RPEC Conflict Resolution Programs
What is Conflict Resolution?
Conflict is a normal and essential part of life. However, conflicts may sometimes become violent and destructive. The ways we deal with human differences and with conflict can divide us, and inhibit our ability to confront and solve shared problems.
We believe human beings can learn to deal with interpersonal and inter-group differences. In fact, developing the skills to settle or transcend our differences is essential to creating a world where people live together in peace.
Our workshops help participants develop an understanding of conflict and the skills needed to resolve disputes in a peaceful, nonviolent way. They offer experiential training and practice in the theory, skills, and techniques of conflict resolution. Our workshops emphasize five themes: affirmation, bias awareness, communication, cooperation, and problem solving.
The Richmond Peace Education Center bases our trainings on these beliefs:
1. Conflict is an opportunity for growth that requires a significant shift in attitude and world view. In our trainings, we spend time getting participants to examine their own attitudes about conflict.
2. Effective teaching about conflict is participant-centered. It begins with participants' own experiences of conflict and their own questions about it.
3. There are many possible responses to conflict. Skill in conflict resolution means understanding the variety of responses available in a conflict situation, and recognizing the appropriate response to use.
4. Conflict resolution is not an isolated set of skills. It is an integrated process that happens when one is confronted with a real problem. It involves a planned, systematic way of thinking about how to handle differences.
Our Programs:
Nonviolent Conflict Resolution Training
We offer programs for children, workplaces, community groups, and parents. Conflict resolution training teaches students and adults important life skills. It can help people learn to address and resolve their own conflicts at work, in school, or in other community settings.
We offer short workshops that provide a basic introduction to conflict resolution, intensive one- or two-day sessions, or a more extensive series of workshops. We will consult with you in planning the training to meet your specific needs.
Workshops are conducted by experienced trainers. They include many hands-on activities in which participants practice active listening, direct communication, cooperative problem-solving and other conflict resolution skills. Participants also engage in small- and large-group discussions. They consider personal experiences, attitudes and approaches to conflict, and the principles that underlie nonviolent conflict resolution.
Peer Mediation Training
Peer mediation training teaches groups of student leaders to help other young people resolve conflicts in a private, structured setting. Student mediators meet with other young people who have a dispute, listen to their concerns, and guide them through a process to help them resolve the problem. Peer mediation techniques can be used in any community of young people--schools, Sunday schools, community or recreation centers, or youth groups.
Peer mediation benefits an entire school or youth center community.
- Student mediators learn powerful skills;
- the students who use the services get help solving disputes and learn the value of settling their own problems;
- teachers and other adult staff are relieved of the burden of solving disputes for their students;
- the whole community enjoys reduced tension and stress because everyone knows there is a constructive, respectful option available for settling disputes.
Download a pdf copy of our Conflict Resolution Brochure
Contact us for more information
If you would like to talk about arranging conflict resolution or peer mediation training for your organization, please call our office at 232-1002 or email us at rpec@rpec.org
For Conflict Resolution Training Team members: Link to our archives and resources