If you are hoping to expand your conflict resolution horizons, develop your online mediation capacity, and increase your potential for future income, all while elevating the conflict resolution skills of our younger generations, Online Peer Mediation might be your garden to cultivate. According to Peer Mediation Online as of Tuesday, May 10, 2016: THE NEED FOR ONLINE PEER MEDIATION Since the mid 1980s peer mediation has been the most commonly used conflict resolution education program in the United States. Research indicates that as many as 25% of US schools have had peer mediation programs serving grades 3 to12 and many programs in large urban districts are districtwide. However, three important changes in the educational and social context now suggest the need for an online version of peer mediation. 1 Significant and Increasing Online Public Education In formal educational contexts (K through 12) the increase in online schools has skyrocketed. Approximately 3 million K through 12 students are now enrolled in free, online public schools, which are not served by peer mediation. 2 Prevalence and Preference for Online Communication Current schoolage generation prefers to communicate online. For the millions of students in conventional K through 12 schools, community groups, or youth organizations, online peer mediation opportunity is more congruent with their use of social media and communication technology. 3 Global Peer Mediation Growth Peer mediation programs have been growing not only in the United States, but also around the world. In fact, much of the increase in peer mediation since 2000 has happened in Europe, Australia and South Asia. ONLINE PEER MEDIATION PLATFORM (OPMP) For the reasons listed above, in December 2014 the JAMS Foundation funded this Online Peer Mediation Platform (OPMP), a 2-year project initially managed by the Association for Conflict Resolution, and now managed by the Association of Peer…
Author: Owen Tamamoto
Monday, May 9, 2016 Giuseppe Leone, founder of Virtual Mediation Lab, an online mediation project sponsored by the Association for Conflict Resolution Hawaii Chapter, participated in “Online Dispute Resolution: Managing Mediation Online”, a webinar organized by the Professional Mediators’ Association and TCM Group in England. During his brief presentation Giuseppe explained: What online mediation means and how it works Which cases are suitable for online mediation Online mediation benefits How mediators can add online mediation to their practice Check out Giuseppe’s 9 minute presentation.
The time for the Hawai‘i Civil Rights Mediation Training by the Mediation Center of the Pacific and the Hawai‘i Civil Rights Commission has been changed to 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. The training will be conducted on Thursday, May 12, 2016 at the Hawai‘i Supreme Court, Ali‘iolani Hale, 417 South King Street , Room 101, 1st floor.
From the Virtual Mediation Lab by Giuseppe Leone: Monday, May 16, 2016 from 7:00pm to 8:00pm Eastern Time Cynthia Morton and Kristen Woodward will present How to Launch a Successful Peer Mediation Program, a FREE webinar sponsored by the National Association of Peer Program Professionals and the Online Peer Mediation Platform, a 2-year project funded by the JAMS Foundation. Both presenters have extensive experience in peer mediation. During this webinar, they will discuss step-by-step all factors that schools need to consider in order to launch a successful peer mediation program. PRESENTERS Cynthia Morton is the co-coordinator of the Online Peer Mediation Platform. She is the past chair of the Association for Conflict Resolution Education, Research and Training Section and a current board member of the National Association of Peer Program Professionals. Currently, she coordinates a blended countywide peer mediation program. Kristen Woodward serves as the Conflict Resolution Education Specialist for Fairfax County Schools in Fairfax, VA. She is also a team member/trainer for the Online Peer Mediation Platform. She has facilitated over 500 hours of training including Mediation and Restorative Justice as well as consulting with several schools in the issues regarding staff and student conflicts. AGENDA What Peer Mediation Means Peer Mediation Standards – Why They Are So Important Before You Begin, Think About… The Key Role of the Peer Mediation Coordinator Responsibilities of the Peer Mediation Coordinator How to Select a Peer Mediation Theoretical Model Structure of a Peer Mediation Program Scheduling Models Types of Disputes That Can (or Cannot) Be Mediated Length of Training by Level Ethical Principles Evaluation Where to Find Additional Information on Peer Mediation How Online Technology Can Add Value to a Peer Mediation Program Q&A Visit the Virtual Mediation Lab website for free online registration
Hilo, Hawai‘i – May 5, 2016 – KTA, a local supermarket chain celebrating its 100 year anniversary, has made a multi-year commitment to support the training of student peer mediators by Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center. The $15,000 donation over three years is in memory of Koichi and Taniyo Taniguchi, Founders of KTA Super Stores. Peer mediation is both a program and a process where students of the same age-group facilitate resolving disputes between other keiki. This process has proven effective in schools around the United States and in Hawai‘i, changing the way students understand and resolve conflict in their lives. Changes include improved self-esteem, listening and critical thinking skills, and school climate for learning. “We look forward to a most successful program because we believe that early intervention is the best means of prevention,” said KTA Chairman and CEO Barry Taniguchi. During the 2015-2016 school year, over 100 fourth, fifth, and sixth graders have been trained as peer mediators at Hawai‘i Academy of Arts & Sciences, Kea‘au, Kapiolani, Keonepoko, Laupahoehoe, and Mountain View elementary schools. “We so appreciate KTA’s commitment to the well-being of Hawaiʻi Island and people of all ages. The Taniguchis are tireless advocates of community causes, and renowned for their generosity,” noted Kuʻikahi Executive Director Julie Mitchell. “KTA’s key support of the Peer Mediation Elementary School Pilot Project has been critical in leveraging additional interest and funding. We are extremely grateful.” Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center’s vision is a peaceful community where people routinely seek common ground. For more information, call 935-7844 or visit www.hawaiimediation.org.
