Arizona State and Indonesian Agriculutral University Affiliations

Western Regional Science Congress January 2006 Rural Regional Public Finance Issues: Reducing the Cost of Conflicts and Increasing Regional Use of Rural Mediation Centers By Professor Eric Thor, S.A.M., and Ms. Shamim Sultana1 Local Public Finance and Conflicts continue to cause serious policy problems. It is clear from Hurricane Katrina, that local, state, and federal funding agencies do not have the same priorities. As a result, a major issue such as levy construction, canal repair, federal grazing, or other disputes can cost considerable money and institute delays that can cause a set back in good public policy decisions. The challenge is compounded when differences in ethnic, ownership and other substantial differences exist. In rural regional economies in the western U.S. States, there are wide disparities in income, education, ethnic and religious backgrounds that cause disputes over land, economic issues, and financial resources. These local and regional issues are diverse in different regions and must be solved using unusual approaches. These regional conflicts and differences can be a serious impediment to public funding, economic progress, financial stability and civil order. In extreme cases these conflicts can result in violence or death. This paper highlights the national, regional and local methodology, its costs and courses being developed to set up a system to solve some of the conflicts and provide alternative dispute resolution as a way to solve disputes and disagreements for local, state, and federal disputes. With the high costs for the traditional justice system, long delay times, legal system alternatives, and other more traditional arbitration, mediation is an important alternative in many cases. Additionally, this paper compares legal costs, with arbitration and mediation costs. All three-conflict resolution methods are used extensively in the rural areas in the western United States. For both public and private entities, conflicts can cause financial ruin. The U.S. Congress has been reviewing the current law because of the high cost of “mandatory” arbitration and litigation-forms of highly structured dispute resolution whose costs have been rising very rapidly. In health care, family issues, and commercial disputes costs can exceed the transactions costs for state and local governments. In a few cases, formal arbitration has cost over $200,000. 2 In contrast, mediation costs much less in both time and direct expenditure. Today in the western U.S. specialized Ag Mediation programs exist in:   1 California Washington Dr Eric Thor is a Professor and State Director of Arizona Ag. Mediation and Finance Training Unit at Arizona State University and a Visiting Professor at the Royal Agricultural College in England, Ms. Shamim Sultana is Project Director and Graduate Assistant at the Ag Mediation Program in Arizona at Arizona State University Polytechnic Campus. 2 “The Cost of Arbitration”, Cittzen.org, by Public Citizen Publication, 2000. B9028. 1 11/5/2009 Western Regional Science Congress January 2006        Arizona Colorado Idaho Nevada New Mexico Utah Wyoming Each of these regional state programs is different since the type of conflict varies from state to state. Nonetheless, in each of these states mediation and alternative dispute resolution help solve the many conflicts that exist—on average over 80% in 2004. These costs are not insignificant for either the public or private sector. For example, the cost to a plaintiff of initiating arbitration is sometimes higher than the cost of instituting a lawsuit. Both formal dispute resolution processes are higher than mediation. A public NGO, Public Citizen, recently did a study and compared court fees to the fees charged by the three primary arbitration provider organizations. 3 The study demonstrates that arbitration costs- the costs charged by the arbitration unit or private tribunal that will decide the dispute- can be up to five thousand percent higher in arbitration than in court litigation. Both are higher than mediation. These costs have a deterrent effect, often preventing a claimant from even filing a case. They also highlighted several other critical public finance related issues in Dispute Resolution including:  Arbitration costs may be higher than court costs in any event, because the expenses of a private legal system can be substantial. The same support personnel that expedite cases at a courthouse, such as file clerks and court administrators, are also necessary to manage arbitration cases. But because arbitration provider organizations handle fewer cases over larger geographic areas, the economy of scale in a court clerk's office cannot be achieved, increasing the administrative cost per case. Thus, while it costs the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County an average of $44.20 to administer a case, AAA's administrative cost per case averages $340.63, about 700 percent more. Arbitration saddles claimants with a plethora of extra fees that they would not be charged if they went to court. For example, the National Arbitration Forum charges $75 to issue a subpoena. A lawsuit litigant can obtain a subpoena form for free from the court, oftentimes downloading it off the Internet. NAF also charges fees for discovery requests ($150) and continuances ($100), occurrences so ubiquitous in litigation that they must be viewed as inevitable. The American Arbitration Association (AAA) charges extra fees for use of a hearing room. Litigation also have a wide  3 The Cost of Arbitration” Citizen.org 2000 B9028. 