The Association for Conflict Resolution held its annual conference this fall in Tucson, Arizona. “Heal the Divide: A Focus on the Role of ADR Practitioners in a Divided Society” was attended by MBBI members and conflict transformation practitioners throughout the country to encourage a productive exchange of ideas centered on the peacebuilding role of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in a polarized society. Duncan Autrey, along with MBBI leaders, Jessica Baen, Kenneth Cloke, Jarling Ho, Mary Leichliter, Scott Martin, and Wendy Wood, hosted a panel during the conference to discuss their most recent collaboration; the “Democracy, Politics, and Conflict Engagement Initiative” (D-PACE).

D-PACE is a volunteer-based platform for developing conflict literacy and capacity for interest-based communication in political movements and advocacy organizations. Through the dissemination of a ‘Conflict Literacy Toolkit,’ which is composed of various modules for managing conflict in these groups, their mission is to promote more creative and constructive approaches to conflict and to, effectively, strengthen democracy for a more just society. 

“We all win or we all lose.”

This is a guiding principle for Duncan who, for nearly a decade, has been involved with MBBI, demonstrating his commitment to the design of systems that encourage democratic communication among companies, communities, and governments. Based in Oakland, California, he brings 15 years of experience as a facilitator and conflict resolution specialist to his role with D-PACE. Duncan’s perspective on today’s political climate is that “The pervasive win-lose paradigm is highly destructive,” and conflict transformation practitioners are uniquely positioned to help heal this divide. He described, ” “We have identified a sincere need for conflict resolution capacity-building and literacy both within and among political groups and social movements.” 

Further, “Our goal is not simply to increase civility but to explore our differences without losing touch with our common humanity,” Duncan noted. The D-PACE toolkit is meant to help channel the emotional underpinnings of political passion into effective discussions and concrete problem-solving.

The ‘Conflict Literacy Toolkit’

During the ADR conference, the D-PACE team presented detailed examples of their Toolkit, which comprises twenty distinct modules that can be navigated using a ‘Conflict Decision Tree.’ Circle Processes, Trauma-Informed Skill-Building, Sources of Political and Social Conflict, and Collaborative Negotiation were among the major topics addressed. Duncan explained that every aspect of the toolkit was founded on the belief that, “Conflict looks the same no matter what size it is.” Put another way, conflicts that arise between two people, ten people, entire communities, states, parties, or nations, may be addressed under a singular framework (or toolkit) involving basic mediation practices and interest-based solutions.

To demonstrate this process during their presentation, the D-PACE team split audience members into small groups and facilitated dialogues on numerous issues. Highlighting the diverse experiences and perspectives in the room, the result was shared learning and excitement about the application of ADR methodologies to help political movements and advocacy organizations work through disputes and achieve their missions. “We have created the ‘Conflict Literacy Toolkit’ to engage a broad array of organizational leaders and to bring these skills to the forefront of democracy and politics,” Duncan said.

The toolkit offers many avenues for managing political conflict “… in ways that are nuances, interest-based and omnipartial.” Other modules in the toolkit place a focus on learning how to engage mindfully and manage chronic conflict as well as skills for consensus-building, managing polarity, and mediation for internal and external multi-party disputes.

The Current Need

The democratic political system was created in order to manage shared decisions, resolve conflicts, and uphold the best interests of the people within an inherently divided society. The D-PACE initiative was established on the same premise. Duncan explained, “Government is already a conflict resolution-based system. We are trying to upgrade that system by focusing on the quality of our interactions, understanding what motivates us, and creating spaces for dialogue across these divides.” This is the only way to address the serious challenges ahead.

D-PACE leadership is actively seeking passionate and skilled volunteers to offer support. MBBI members and other interested practitioners are encouraged to visit: www.dpacevolunteer.org For information about volunteering. For more information about D-PACE visit: https://mediatorsbeyondborders.org/what-we-do/projects/dpace/

Article by Juliana Heffern, MBBI Writer

Eunice Salton has thrived on linking various constituencies and facilitating projects to mutually successful outcomes. She is a champion of bridging connections between government, corporate and civil organizations and as a conflict resolution consultant, has fused her business acumen with her commitment to community service. Leveraging extensive experience, she advises groups needing assistance in conflict resolution and moving past their positions to reach mutual understanding, respect, and solutions. 

