How Mediators Can Help Save the Planet
Kenneth Cloke, Santa Monica, CA

Every conflict takes place not only between individuals, but within a context, a culture, and an environment; surrounded by social, economic, and political forces; inside an organizational system, a structure, and a technological setting; among a diverse community of people; at a particular moment in time and history; on a stage, in a milieu or with a backdrop. Is it possible to apply conflict resolution principles to produce less adversarial, more socially collaborative and unifying outcomes? Can mediators help save the planet?

Conducting ADR Training Programs Internationally Across Borders and Cultures
Frank Carr, Alexandria, VA
Robert Randolph, Alexandria, VA
Susan Shearouse, Alexandria, VA
Peter Swanson, Alexandria, VA

This interactive workshop deals with challenges confronting dispute resolution practitioners working internationally to design and implement donor funded ADR programs in developing and transitioning countries. Participants will come away with an understanding of issues that can arise when dealing with funding organizations; finding local partners; managing turf battles with existing or competitor dispute resolution organizations; dealing with the local judiciary and Bar; overcoming cultural barriers; and creating sustainable ADR programs.

Dialogue As a Multistakeholder Process to Face Local and Global Challenges
Elena Diez, Weehawken, NJ
Maureen Juliette Mayne, Weehawken, NJ
Bettye Pruitt, Weehawken, NJ

The primary objective of this workshop is to present a theoretical and practical overview of dialogue as a conflict resolution instrument to solve complex societal challenges. After presenting the conceptual framework of dialogue, panelists will address key characteristics of dialogue processes and introduce participants to various dialogue experiences. They will identify the main challenges this new field faces. A dialogue with all participants will close the session.

Conflict Resolution in India's Modernized Markets
Usha Devrajan, Thevara, Chochin, India
Lisa Singh, Dayton, OH

As India moves into the global marketplace, modernization and intercultural communication difficulties present barriers to successful enterprise as well as stress to employees. This workshop explores traditional cultural values and coming of age in India, and the conflicts arising from modernization and globalization. It provides resources and tools for practitioners interested in Indian business markets.

Lending Support to Grassroots Conflict Resolution Projects Around the World
Kyra Buchko, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
Kathleen Coogan, San Francisco, CA
Joao Salm, Tempe, AZ

Presenters will facilitate a discussion about how practitioners might best lend support to smaller-budget grassroots conflict resolution projects in various regions around the world. A community mediation project in the favelas in Brazil will be described in order to generate ideas for addressing some of its challenges. Participants will leave with examples of how to support grassroots projects in other countries as well as project contacts for potential follow up.

Presentation of International Section's Regional Networks Initiative

The International Section established Regional Networks to support members and colleagues around the world and to promote conflict resolution capacity building. The goal of the Regional Networks is to provide practitioners and conflict resolution organizations across the globe with mechanisms to strengthen networking, facilitate the exchange of ideas and experience, and promote a culture of conflict resolution in particular geographic regions.