2 11/5/2009 Western Regional Science Congress January 2006 variety of fees which vary from courthouse to courthouse. Mediation minimizes fees with the fees set by consultation with government.  Taking a case to arbitration does not guarantee that a consumer or employee will stay out of court, making arbitration or other alternative disputes resolution still more costly. First, a plaintiff bound by a one-way arbitration clause, the most common type, may be forced to go to court to litigate the same issues that are being decided in the arbitration. This is because the other party to the clause has retained its right to sue in court. Second, if crucial documents or testimony must come from a third party, court litigation is necessary to enforce subpoenas. In fact, due to a quirk in arbitration law, sometimes two different federal lawsuits are necessary to enforce one subpoena. Third, if a plaintiff wins a case in arbitration but the defendant refuses to honor the award, the plaintiff must ask a judge to enforce the award. The costs of arbitration are higher and therefore some businesses that choose to include arbitration clauses in contracts with consumers and farmers have refused to pay the fees. High arbitration costs can also be used to bludgeon an adversary. For instance, the party being sued can file a motion to dismiss or a motion for summary judgment. The claimant must then advance additional funds to pay the arbitrator to decide the motion, even if the motion has no merit. The defendant can also refuse to provide discovery information, in which case the claimant must advance funds to the arbitrator to decide the discovery dispute. In one case, for which we have reproduced copies of the arbitration bills, the claimant was unable to pay and had to abandon the case. The oft-cited benefits that arbitration can offer in exchange for higher fees will seldom benefit consumer litigants. Not only is there is no evidence that arbitration reduces the overall transaction costs of litigation (e.g. witness fees, attorney fees, discovery costs), but nobody has expounded a coherent theory to explain how arbitration could reduce such costs except in a few categories of cases. Indeed, Public Citizen's examination of the cost savings claim demonstrates that in the vast majority of cases, arbitration will necessarily increase the transaction costs of litigation.    Public Citizen's survey of costs finds that the forum fee for a $60,000 employment discrimination claim in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois is $221; the arbitration organization fees for the same claim before the National Arbitration Forum (NAF) would be $10,925, 4,943% higher. An $80,000 consumer claim brought in Cook County would cost $221, versus $11,625 at NAF, a 5,260% difference. These high costs are not restricted to NAF; for the 3 11/5/2009 Western Regional Science Congress January 2006 same $80,000 claim, the American Arbitration Association (AAA) would charge the plaintiff up to $6,650, and Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services (JAMS) would charge up to $7,950, amounting to a 3,009% and 3,597% difference in cost, respectively. Arbitration costs are high under a pre-dispute arbitration clause because there is no price competition among providers. Companies that want to use arbitration costs as a barrier, to prevent consumers and others from asserting their legal rights, have no incentive to arrange low-cost arbitration services. Instead, it is to their advantage to seek out the highest-cost arbitration providers. While experience has shown that many lawyers are willing to serve as arbitrators for nominal fees, the market provides no mechanism to match volunteer arbitrators to cases in which they are needed the most. Nevertheless, as Appendix II shows there are now 62 groups working on dispute resolution. Mediation, alternative dispute resolution, peacemaking and arbitration in regional rural areas are beginning to use techniques that can help solve both commercial and civil disputes. This is particularly true where the “rule of law” or courts cannot or will not be able to solve issues quickly, economically, and efficiently. In fact, rural alternative dispute resolution grew out of farmers’ disputes, which could not be resolved by the existing financial and legal institutions quickly and effectively. In the U.S., over 70% of disputes referred to mediation are solved to the satisfaction of all rural parties. Today around the world, rural mediation and similar techniques are used in trade matters, cross border issues, land issues, health determinations, divorce, and a wide variety of other matters before the courts, government agencies, and health organizations. In regional rural areas, ethnic and other cultural differences can produce conflict and major disputes. For the past fifteen years Arizona State University has worked together with other western state alternative dispute resolution groups to develop rural dispute resolution systems, courses and centers, which can assist economic regional growth, civil society and regional cooperation. These efforts will continue to develop new ideas and institutions to assist alternative dispute resolution in the Western States. It has numerous regional disputes similar to the units in the western U.S. They are focusing on developing joint techniques, courses, and certified individuals that will assist in rural civic and commercial dispute settlements. The strategy of Arizona, other Western States and the regional centers is to promote courses and training, which focus on civic and mediation centers from the rural areas and to teach courses leading to mediation certificate and dispute resolution programs. The purpose is for the various parties to assist each other to 4 11/5/2009 Western Regional