CUC MONTHLY UPDATES
The Center for Understanding in Conflict
Transforming Emotions and Opinions into Sources of Empathy, Connection, and Understanding.
Hello Friends and Supporters,
As we transition into the fall, we're excited to share the latest updates and offerings from the Center for Understanding in Conflict (CUC). This month, we're bringing you opportunities to connect, learn, and deepen your understanding of conflict resolution. Whether you're new to our community or a long-time supporter, there's something here for everyone.
We invite you to join our upcoming Meet and Greet, where you can engage with others who are passionate about mediation and conflict resolution. Additionally, don't miss our featured article,?Why Mediation Matters: A Path to Understanding, Healing, and Growth,?which explores the transformative power of mediation in today's polarized world.
Looking ahead to 2025, we're excited to announce new offerings that include our?Support and Development Group, designed to help professionals deepen their skills through peer learning and advanced discussions, and our?Workplace Mediation and Conflict Resolution Training, tailored for those managing disputes in organizational settings. These programs will equip you with practical tools and insights directly applicable to your work.
Thank you for everything you do to bring together parties in conflict?everyday!
In partnership,
James Dykeman
Executive Director
FEATURED ARTICLE
Why Mediation Matters: A Path to Understanding, Healing, and Growth
Mediation is more than just a way to resolve disputes; it’s a journey toward understanding, healing, and growth. In a world often filled with misunderstandings, disagreements, and conflicts, mediation stands out as a beacon of hope—a process that empowers individuals to find common ground and move forward together. Imagine sitting down with someone you’ve been at odds with to reach a compromise and truly understand where they’re coming from. It’s about more than just finding a solution; it’s about building a bridge of empathy and connection. This approach transforms how we see conflict, becoming a powerful catalyst for change and growth.
Conflict resolution practitioners’ impact ripples out far beyond the individuals involved. People who mediate rather than fight, litigate, or walk away contribute to a more compassionate and cooperative society. In our increasingly polarized world, where differences often lead to division, practitioners can offer a refreshing alternative—a way to engage with one another that prioritizes dialogue over discord.
BOOK REVIEW
Bridging Troubled Waters: Conflict Resolution from the Heart?by Michelle LeBaron
Michelle LeBaron’s?Bridging Troubled Waters: Conflict Resolution from the Heart?presents an enlightening exploration of conflict resolution that emphasizes the human and emotional aspects often overlooked in conventional approaches. The book’s profound emphasis on emotional intelligence, cultural awareness, and deep listening aligns with the understanding-based approach, offering an inspiring lens through which to examine and address conflict.
LeBaron’s work is grounded in the belief that effective conflict resolution must engage with the full spectrum of human experience, not just the rational or logical components. This resonates deeply with the understanding-based approach, which prioritizes the relational dynamics and underlying interests of all parties involved. The author argues that conflicts cannot be truly resolved unless we consider the emotional and cultural contexts in which they occur. This holistic view challenges the more transactional approaches that often dominate the field, where the focus is on settling rather than fostering mutual understanding and connection.
THE OTHER CHAIR PODCAST
Staying Fresh in the Field with Guest Catherine Conner
This episode of The Other Chair guest is Catherine Conner explores the value of ongoing professional development and the importance of refreshing core fundamentals for understanding-based mediators and conflict resolution practitioners, including peer support, continuous self-reflection work, and evaluating prior cases and model application.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
Our flagship experiential certificate training program centered in the Understanding-Based Model
Working Creatively with Conflict
Realistic simulations, in which participants work through mediations from beginning to end, with coaching from our teachers, offer participants the chance to hone their skills and experience the emotional challenges faced by parties in dispute. Participants describe these different learning modes and their interplay as enjoyable, engaging, and rewarding.
California
November 6 - 10, 2024, March 5 - 9, 2025 & November 5 - 9, 2025
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领英推荐
Workplace Mediation
The 40-hour Workplace Mediation and Conflict Resolution Training is tailored for professionals involved in managing workplace disputes, such as HR leaders, managers, and consultants. The program teaches participants to mediate conflicts using the Understanding-Based Model, focusing on neutrality, enhancing understanding, and fostering collaborative solutions. Training includes interactive role-plays and simulations that immerse participants in real-world workplace mediation scenarios.
The sessions are conducted online and provide a comprehensive approach to handling conflict within organizations, equipping participants with skills directly applicable to workplace mediation
Navigating Difficult Conversations
Join our expert-led series focused on transforming high-stakes conversations into opportunities for deeper understanding and connection. Over multiple sessions, you’ll learn practical strategies for managing conflict, de-escalating tension, and fostering open dialogue. Grounded in values of empathy, clarity, and collaboration, this series equips you to navigate difficult dynamics and build stronger, more trusting relationships. Ideal for professionals, mediators, and anyone facing challenging interactions.
Support and Development Group
The CUC Support and Development Group is a virtual series that meets monthly for five months. This small, focused group offers professionals trained at the Center for Understanding in Conflict the chance to deepen their skills, explore complex cases, and discuss challenges they face in their practice. Facilitated by experienced trainers, the sessions emphasize peer learning and advanced topics in mediation. It's a valuable opportunity for growth and connection within a supportive, understanding-based community.
WEBINARS
Effective Mediation in Small Claims Court
Join Antoinette Delruelle and Michelle Minovi on September 19, 2024 to learn about the nuances of small claims court mediation using the understanding-based approach. This session will cover essential best practices and address common challenges, including managing tight time constraints, fostering meaningful interactions between mediators and clients, and handling pressures from the court to reach a swift decision. Gain insights into maintaining the integrity of the mediation process while ensuring fair and effective outcomes in a high-pressure environment
Constructive Conversations: Understanding-Based Workplace Applications
Unresolved conflicts in the workplace can lead to disengaged employees, reduced productivity, and other negative impacts stemming from interpersonal tensions. In this webinar, join Catherine Conner and Pat Lau on October 7, 2024 to explore a model for fostering constructive conversations, guiding participants to prepare for and engage in meaningful dialogues about the content of conflicts and their underlying relationships. This approach is applicable not only in the workplace but also in any setting where conflicts arise, offering valuable insights for anyone seeking to navigate and resolve disputes
COMMUNITY VIDEO FOR SEPTEMBER
Emotions and Rationality in Mediation
The webinar explores how emotions and rationality interact in mediation. It emphasizes that both are essential for effective conflict resolution. Mediators should help parties express and understand their emotions, which often reveal underlying needs, and guide them toward rational problem-solving. The understanding-based approach encourages integrating emotions with logic to create a more collaborative and satisfying resolution. Strategies for managing intense emotions and maintaining balance in discussions are also discussed.
Support the Center with a CUC Connect Membership and enjoy interactive monthly webinars, over 50 program recordings, and professional support!
The Center for Understanding in Conflict is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.