Intercultural on the mind...

Continuing with the topic of Intercultural Conflict Resolution, I have Lederach on my mind. Lederach is a peace studies scholar that has a lot to say regarding the understanding a use of culture in the models that are currently used in the world of conflict resolution. One of the things that he talks about is the idea of using the culture as the base for which to base the principles of conflict resolution. Instead of taking the principles and then tailoring them to the culture, you would take the culture and see how the principles can fit into that culture, based on the ideas and cultural understandings of peace that are already in existence within that culture. I love this idea. I also love the idea of Intercultural conflict resolution because in my opinion, we are always dealing with other cultures, and every interaction that we have is one of at least two cultures coming together at a moment in time to have a conversation or an interaction.

With this in mind, I am hoping to continue to better understand the Latino Culture and see how the principles of conflict resolution can then be implemented into the existing cultural understandings of peace and conflict resolution. Obviously as a "gringo" there is only so much that I am able to do, and so much that I can learn without having grown up in the culture, but that WILL NOT prevent me from trying to know and learn as much as possible... because, let's face it, I love la gente latina and I always will. Ideally we will create a program that will be operated by Latinos, which will fill a gap that I may be unable to fill, which is why it is so critical that I do all I can now to prepare the way and make the transition a positive one and a smoother one.

Another term... continuing to learn

Another term, another few internship credits and another great opportunity to continue my learning on peace and conflict resolution. Before talking about some of the things I hope to learn this next term, I would like to reflect a little on the last term and what it meant to me. As I think back upon the work that we were doing last term, I can't help but get excited about the world of conflict resolution, and especially the world of cross-cultural conflict resolution (also known as Intercultural Conflict Resolution). For me it's not the idea that everyone would be hippies and singing kumbaya, or leaving their pantry open for whoever happens to stop by the home; rather, the idea of peace for me is knowing that I don't have to worry when I go outside with my family, and knowing that those around me are cared for on all fundamental levels (emotionally, mentally, cognitively, physically, spiritually). Animosity toward those around would be diminished, and we would work with each other to meet our different interests. The idea of peace is something that every person and every culture define differently. Isn't there a way that we can begin to understand the meaning of peace to others? I don't mean, or want, that every person would have the same definition, but more that a desire to meet the needs of peace that people have would be something that everyone wants (hopefully that makes sense). Obviously, the idea of peace is something that I have had on my mind lately, and continue to understand how I would define it for myself... still working through this one.

In looking at how this would play out in other cultures is something that interests me, and is something that I hope to understand more about through the continuation of this internship. I know and feel that there is a balance for cultures to use methodology of other cultures in the search for peace (mediation methods as practiced in the U.S., and the Latino Culture). It seems like this is a good place to start for the next term.

Silver Lining

    We met back with the couple, and they have come to an agreement, one that they will test out and evaluate in a short little while. Although they still have their difference, that's okay, and it's great that they were able to work together to try and achieve a common goal. That is the silver lining of these mediations, is that there is a glimmer of hope for their relationship to be better than it was when they came in for mediation the first day. I also love that it doesn't have to do with our abilities as mediators, although it is a factor, but it has more to do with the desire of the people to come together and find solutions together to their problems.
    We had another couple come in for mediation, and the same thing seemed to occur, there was a glimmer of hope, that silver lining, even though not EVERYTHING was worked out completely and made anew. Overall, the experience with Centro has been very fulfilling and satisfying for me as a learning mediator. I have enjoyed being able to help the comunidad Latina here in Eugene, because they have a special place in my heart. I hope that the people we meet with can tell that I really care for them and their well-being, and that I sincerely hope that they can leave in a better place than when they came in. Like I said, even though everything isn't perfect, and may never be, there is still that silver lining that keeps me going, to try and be a better mediator and practitioner of conflict resolution.