Science Congress January 2006 focus on the techniques and alternative dispute resolution process in Indonesia and Southeast Asian emerging markets. This is true internationally also, in many parts of the four billion person emerging markets, dispute resolution and peacemaking are very important if commercial business is to be done. For trading efforts like the WTO to work they must have a way to resolve disputes across cultures, borders and industries. In areas where there are no traditional “western” legal forums, regional areas need an alternative. These areas and countries do not have either strict legal “uniform commercial codes’, understanding of international conventions or “rules of law” to solve disputes in agribusiness, food and rural transactions. Thus, in many cases, integrity in transactions is a major challenge. There are several other regional areas around the world, which are also looking at these efforts in rural regional agribusiness issues. These are in the world’s regional emerging markets. Each of these regions has challenges similar to Indonesia. They include Russia and the Newly Independent States such as Moldova. Each regional rural economic, political and social system is different. For example, in Indonesia, there are over 300 different ethnic groups in over 6000 islands. With over 200 million people, it is considered a major emerging market of the United States. In Russia, emerging NIS agribusiness regions make up over 30% of the transactions. Close to 200 million people in Russia and the NIS endure disputes, which cannot be solved under a “rule of law” system. China, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil and other emerging regional markets are an important part of the future. Ag Mediation is an important part of Arizona’s rural regional life. Arizona is a unique place to forge new ideas in integrity because of its history and diversity. For the past five hundred years, the Spanish territory, Mexican territory, U.S. territory, has faced disputes in the rural areas. While Hollywood movies have focused on the “Wild West” for the regions lore, the realities are quite different in regards to settling disputes and trade issues. The Early Spanish explorers such as Cabeza de Vaca (1536), Marcos de Niza (1539), and Francisco Vásquez de Coronado (1540), and several Spanish missions founded in the late 17th century used force to solve conflicts with the Native American nations. The region came under Mexican control after 1821, and lands north of the Gila River passed to the U.S. territory of New Mexico at the end of the Mexican war (1846-48). Lands between the Gila River and today's southern boundary were added through the Gadsden Purchase (1853). Arizona became a separate territory in 1863, and settlement accelerated after the surrender (1866) of Geronimo ended 25 years of Apache wars. Rapid development of irrigated agriculture, spurred by construction of the Roosevelt dam (1911), and industrial and urban expansion beginning during World War II strained limited water resources. In 2004, this approach of resolving conflicts by force is still part of Indonesia’s regional challenge. On 5 11/5/2009 Western Regional Science Congress January 2006 September 9, 2004, the Australian Embassy was bombed, killing eight people, and injuring some160 more. Like Arizona, emerging markets such as Russia and Indonesia have challenges settling disputes. Thus, many commercial agribusiness transactions, trades, and disputes do not have traditional ways of settling disputes. In some extreme cases violence and death has been the result of these disputes. After twenty years of American Rural Mediation to assist rural commercial businesspersons and farmers, there are a number of key developments in these areas. This paper highlights for those interested in commercial mediation, peacemaking and dispute resolution a number of possible options. This paper outlines the background, law, and efforts by U.S. states and federal government to focus on mediation as a way of settling disputes. As of FY2005 there have been close to 39,000 cases in the U.S. submitted to formal state and local mediation units. Estimates suggest that 70 percent or over 27,000 have been successful in solving the dispute4. Finally the paper will enumerate the lessons mediation and peacemaking organizations have learned. Background In the transformation and commercialization of agribusiness and resource-based projects and transactions, disputes over land, economic systems, environmental resources and financial fortune can be a serious impediment to growth and societal progress. In the rural areas, the rule of law is not always an accepted way of settling all disputes. In Arizona, less than 100 years ago, the “six” gun was used to settle disputes. In Arizona and twenty-five other states, rural mediation centers currently are operating successfully. In Indonesia, one of the world’s major emerging markets and a new democracy, rural disputes have caused riots, and even death. This paper highlights methodology and courses being developed to help solve some of these conflicts. Mediation, alternative dispute resolution, peacemaking and arbitration are techniques that can help solve both commercial and civil disputes. This is particularly true where the “rule of law” or courts cannot or will not be able to solve issues quickly, economically, and efficiently for all participants. Historically, rural alternative dispute resolution grew out of farmers’ and ranchers’ disputes, which could not be resolved by the existing institutions. In the U.S., over 70% of disputes referred to mediation are solved to the satisfaction of all parties. No party wins all but on the other hand, no party loses all either. This has significantly slowed appeals and litigation in certain important areas. Today around the world, mediation and similar techniques are used in trade matters, cross border issues, land issues, health determinations, divorce, and a wide variety of other issues before the courts, government agencies, and health organizations. 