Volume 2, Issue 1  |  SEPTEMBER 2023    

Quarterly Tip: Match your conflict resolution method to the issue.

"The courts of this country should not be the places where resolution of disputes begins. They should be the places where the disputes end after alternative methods of resolving disputes have been considered and tried." - Sandra Day O'Connor

Conflict can occur anywhere, in any situation where two or more people disagree. Sometimes conflicts are resolved in court, but as Sandra Day O'Connor noted, effective resolution can (and should) take many forms. If you do an online search for “conflict resolution,” you’ll find articles and tips on a wide variety of practices, from couples counseling to international peacebuilding. No single conflict resolution approach works in every conflict situation, thus there is no shortage of creative ways practitioners and participants can work toward resolution. We hope this newsletter provides a snapshot of the diversity of conflict resolution approaches and methods.

Did you know?

Definition Harvard Law School’s Program on Negotiation website defines conflict resolution as “the informal or formal process that two or more parties use to find a peaceful solution to their dispute.” But there are many processes for coming to peaceful resolution. What are the "best" conflict resolution methods? Many methods In fact, there is no one conflict resolution method that works in all situations. For example, the field of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) developed in part to address a backlog of court cases and includes formal processes like early neutral evaluation, mediation, and arbitration. But other “branches” of conflict resolution developed for other reasons and include: international peacekeeping and preventive diplomacy; civil discourse and civic engagement; grassroots methods like community-based restorative circles; indigenous practices rooted in spiritual and cultural traditions; and many more! Collectively, the diversity of practices in the conflict resolution field means there is a vast array of tools for addressing conflict, no matter its form. The common thread is finding a peaceful resolution to disputes.

News from the Field

Conflict Resolution Day Conflict Resolution Day is a chance to better understand and promote the use of diverse approaches and celebrate the contributions of conflict resolvers worldwide. In 2005, the Association of Conflict Resolution (ACR) created Conflict Resolution Day, which is celebrated internationally every year on the third Thursday in October. In 2023, Conflict Resolution Day will be celebrated on Thursday, October 19th. OCDR encourages anyone reading this newsletter to share with their networks an interesting fact about conflict resolution history or a tool that you learned about in this newsletter! Conflict Resolution Annual Conference Another conflict resolution event happening this fall is the Association of Conflict Resolution (ACR) annual conference, taking place October 4-6, 2023. The conference includes sessions on: Family Conflict Across the Lifespan: An Opportunity for Collaboration Leading Divided Communities: Local Elected Officials on the Front Lines Peer Mediation in Nigeria: A Global Mission to Save Children Like the field itself, these sessions speak to many different types of conflict situations and methods, tools, and practices to address them. See the full conference schedule here: ACR_2023_Conf_Full_Program.pdf (ymaws.com)

Practice and Learn

The information and practices highlighted below show the diversity of approaches in the conflict resolution field.

Practice

• Event: Post a tool, practice, article, or podcast episode on social media to promote conflict resolution in your network on Conflict Resolution Day which falls this year on Thursday, October 19^th.
• Training: Interested in workplace conflict and the growing field of organizational ombuds? Review the many training opportunities for new and experienced ombuds on training options on the International Ombuds Association’s website.
• Tool: Tammy Lenski offers dozens of modules in her fee-based Conflict Resolution Toolbox on preventing and managing conflict. Tools use mediation and negotiation best practices.
• Tool: For couples who need support in addressing conflict, here are free online tools you can use today.

Learn

• Organizational handbook: The U. S. Office of Personnel Management’s brief Alternative Dispute Resolution Handbook outlines practices that organizations can use to prevent and manage conflict.
• Podcast: Hosted by Kwame Christian, the Negotiate Anything podcast includes interviews with experts in mediation, psychology, business and other fields to help you negotiate in difficult situations.
• Online conversation: NAFCM’s D. G. Mawn and Libby Hoffman (author of The Answers are There), discuss peacebuilding strategies in this 1.5 hour conversation, “Building Peace from the Inside Out."

Other News From the OCDR Team

Minnesota is home to many organizations working to prevent and resolve conflict and build understanding across difference. On Friday, Sept. 29th OCDR is hosting a virtual convening focused on bridge-building and civic health in Minnesota. This gathering includes a wide array of individuals and organizations doing bridge building work. The goal of the conversation is to connect efforts across the State. For more information, contact Katie Pratt at katie.pratt@state.mn.us or watch for the next issue of the OCDR newsletter for take-aways from the convening conversation!

Feedback

Do you have feedback on this newsletter, or articles, tools or resources you'd like to share? Use our feedback form to submit your thoughts. If you share an idea or tool with us, we may feature it in an upcoming newsletter!