International Day

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Are you involved in – or interested in exploring – conflict management and resolution at the international level?  If so, International Day is for you!  Start the day inspired by a keynote speaker who facilitates peace processes in areas of the world that are rife with conflict. Then, hear about best practices for and lessons learned from promoting mediation and peacemaking. During the afternoon you will have plenty of time to network, a chance to discuss what is most important to you and other attendees, and the opportunity to contribute to a question and answer session with the recipient of the International Development Committee’s 2008 Outstanding Leadership Award.

8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.   Registration & Continental Breakfast

8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Welcome & Keynote Speaker

 Michael van Walt van Praag

 Executive President & co-founder of Kreddha

Michael van Walt van Praag is the executive president and co-founder of Kreddha, the International Peace Council for States, Peoples and Minorities, based in The Hague.  Kreddha is a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention and sustainable resolution of conflicts between population groups and the governments of the states within which they live. 

10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Break

10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Concurrent Sessions

Getting Past Nyet: Avoiding the Minefields (literal and metaphorical) When Promoting Mediation Abroad

Brad Heckman, New York, NY

This session will examine the presenter’s experience overcoming mistrust, historical baggage, financial challenges, and cultural divides while establishing the first mediation centers in eleven countries throughout post-Soviet Eastern Europe, Eurasia, and the Balkans

Lending Support to Grassroots Mediation Projects Around the World: The Second Year

This session is a follow up to a well-attended session with the same name that leaders of the International Section's International Development Committee (IDC) and Networks Initiative organized last year.   Last year's panel involved participants in a discussion regarding what conflict resolution practitioners could do to help with three specific grassroots mediation projects (in Northern Ireland, Moldova and Brazil).  This year's panel is designed to help practitioners continue the conversation.  Participants will hear about mediation initiatives in the Republic of Georgia, Jordan and elsewhere. 

Women's Participation in Peacemaking Efforts During and After Serious and Protracted Conflicts

Jan Marie Fritz, Cincinnati, Ohio

Mavic Cabrera-Balleza, New York, NY

12: 30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.  Lunch Break

1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.    Open Space

ACR's biggest asset is the diverse experience base and expertise of our members from all over the world.  Come talk about what's most important to you!  Open Space Technology is a facilitation technique that allows participants to determine their own topics of conversation.  Participants group themselves according to areas of interest and hear directly from each other to increase tailored learning and relationship-building

3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.     Break
 
4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.    Presentation of the IDC 2008 Outstanding Leadership Award

                                      and discussion with recipient

And the winner is….  Join us to find out – and to participate in a discussion with the award recipient!  The International Development Committee of ACR’s International Section has created an annual award to honor outstanding work promoting conflict resolution in development projects around the world. The prize aims to celebrate leadership in the field and draw attention to the importance of conflict resolution and conflict management in creating stronger democracies and economies. Partners for Democratic Change received the 2007 award for the organization's work building sustainable local capacity to advance civil society and a culture of change and conflict management worldwide. Judge Gladys Alvarez of Argentina received the 2006 award for her successful efforts to spread mediation throughout Latin America. 

5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.    ACR Welcome Reception and Exhibitors Open House    

Thursday, September 25  

International Section Reception

6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.      International Section Reception Sponsored by Walter Wright

                                       (By Invitation Only)