2001 Environment and Public Policy Section Meeting

"Approaches to the Evolution of Environmental and Public Policy Dispute Resolution"

Indian Lakes Resort

Bloomingdale, IL

April 19-21, 2001

McDonaldization and Coca-Colonization or Frank's Blue Plate Special and the Corner Store:

Big Firms--Brand Names--Standardization--Market Saturation--International Exportation

or Sole Providers--Homemade and Hand Dipped--Barn Raising--Neighborhoods.

McDonalds and Coca-Cola typify Western approaches to developing and extending new services and products. These approaches emphasize large organizations and brand names. On the other hand, everyone pitching in to raise a barn or making things by hand evoke "local" and "small is beautiful" approaches to getting things done. Each approach has benefits and drawbacks. For example:

Larger dispute resolution organizations can provide services that are more comprehensive and can administer complex cases. Sole practitioners may have more flexibility. Does the structure of our organizations also change the approach and practice of dispute resolution?
Copywriting and trade marking processes and materials protect the hard earned intellectual work of mediators and dispute resolution trainers. But can intellectual property protections limit collaboration and sharing?

As we move to determine what quality is and promote it among ourselves, we are creating agreements on definitions and approaches. This helps us protect stakeholders from a confusing array of processes, providers and promotes quality services. But could standardization limit new approaches and the diversity of providers?

A growing number of mediators conduct training programs internationally and mediate cross boundary environmental public policy disputes. This reflects recognition that environmental problems are not confined to political boundaries. But what are the political and cultural realities of Westerners working in different cultural and political arenas?

ACR's Environmental and Public Policy Section will discuss these issues at the 2001 section mid-year meeting. We intend to congratulate ourselves over the developments we approve of, debate the pros and cons of the developments we are not sure of, and finally, make fun of how seriously we take ourselves and our potential impacts.

(Note: If you would like more information about this event at this time, please contact the ACR office.)