Are new possibilities for alternative dispute resolution systems and invigorating our local economy being limited by our individual and collective imaginations? Let this video stimulate your thoughts.
Interested in honing your professional skills? The Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine School of Law, offers two Professional Skills Programs in 2016: June 23-25 in Malibu, CA, and October 27-29 in Nashville, TN. The Program in Malibu presently offers these courses: “STAR” – A Systematic Approach to Mediation Strategies Advanced Mediation: Skills and Techniques Family Law Mediation – When Time is Not on Your Side Mediating Complex Construction Disputes Strategic Negotiation Skills Using Practical Tools of Mindful Awareness to Improve the Work and Lives of Lawyers, Mediators, Negotiators, Judges, Arbitrators, and Managers Preventing Bad Settlement Decisions and Impasse: Using Brain Science, Game Theory, Animated Communication, and Micro-Interventions Elder Care Mediation “You’re Fired!” Resolving Workplace Disputes through Mediation and Other ADR Processes Conflict Resolution Consulting: Using Mediation to Improve Organizational Communications, Conflict Coaching, Team Building, Leadership, Change and Systems Design Public Sector Mediation: Skills and Drills The Art of Facilitating Dynamic and Difficult Groups Special course offering this year Acquiring Wealth, Power, and Success, Morally and Ethically The Program in Nashville presently offers these courses: “STAR” – A Systematic Approach to Mediation Strategies “You’re Fired!” Resolving Workplace Disputes through Mediation and Other ADR Processes Strategic Negotiation Skills Congregational Peacemaking: Managing Conflict and Congregational Change Preventing Bad Settlement Decisions and Impasse: Using Brain Science, Game Theory, Animated Communication, and Micro-Interventions Family Law Mediation: When Time is Not on Your Side Practical Mindfulness: Clear and Calm in the Heat of Conflict Advanced Mediation: Skills and Techniques Apology, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation
My name is Hanalei Agamaite and I am 11 years old. I go to Montessori Community School in Makiki. At Montessori, we have done many activities involving peace. One of these activities was donating to Heifer International with the money we raised by selling doggie biscuits. Heifer International is an organization for families in need of an animal that could help them with food and wool. We also do the Peace Table in after school care, where we talk about issues we have at school like bullying and kids talking about each other. We discuss different ways to create a more peaceful school. Another little something we do is P4C, (Philosophy 4 Children). All of the elementary students really love P4C and is something we would like to continue. P4C is about discussing topics that are complex and that have different views. 11 of my peers were selected as an option for a peace poem contest. The judges had to decide which one they liked the most. All of these poems were amazing, but the judges decided on my poem. I’m happy that they recognized all of my peers including me because we all deserved it. I hope my poem has moved people and made their days. Thank You! J
Hanalei Agamaite, a 5th Grader at Montessori Community School on O‘ahu, won the ACR Hawai‘i 2015 Poetry Contest with her poem, “Peace is…”. Congratulations, Hanalei! PEACE IS… Peace is my word, something I’ll do. Maybe help a little one tie her shoe. Peace is support I get from my peers ‘Cause they’re the ones who guide me through fears. Peace is a question, something we don’t know, Like why some people’s lives can go so low. Peace is a dream, an action, or thought, Wondering how Albert Einstein was taught. Peace is the laughter you hear from a child, When you see them running through a field, fast and wild. Peace is the love a husband gives to his wife, It’s an everyday action, because peace is life. by Hanalei Agamaite, 5th Grader at Montessori Community School, O‘ahu
Check out Amrita Mallik’s (ACRH Board Member and a Mediator on the Distinguished Panel of Neutrals at Dispute Prevention and Resolution) latest post: The Modern Era of Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace: What Google’s Project Aristotle Teaches Us About High Functioning Teams Amrita Mallik’s practice includes: Mediations * Facilitations * Workplace Investigations * Coaching * Effective Communication Skills Training * EEO and Diversity and Inclusion Consulting and Training See Amrita Mallik’s profile