Contact: Sharon Pickett, phone: 301-365-9307, e-mail: sharonp@igc.org

Conflict Resolution Professionals from Around the World Gather in

Toronto for First International ACR Conference

In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks, participants share strategies for peaceful conflict resolution

Veteran network journalist and three-time Emmy winner Renee Poussaint will be the keynote speaker.

TORONTO, Ontario– More than 1,500 professionals in conflict resolution, alternative dispute resolution, and collaborative decision-making gathered today in Toronto for a three-day conference. This first international conference of the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR) is focused on ways in which people can process conflict, build connections, and come together to create community.

With nearly 6,000 members, ACR – the newly merged organization of the Academy of Family Mediators (AFM), the Conflict Resolution Education Network (CREnet), and the Society for Professionals in Dispute Resolution (SPIDR) – is the largest membership association of mediators, arbitrators, educators, and others in the field of conflict resolution. For example, some ACR members are teachers who specialize in peer mediation, anger management, and other ways of preventing violence in schools. Others mediate family disputes, help resolve workplace disputes, or serve as negotiators in international crisis situations.

The conference, which runs from October 10-13, is being held at the Sheraton Centre Toronto (123 Queen Street West) and includes more than 175 workshops on a wide range of topics. The proceedings will kick-off with a keynote address given by Renee Poussaint, a veteran network journalist and three-time Emmy award winner who is documenting peacekeeping efforts around the world. In addition, Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul & Mary, will perform and discuss a project he founded that addresses issues related to emotional and physical violence among children. A number of conference programs will be geared toward and led by young adults.

"In today's new world, finding and identifying methods of resolving disputes peacefully is more important than ever," said Arnold Shienvold, President, ACR Board of Directors. "Now, perhaps more than anytime in our history, it's critically important to expand the understanding of alternative dispute resolution and its benefits."

"The cumulative sense of goodwill and community felt around the world after the terrorist attacks demonstrate how diverse communities can come together to form a cooperative spirit around a single goal," said Daniel Bowling, Chief Executive Officer of ACR. "In these poignant times, concerns related to the attacks – from dealing with children and students to employees – will be a major topic during our sessions."

ACR is partnering on the conference with the National Association for Community Mediation and two Canadian organizations -- Family Mediation Canada and The Network.

(10/10/2001)