4 Successful conclusion means no legal suit or dispute follows mediation. 6 11/5/2009 Western Regional Science Congress January 2006 Globally, as an emerging market, Indonesia has more than 300 ethnic groups, which have distinct cultures, business practices, civil and commercial practices; Indonesia faces a number of problems in multicultural and commercial practices. These problems are challenging the ability of rural community development. An article in the International Herald Tribune entitled “Indonesia faces a breakdown….” stated “Many fail to realize that restructuring the financial sector (an many others) without restructuring the judiciary will end in failure” 5. The need to have an alternative dispute resolution continues to grow, as well as the need to empower the people. In 2004 and 2005 four similar centers were set up in four regional institutions in Indonesia. They include the four new mediation and conflict resolution centers in Semarang, Salatiga, Lombok, and Lampung.: The strategies of these institutions is to promote courses and training, which focus on civic and mediation centers from the rural areas and to teach courses leading to mediation certificate and dispute resolution programs. The purpose is that the various parties can assist each other to focus on the techniques and alternative dispute resolution process in Indonesia and Southeast Asian emerging markets. South of Phoenix (at the Mexican border) these techniques are being developed also to assist in disputes over NAFTA disputes related to trade and related issues. In the U.S. there is a similar Federal State Partnership. Section 502 of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 (P.L. 100-233) authorized the Secretary of Agriculture to help states develop the Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Certified State Mediation Programs and participate in those programs. The Farm Service Agency (USDA) through its Executive Director for State Operations (EDSO) administers the program. It will be reviewed and reauthorized in 2005. Regional state mediation programs assist agricultural producers, their creditors, and other persons directly affected by the actions of the USDA to resolve disputes, thereby reducing participants’ costs associated with administrative appeals, litigation, and bankruptcy. The USDA Mediation Program gives farmers and ranchers a confidential way to work out distressed or delinquent loans. Agricultural mediation is a way of settling disputes within a producer’s own means. The program provides a neutral mediator who can sit down with the parties or work on the phone to resolve very problematic issues. Instead of the years it can take for a case to filter through the courts, mediation generally takes only a few meetings to complete. A critical feature of mediation is confidentiality in working out differences concerning farmers and ranchers’ business operations. Mediation documents are International Herald Tribune January 14, 2000, page 7 7 11/5/2009 Western Regional Science Congress January 2006 not to be used for any other legal action. This is one of the key requirements for state mediation certification. Confidentiality is the key to making mediation work. Historical Development and the Law The Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 authorized federal efforts as a result of the problems throughout the rural areas in America. It was based on a number of state programs principally in the mid-west. It set up a series of matching grants for state formulated programs. Today there are programs in 25 states. The Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-624) extended this authority through FY 1995. The Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (P.L. 103-354) further refined the program. The Agriculture Credit Improvement Act of 1992 (P.L. 102-554) also redefined the roles of states and federal agencies in this partnership. Section 282 of the 1994 Reorganization Act expanded the program to include wetland determinations, conservation compliance, agricultural credit, and rural water loan programs, grazing on national forest system lands, pesticides, and other issues the Secretary of Agriculture deems appropriate. Today Congress is strongly supportive of this system and has increased financial support as a way of assisting rural areas in the financial challenges of the new millennium. The BLM has participated in many of these mediations as an agency, which is directly affected by the challenges of farmers and ranchers in rural areas. Today for all adverse decisions, Section 275 of the Act requires that if a USDA Certified State Mediation Program is available as part of the informal hearing process, the appeal participant will be offered mediation. What is Rural Regional Mediation? Mediation is a process in which a trained, highly respected and impartial person-a mediator--helps people look at their mutual problems, identify and consider options, and determine if they can agree on a solution. A mediator has no decision-making authority. Unlike a judge or an arbitrator, a mediator cannot decide what is right or "make" anyone do anything. Successful mediation is almost always based on the voluntary cooperation and participation of all the parties. USDA enters mediation to explore all available options to help agricultural producers, their creditors, and other persons