Contact: Sharon Pickett (301-365-9307)

Conflict Resolution Experts Meet in Sacramento
John Paul Lederach Will Discuss Strategies for International Peacebuilding

PUBLIC EVENT:

More than 1500 conflict resolution professionals will gather at the Sacramento Convention Center from September 29 – October 2 for the 2004 Annual Conference of the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR). ACR is a professional association representing more than 6500 mediators, arbitrators, educators and other conflict resolution professionals from across the U.S. and around the world. Spanish translation is available at selected events.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS:

John Paul Lederach will discuss “The Moral Imagination: The Art and Soul of Building Peace” on Thursday, Sept 30 from 8:30 am – 10:00 am. Lederach is Professor of International Peacebuilding at the Joan B. Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame and a Distinguished Scholar at Eastern Mennonite University. He has authored 16 books and worked as a mediator in Latin America, Africa, Southeast and Central Asia, and the United States. He is widely known for his inspiring and informative lectures on conflict transformation and strategic approaches to peacebuilding.

SPEAKERS ARE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS ON THESE AND OTHER TOPICS:

• Workplace – how to set up conflict management systems, build trust in the workplace

• International – experts on Northern Ireland, Israel and Palestine, Eritrea and Ethiopia

• Conflict Resolution Education – strategies to reduce violence, bullying and bias; how to set up peer mediation programs in schools; research on conflict resolution education in urban schools

• Family Mediation – resolving issues such as divorce, parenting, child protection, adult guardianship

• Health Care – mediating cases of medical malpractice, elder care, and Medicare

• On-line Dispute Resolution – how does this work and where is it being used?

• Environmental Disputes – Speakers include representatives from tribal nations, the Center for Collaborative Policy, the E.P.A., the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution and others

• Restorative Justice – why this model succeeds when retributive justice does not

• Sacramento Speakers -- include representatives from the California Attorney General’s Office, the Sacramento Mediation Center, and the Center for Collaborative Policy at California State University.

REGISTRATION:

The full conference fee for non-members is $520. One day registration is $250. Members of the public can register on site or call 703-685-4130. Reporters are invited free of charge.

9/12/04