Following up with help

Obviously I can't go into too many details about mediations that take place at Centro with J (the fellow cohort member) and M (the lawyer volunteering with us), but I am happy to say that I think progress is being made. During the break that we had from the first and second mediation with the parties, they were really trying to make things better. This in and of itself is great, but there is more that goes with it. The couple we were trying to help had some friends that were willing to help as well, and after talking on the phone with their friend for sometime, she thanked us for being willing to help out her friends. I of course thanked her for being willing to help us. This is one of the things that I love most about mediation, is that it more often than not is a collaboration of people that come together for a common goal.
We were also able to meet up as co-mediators and talk about how things went and how we thought the next mediation should start, and where to go from the ending point. This is the debrief of the mediation, to do a reflective evaluation of the mediation and see what we can improve upon, and seek feedback and help from your fellow mediators. It can be very helpful. Something else that I have been enjoying about this process is the spark that has started with a desire to learn more about family mediation. I signed up for a class next term, because I love the idea of trying to help families in any way that I can. Hopefully I am able to help someone, that is why I started studying conflict resolution.

Not too bad...

We had our first official mediation in Spanish at Centro Latinoamericano. We all three met with a couple that has sought services of Centro. Luckily we all three speak Spanish, so the actual translation portion of things was able to be kept to a minimum (which for time sake was probably really beneficial). I personally feel that we were able to leave the mediation on a better foot than what we started on, which is always a good thing... hopefully in the long run the couple feels the same way too. It's also very good to bring three different styles of mediation together and see how you can best work together for the benefit of the parties for whom you are mediating. We set up another appointment with the couple for mid march, so we will see how things go then as well.

On another good note, we met with Community Mediation Services (CMS) and Centro to discuss future work together. We talked about what we envision for Centro and their resource of mediation services for the Latino community. We also talked about training, mentoring and referring of clients from CMS to Centro, when it gets to that point. It was great to see that this is really something that everybody wants, and feels that the community could benefit from immensely. We will continue to work, do research, and collaborate with each other to help the community. Overall, this week was not too bad.

First Mediation soon!

This was definitely a successful week as we are preparing to get our first clients to come in for mediation this upcoming week. We have two couples that are wanting and willing to come in to give it a try, and hopefully we will be able to help them with any issues that they may have. In my honest opinion, I feel that mediation can almost never hurt, because it is still making a step in the direction of trying to better a relationship. This being the case, I think that mediation is a great opportunity for people to come together and try to work on their problems, with a person (or people) that have been trained in facilitating dialogue. One of the things that I like best about mediation and the process/concept is that the mediator(s) isn't there to resolve the issue for the parties, but rather to help empower the parties to resolve the issue through creative and facilitated conversation or exchange. Obviously this is a simplified explanation and concept of mediation, but the idea at its core is what can really help bring people together.
I know that the parties coming in to Centro this week will be preferring Spanish, so it will be a great opportunity for us (cohort member and myself) to use the skills that we have learned in language and mediation. I am really looking forward to it, and hope that all will work out well. Wish us luck...

Patiently pursueing

Projects are fun, challenging, worthwhile and sometimes require patience as things move forward. While I feel as though we have been making progress and moving in a positive direction, I also recognize that this is a time where we need to wait patiently to see how certain aspects of the project unfold (cases, program development). I have to admit that sometimes I am great with having patience, but with projects and plans I like to see things moving along rapidly (admittedly something that I need to work on). Right now we are waiting to see how some cases are developing to be able to work with mediation for the clients of Centro, and hopefully we will be hearing about the progress shortly. This past week in the internship we were able to meet with one of our teachers, he teachers our mediation skills course, and talk about his work in Central America and mediation. We talked about how some cultures and countries would deal with disputes, some of them being along the lines of a mediative process, and how others were more holistic in nature (standing along the banks of the river and talking, not specifically to any one person). It was very helpful to get his insight and suggestions on places to look for good models and concepts that have incorporated the Latino community and culture into the mediation process. And so, we will continue to patiently pursue the various avenues to make this a successful project.