directly affected by the actions of USDA to resolve disputes and reduce costs associated with administrative appeals, litigation, and bankruptcy. USDA representatives try to set a positive, constructive tone and encourage others to do the same in order to provide a positive atmosphere for dispute settlements . How Does Mediation Work? 8 11/5/2009 Western Regional Science Congress January 2006 Any affected party can request mediation at any time, but it usually takes place after a government official advises the customer that mediation is available before or after receipt of formal adverse actions. The customer may request mediation or waive the opportunity to use the service. If mediation is requested, regional mediation officials contact the requesting party to get a complete list of potential participants and their addresses and suggest steps the participants should take to prepare for mediation. The mediation service then assigns one or more mediators to the case. Participants may select or eliminate the mediators offered by the mediation service. Once a mediator is selected, all potential participants are advised that a mediation process is underway. If a meeting is scheduled, the parties are informed of the time, place, and nature of the mediation process. Ground rules are set to ensure that the conference is productive. Once an agreement is reached, the mediator makes sure that it is in writing, is signed, and made available to all participants. If an agreement is not reached, the case is closed, all parties are advised of the outcome, and all remain free to pursue other legal courses. Mediation does not favor one side or the other, but helps both consider their situation. The main idea is to provide a low-cost alternative to expensive, lengthy litigation or bankruptcy. Regional and State Certification of State Mediation Programs The U.S. government has special procedures to help states develop mediation services. Under Federal Regulation 7 CFR 1946, USDA officials determine whether a rural regional program meets the following requirements: By August 1 of each year, the Governor or designated State agency head must notify the USDA of its interest in being certified and eligible to receive matching Federal support funds for the rural regional mediation program. Mediation services must be provided to agricultural producers, creditors, and other persons directly affected by USDA actions to help them reach mutually agreeable settlement of their disputes. The program must be authorized or administered by an agency of the State government or by the Governor. Training and certification must be provided for mediators. Neutrality and familiarity with the problems are a must. Confidentiality of the mediation process must be assured. All lenders and borrowers of agricultural loans and, in cases of other issues covered by the mediation program, persons directly affected by USDA actions must be ensured of adequate notification of the mediation services available. 9 11/5/2009 Western Regional Science Congress January 2006 Each of these represents a lesson learned and are key to the high success rate of the program State Supplemental Mediation Agreements Each state can refine the process. Once a State’s agricultural mediation program is certified, the USDA and state director jointly develops an agreement with the Governor’s state mediation officials and other USDA participating agencies. The agreement will describe how the affected agencies will participate in the program. The USDA SED confers with the State Attorney General’s office, all affected USDA agencies, farm and ranch organizations that are interested in development of the State’s certified mediation program, and affected departments of state governments, to ensure that all interested parties have an opportunity to participate. The agreement will contain the essentials of the state mediation structure, procedural guidelines, and forms to be used in the mediation process. Then the Regional Office of the General Counsel reviews it. See Appendix 1 for a state-bystate list. National Performance The USDA Agricultural Mediation Program was cited for efficiency and effectiveness in the Vice President’s Report of the National Performance Review, Creating a Government that Works better and Costs Less. The program was singled out as an example of activity, which other Federal agencies could use as a model. The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) passed a resolution supporting the expansion of agricultural mediation. NASDA further urged the expansion of mediation to include other Federal agencies, which play a role in land and resource management, including the Department of Interior and Army Corps of Engineers. What are the Lessons Learned? There are several key lessons learned during the past two decades of this program. They include:  In the U.S., Federal-State Partnerships work in rural regions. Adapting to local regions, each state has a slightly different approach but it works. Before 1987, states were party to over 20,000 litigations against USDA agencies. This program has meant the states and federal government agencies work together with the difficult restructuring and bankruptcy cases. The taxpayer does not have to pay twice. 10 11/5/2009 Western Regional Science Congress January 2006  Farmers and producers have an important option in alternative dispute resolution. In 80% of the cases, no appeals have been filed nor did litigation start— a measure of success. With each litigated case costing around $80,000 according to government estimates, this suggests around $14,000,000 for each party that has been saved by the government and participant. Subtracting out the current costs for state and federal appropriations, participants and their counsel, it suggests savings from all parties of a range of between $16 million and $14 million per year. See discussion of Savings and Costs in Appendix II.  