaborative practice, you know it can benefit clients and their families and you want to educate the public and attract more clients to your practice. Unfortunately, in your community not enough people know about Collaborative Practice and the value it can provide.
A Community that Binds is a Community Alive (8/15/11) Jason Dykstra What does the word community mean to you?
There are many definitions out there…some of them referring to geographical location, some common values or goals, a common identity, intent, or belief.
