ACT Conflict Resolution held its first episode of the webinar series 'People in Conflict Resolution'

On the 27th of September 2022 ACT Conflict Resolution held its first episode of the webinar series 'People in Conflict Resolution'. Guests were Hon. Raymond E. Kramer, Jessica Bean and Keri-Ann Crawford from the Center of Creative Conflict Resolution at OATH, New York City. 

The talk started with an introduction about the center, its different services, such as Workplace Mediation and Restorative Practices, Group Facilitation, etc. 

Within talking about the importance of workplace mediation it was also discussed how in a city such as New York workplace mediation plays a vital role in resolving issues of discrimination due to different ethnicities or genders. 

Our guests Jessica Bean and Keri-Ann Crawford gave us great insight in some real-life examples they are working with, discrimination conflicts that arise due to power imbalances at work. In a conflict that involves a person of color, having a mediator that is also a person of color can go a long way in helping to create a safe and supportive environment. Although it must be clear that there shouldn't be a representative role in this act. This, and many more perceptions we learned from our experts and the work they are doing in a culturally sensitive hotspot, such as New York City.

Ray Kramer explained his background in working as a child representative and also as a judge. Where the topic arose, can a judge – someone that rules over a case, even act as a mediator, what are the internal conflicts within this? 

We ended the talk with questions from the audience, talking about the difficulties women have in the working world of becoming mediators and how to generally diversify the world of mediation. 

The recorded talk will be uploaded on Youtube, more information on that will follow, stay engaged on our social media accounts.

Our next episode will be at the end of October – Stay tuned!