Both Federal, Regional and State Governments can participate and adapt the process to particular rural regional needs. The Attorney General, Agricultural and Environment agencies can refine the process. This means Senators and Congresspersons find this an important part of the program.  Training and certification must be provided for mediators. Neutrality and familiarity with the problems are a must for the mediators. Each participant and party can “pick” a neutral party from a roster maintained by both the federal and state organizations.  Confidentiality of the mediation process must be assured. This means that the findings by the parties are not part of the legal process. This is a voluntary process and not part of the legally defined process. All lenders and borrowers of agricultural loans and, in cases of other issues covered by the mediation program, persons directly affected by USDA actions must be ensured of adequate notification of the mediation services available. This means banks and other federal and state agencies have a right to seek a solution. The success of mediation is expanding to both the public and private sector. Use of trained mediators is effective and in many incidences is an important tool for dispute resolution both in the U.S. and globally. Recent major mediations in the high technology area, Middle East peace process and emerging markets are key to reaching solutions to important issues. 11 11/5/2009 Western Regional Science Congress January 2006 Appendix 1: Certified State Mediation Program Contacts State Mediation Program Contacts Alabama Lana M. Harms Alabama Agricultural Mediation Program Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries P.O. Box 1554 Montgomery, AL 35902-1554 Tel (256) 927-3257 Voice mail (334)240-7301 Mail Box #1000 Fax (334) 240-7270 E-Mail: alagmedharms@tds.net Arkansas Richard S. Johnston Farm/Creditor Mediation Program Arkansas Development Finance Authority P.O. Box 8023 Little Rock, AR 72203 Tel (501) 682-5895 Fax (501) 682-5893 E-Mail: rjohnston@adfa.state.ar.us Arizona Eric Thor or Ms. Shamim Sultana Arizona Agricultural Mediation Program Morrison School of Agribusiness and Resource Management Arizona State University East 7001 E. Williams Road Bldg. Wanner Mesa, AZ 85212 Tel (480) 727-1583 Cell Phone 602-320-4294 Fax (480) 727-1211 E-Mail: Eric.Thor@asu.edu or rodica@asu.edu http://www.east.asu.edu/msabr/rearch/agmediation/agmed.htm California Carolyn Penny UC Davis Extension 1333 Research Park Drive Davis, CA 95616-4852 Tel (530) 757-8569 Fax (530) 757-8596 E-Mail: commonground@unexmail.ucdavis.edu Colorado Gary Graalman Colorado Department of Agriculture 2331 West 31st Avenue Denver, CO, 80211 Tel (303) 480-9236 Fax (303) 480-9236 E-mail:Gary.Graalman@ag.state.co.us Florida Dr. Larry Arrington 12 11/5/2009 Western Regional Science Congress January 2006 Florida Cooperative Extension Service University of Florida 1038 McCarty Hall Gainesville, FL 32611-0210 Tel (352) 392-0582 or (352) 392-0412 Fax (352) 392-0414 http://gove.ufl.edu/~mediate/ Idaho Suzanne McCorkle Office of Conflict Management Services Boise State University 1910 University Drive Boise, Idaho 83725-1900 Tel: (208) 426-3776 Fax: (208) 426-4318 Illinois Alicia Hill Ruiz Southern Illinois University School of Law 104 Lesar Law Building Carbondale, IL 62901 Tel (618) 453-5181 Fax (618) 453-8727 E-Mail: aruiz@siu.edu http://www.siu.edu/~lawsch/clinic/iamp/ Indiana Indiana Agricultural Mediation Program - Program Coordinator Gail Kappel Rural Services of Indiana, Inc. 64345 US 31Lakeville, IN 46536 Tel (574) 299-9648 Fax (574) 299-9666 E-Mail: ruralservices@aol.com And Indiana Agricultural Mediation Program - State Director Linda GrayOffice of the Commissioner of Agriculture 150 W. Market Street ISTA Center, Suite 414Indianapolis, IN 46204 Tel (317) 232-8770 Fax (317) 232-1362 E-Mail: lgray@commerce.state.in.us Iowa Michael L. Thompson Iowa Médiation Services 6200 Aurora Ave., Suite 608W Urbandale, IA 50322 Tel (515) 331-8081 Fax (515) 331-8085 E-Mail: iamed8@netins.net http://www.mediation-service.com/staff.html Kansas 13 11/5/2009 Western Regional Science Congress January 2006 Forrest Buhler Kansas Agricultural Mediation Service K-State Research & Extension 2A Edwards Hall Manhattan, KS 66506 Tel (785) 532-6958 Fax (785) 532-6532 E-Mail: fbuhler@oznet.ksu.edu http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/dp_kams/ Louisiana John K. Pierre Louisiana State Agricultural Mediation Program Southern University Law Center P.O. Box 9294 Baton Rouge, LA 70813 Tel: (225) 771-4900 or (225) 925-2383 Fax: (225) 771-2474 Maryland Jane Storrs Agricultural Mediation Program Maryland State Department of Agriculture 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway Annapolis, MD 21401 Tel (410)841-5770 Fax (410)841-5987 E-Mail: storrsjm@mda.state.md http://www.farmsense.org/ Massachusetts Jeannie Adams ADR Director Massachusetts Office of Dispute Resolution One Ashburton Place, Room 501 Boston, MA 02108 Tel (617) 727-2224 Fax (614) 727-6495 E-Mail: jeannie.adams@state.ma.us http://www.state.ma.us/modr/ Michigan Laua Bassein Michigan Agricultural Mediation Program State Court Administrative Office 309 N. Washington Square P.O. Box 30048 Lansing, MI 48909 Tel (517) 373-4839 Fax (517) 373-8922 E-Mail: Basseinl@jud.state.mi.us http://www.courts.michigan.gov/scao/dispute/#ag Minnesota Rodney B Hamer 14 11/5/2009 Western Regional Science Congress January 2006 Farmer Lender Mediation Program Director 467 Coffey