“The mediation process encourages and empowers participants to experience productive exchanges and explore creative options for resolution and implementing down to earth plans that can drive cultural change and new opportunities … and quite often partnerships.”  

Liaising Internationally through MBBI

As a New Yorker, Eunice is used to the microcosm of cultures and peoples in her city. This feeling is further amplified by her living abroad for several years and at present, in her role as the MBBI United Nations Liaison. Eunice attends as many UN sessions as possible. This allows her to learn the process and current nature of UN negotiations, foster partnerships, participate in events as well as connecting to ambassadors, country representatives, and a variety of private sector and UN officials.  And perhaps most important of all – interact with the people from local communities and grassroots movements worldwide.

“It is so humbling to meet and talk with the people who come here to the United Nations, often at their own peril and costs, to request assistance in making the lives in their countries more peaceful and economically sustainable.”

Additionally, in her role at the United Nations, Eunice is part of the United Nations Multilateral Working Group (UNMWG) and with the team, participates in the MBBI activities that include annual meetings such as the Commission on the Status of Women, High-Level Political Forum and General Assembly.  The team is multidisciplinary and its focus is rooted in an inclusive design thinking approach on sustainable peacebuilding processes supporting MBBI’s objectives such as capacity building, promoting mediation through advocacy and delivering consultancy services worldwide.

Community Initiatives

Eunice is an active member of her community. She began her mediation career as a student at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. This led her to work with the New York courts on family, youth, and community disputes as a member of the Association for Conflict Resolution – Greater New York Chapter (ACR GNY), where she served on the board. She is also an avid advocate of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Inclusion Network.

Eunice is a trained, certified and qualified mediator, arbitrator and conflict coach in New York State civil, surrogate and municipal courts. Furthermore, she is most involved in her community with the Community Dispute Resolution Centers (CDRC), which provide mediation, arbitration and other dispute resolution options as an alternative to court. Every year, CDRCs help thousands of New Yorkers in all five boroughs resolve a wide range of disputes. Eunice, through the CDRCs, provides conflict coaching and mediation for elder care, youth-based mediation, housing and restorative justice. She also mediates for the New York Federal Executive Board Shared Neutrals Program, arbitrates for the State of New York, Part 137, Attorney-Client Fee Dispute Resolution Program and in New Jersey, mediates at municipal courts and community centers. “The most important skill for a mediator is listening. Successful mediation and mediation processes necessitate active and full listening for promoting an environment of trust and safety. It’s about being heard, understanding another’s perspective and developing empathy.” 

In this vein, she also participated as an accomplished facilitator in the U.S. Department of Justice, Community Relations Service program, “Community Dialogue: Conducting a Discussion on Race” within the 32^nd police precinct in Harlem, New York. This is a collaborative project between the Department of Justice (DOJ), the New York Police Department (NYPD), the Association of Conflict Resolution Greater New York (ACR GNY), The Harlem Community Justice Center (HCJC) and additional community groups.  

National Engagements

In New Jersey, she was appointed by the New Jersey Supreme Court to the District Ethics Committee for Middlesex County. Eunice was also appointed by the Middlesex County, New Jersey Assignment Judge to serve on the New Jersey Child Placement Advisory Council (NJ CPAC), a statewide board, which has oversight of children in foster care.  She serves as Vice-Chair and Chair of the Legislative and Program Committees.  In addition, Eunice is a member of the National Council for Graywolf Press in Minneapolis, MN; is a member of the Women’s Forum of New York, where she serves on the Education Fund Advisory Board; and is a member and past director of the Financial Women’s Association of New York.

Eunice also maintains a practice as a business development consultant and her background includes executive positions at the financial publishing imprint, The New York Institute of Finance at Simon & Schuster, a Division of VIACOM; Cavillo, Schevack & Partners advertising agency; JPMorgan Chase & Co.; and Plays for Living a nonprofit training and theater company. She holds an EdS from Florida Atlantic University, an MS from Virginia Commonwealth University and a BA from William Paterson University.

Article by Benjamin Lutz, MBBI Communications and Operations Manager