In a Wall Street Journal editorial this week (Peace Processes Never Work), Bret Stephens argues that many if not most high profile peace efforts fail. The facts cited in the article seem imply or even prove that peacemaking is a mostly futile endeavor.
The Fruits of Kindness
April 13, 2010 by |
Few of us encounter such dramatic conversions. However, most of us face situations in which a kind gesture makes a real difference to someone, even someone who has fallen into harming others.
But You Promised!
April 8, 2010 by |
When we pop the hood and peer into the engine of hostility driving a conflict it pays for us to look closely for disappointed expectations. Typically, at the heart of conflict we find broken dreams and dashed hopes.
Assessing Opposition
March 19, 2010 by |
When we attempt to resolve conflict it helps if we dig below the surface to uncover fundamental factors driving conflict. We peel off the skin of the conflict to get at the skeleton in order to remedy basic structural relationship problems.
Revisiting the Manhattan Declaration
February 2, 2010 by |
There are few innovations that compare with Facebook when it comes to no-waiting-required social feedback, particularly the type of feedback that identifies your considerable character flaws in graphic detail. Dare to suggest a popular plan of action might suffer from flaws…
ICRD Engages in Faith-Based Diplomacy
January 24, 2010 by |
When I was a student at the Straus Institute at the Pepperdine Law School I was blessed with the opportunity to study with the Right Reverend Brian Cox who is active with the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy.
Making Decisions
January 9, 2010 by |
A mediator facilitates a process the parties consider fair and just; a mediator encourages candor and respect between parties; and he fosters a collaborative approach to satisfying party interests. Nonetheless, the outcome may be sabotaged by flawed decision-making.
Satisfaction
December 29, 2009 by |
How do we measure success in mediation? Typically we assess party satisfaction. We look at three variables: procedural, psychological, and substantive satisfaction.
Listening to the Story
December 18, 2009 by |
People love stories. We flock to the cinema to experience vicarious thrills, we seek the escape a novel can provide, and we find ourselves glued to the television, mesmerized by scripted drama or unscripted “reality.”
JustPeace
In a recent blog post I spoke of ecumenical and interfaith dialogue. A few days later I discovered the Facebook page for JustPeace, the Center for Mediation and Conflict Transformation of the United Methodist Church.