Hall 1420 Eckles Avenue St. Paul MN 55108-6090 Phone: (612) 625-1782 Fax: 612.625.1955 Email: hamer009@umn.edu and Mary Nell Preisler Farmer Lender Mediation Program Coordinator University of Minnesota 1526 170th Avenue Bejou, MN 56516-9736 Phone: (218) 935-5785 Fax: 218.935.9053 Email: preis002@umn.edu http://www.extension.umn.edu/specializations/businessmanagement/FarmerLenderMediation.htm l#contact J. Chris Klenklen Administrator Missouri Department of Agriculture 1616 Missouri Blvd., P.O. Box 630 Jefferson City, Missouri 65102 Tel (573) 751-5514 Fax (573) 751-5516 Nebraska Marian Beethe, Administrator Tel (4020 471-6890 Joanne Komenda, Coordinator Tel (402) 471-2341 Nebraska State Department of Agriculture P.O. Box 94947 Lincoln, NE 68509-4947 Tel (402) 471-2341 or 1-800-446-4071 Fax (402) 471-9310 E-Mail: marianjb@agr.state.ne.us or joannek@agr.state.ne.us New York New York State Agricultural Mediation Program NYS Unified Court System Mark V. Collins, Assistant Coordinator Tom Buckner, Principal Court Analyst State Office of Alternative Dispute Resolution Programs 98 Niver Street Cohoes, NY 12047 Tel (518) 238-2888 ext. 234 (Collins); ext. 238 (Buckner) Fax (518)238-2951 E-Mail: MCollins@courts.state.ny.us or tbuckner@courts.state.ny.us http://www.courts.state.ny.us/adr Nevada Don Henderson or Paul Iverson Nevada Agricultural Mediation Program 15 11/5/2009 Western Regional Science Congress January 2006 Nevada Division of Agriculture 350 Capitol Hill Reno, NV 89502 Tel (775) 684-5333 Fax (775) 882-5121 E-Mail: hnderson@govmail.state.nv.us New Jersey (Pending) Sherry M. Dudas State of New Jersey Department of Agriculture P.O. Box 330 Trenton, NJ 08625-0330 Tel (609) 984-2504 Fax (609) 633-2004 E-Mail: sherry.dudas@ag.state.nj.us New Mexico Patrick Sullivan New Mexico Cooperative Extension Service P.O. Box 3003, Department 3AE Las Cruces, NM 88003 Tel (505) 646-2433 Fax (505) 646-3808 E-Mail: pasulliv@nmsu.edu http://www.nmsu.edu/~agmed/right.html North Dakota Jeff Knudson North Dakota Agricultural Mediation Service North Dakota Department of Agriculture 600 East Boulevard, 6th Floor Bismarck, ND 58505 Tel (701) 328-4769 or 328-2231 Fax (701) 328-4567 E-Mail: jknudson@state.nd.us http://www.agdepartment.com/programs/ams.html Oklahoma Dr. Mac McCrory Director Institute for Issues Management & ADR Oklahoma State University 2302 W. 7th Street Stillwater, OK 74074 Tel (800) 248-5465 or (405) 744-6477 Fax (405) 377-1048 South Dakota Shanon Nowell South Dakota Agricultural Development Joe Foss Building, 523 E. Capitol Pierre, SD 57501-3182 Tel (605) 773-5436 or 1-800-228-5254 Fax (605) 773-3481 E-Mail: shanon.nowell@state.sd.us 16 11/5/2009 Western Regional Science Congress January 2006 http://www.state.sd.us/doa/ag_dev/agdev_mediation.htm Texas D. Gene Valentini or Becky Killgore Texas South Plains Association of Governments Dispute Resolution Center th 1323 58 Street, P.O. Box 3730 Lubbock, TX 79452-3730 Tel (806) 762-8721 or 1-800-858-1809 Fax (806) 765-9544 E-Mail: spag.drc@juno.com www.spag.org Utah Kyle R. Stephens Deputy Commissioner Utah Department of Agriculture and Food P.O. Box 146500 Salt Lake City, UT 84114 Tel (801) 538-7102 Fax (801) 538-7126 E-Mail: kylestephens@utah.gov Http://www.ag.state.ut.us/divisns/comisnr/medlinks.htm Washington Jack Hebner Mediator Director Fulcum Institute 905 W. Riverside, Suite 304 Spokane WA 99201-1099 Tel (509) 838-2799 (phone & fax the same) E-Mail: hebnerj@worldnet.att.com Wisconsin Jo Ann Prust Wisconsin State Farm Mediation and Arbitration Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection 2811 Agriculture Drive P.O. Box 8911 Madison, WI 53708 Tel (608) 224-5052 Fax (608) 5110 or 224-5111 E-Mail: jo.prust@datcp.state.wi.us Http://datcp.state.wi.us/wfc/mediation Wyoming Lucy Hansen Wyoming Agriculture and Natural Resources Mediation Program 2219 Carey Avenue Cheyenne, WY 82002-0100 Tel (307) 777-7323 Fax (307) 777-6593 E-Mail:lhanse@state.wy.us http://www.soswy.state.wy.us/director/boards/ag-med.htm 17 11/5/2009 Western Regional Science Congress January 2006 USDA National Office Contact: Chester A. Bailey Farm Service Agency USDA Agricultural Mediation Program USDA/FSA/OS/Stop 0511/Room 3716-S 1400 Independence Ave., SW Washington, D.C. 20250-0511 Tel (202) 720-1471 or (OS) (202) 720-7619 Fax (202) 690-0644 or (OS) (690-4727 E-Mail: cbailey@wdc.fsa.usda.gov http;//www.fsa.usda.gov.PAS/publications/facts.html/agmend698.htm 18 11/5/2009 Western Regional Science Congress January 2006 Appendix II: Costs and Savings by Mediation This is a new analysis done by NAD and OIG offices Assumptions: In USDA mediation, the range of cost per case estimated by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Report No. 03801-23 TE) to be from a low figure of approximately $537 to a high figure of $9,400. Using OIG's study figures, the average cost per mediation case to USDA is approximately $2,600. The National Appeals Division of USDA published in its FY 2000 and 2001 Annual Performance Plan that its FY 2001 budget was estimated at $13,450,000 to administer its typical 3,500 cases. Using these figures as a baseline, those figures suggest that, NAD's cost per case is approximately $3,840. Of the 3,500 NAD determinations each year, 2,500 are hearing officer determinations, 800 are Director reviews of agency determinations that cannot be appealed to NAD. Using these figures, a $5.5 million appropriation in fiscal year 2005 has a potential net savings of about $2.6 million ($5.5 million multiplied by $0.47). A dispute solved quickly outside the appeal process saves staff time, emotional energy and effort. The agency has a strong interest in resolving disputes as quickly as possible. The FSA Florida Appeals Coordinator reported recently that mediation cases of equal complexity could be mediated in about 50% of the time required to handle the same case before NAD. The Florida Appeals Coordinator states that the average expense for the agency on a NAD case is about $1,500. The majority of disputes mediated involve FSA customers and/or their lenders. The certified state mediation programs also handle disputes involving conservation issues of NRCS, grazing on Forest Service System land, and rural housing, rural business, rural water loans of RD, crop insurance of RMA, and other issues the Secretary considers appropriate. The costs above are similar to that reported in a 1995 report to Congress by the Administrative Conference of the United States (ACUS), which at the time coordinated the ADR work of federal agencies. An example cited, the statewide Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) in Oregon determined costs for a typical contested case in 1998 averaged about $4,000. LUBA cases that did not go through the formal hearing process and utilized a mediator instead cost between $900 and $2,500, a savings of up to $3,100 per case. This was stated in a 1/27/99 letter from Rebecca A. Sweetland, Oregon Dispute Resolution Commission), Cost Savings Generated by Public ADR, Jerry, Neugarten, March, 1999. This analysis was done by the CAMP (Coalition of Agricultural Mediation Programs) and includes the cost of the attorneys 3000 Cases from USDA Estimates and State Annual Reports x 80% Success Rate 2400 Cases reach successful conclusion of no appeal 2400 Mediation Cases $80,000 per USDA per IG Inspector Estimates. $19,200,000 for the U.S. Government A Similar Savings for State, Participant and other Institutions $19.2 Million 19 11/5/2009 Western Regional Science Congress January 2006 Cost of Programs $2.-3 Million U.S. Appropriation plus overhead State Costs including Cost Share $750,000 Participant Costs equal $1000 per case or $2.4 Million Thus, $14 to15 million in savings annually. 20 11/5/2009 Western Regional Science Congress January 2006 Conflict Resolution 62 Sources. A+Country Reports - Eradicate Conflict by Building Cultural Awareness ACDIS Arms Control, Disarmament, and International Security The Program in Arms Control, Disarmament, and International Security (ACDIS) is an interdisciplinary, research, teaching, and public service program at the University of Illinois. Established in 1978, it is devoted to advancing and disseminating knowledge about some of the most serious issues of our time, including nuclear war, regional and ethnic conflict, strategies for conflict resolution and peacemaking, uses of technology for peace, and the problem of nuclear proliferation especially in South Asia. ACDIS is a unit of International Programs and Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and receives funding from the State of Illinois, private foundations, and federal government agencies. AFCC - an association of family, court and community professionals AFCC is an international and interdisciplinary association of family, court, and community professionals dedicated to the constructive resolution of family disputes. American Aribitration Association The American Arbitration Association is available to resolve a wide range of disputes through mediation, arbitration, elections and other out-of-court settlement procedures. That the AAA has flourished for nearly 75 years affirms an unparalleled commitment to progressive leadership in alternative dispute resolution (ADR), and the Association's facility for change and service innovation. ARBITRATION DATABASE -- interarb.com A Database on Arbitration in the widest sense of private dispute resolution. Includes links to Sources of information throughout the World, and a Diary of Events detailing meetings, symposia, conferences, and some courses. The Arbitration Database forms part of the WWW Virtual Library. Association for Conflict Resolution Association for Conflict Resolution. Our mission is promoting peaceful, effective conflict resolution. Campus Conflict Resolution Resources Main Quad This content-rich site provides a wide array of resources for university and college mediators and conflict resolvers. Center for Analysis of Alternative Dispute Resolution Systems (CAADRS) Our goal is to assist courts in Illinois in making the most efficient and effective use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) systems. 21 11/5/2009 Western Regional Science Congress January 2006 Centre for Conflict Resolution The Centre for Conflict Resolution seeks to contribute towards a just peace in South Africa and elsewhere in Africa by promoting constructive, creative and co-operative approaches to the resolution of conflict and the reduction of violence. Center for International Development and Conflict Management For 17 years, the Center for International Development and Conflict Management (CIDCM) has provided a home base for a close-knit community of scholars who are deeply and consistently engaged in some of the most compelling issues in the world today - the incidence of war and conflict, the search for ethical meaning in a mosaic world, and the definition of development. From Central Asia to West Africa, and from South America to Eastern Europe, CIDCM has long been wrestling with important issues in areas where scholarship and social engagement converge. The global trends of democracy, growth, and conflict in the 1990s has only served to strengthen our belief that the issues to which CIDCM is committed are the right ones to investigate. Center for National Security Law at the University of Virginia The Center for National Security Law is a nonpartisan, nonprofit institution dedicated to the promotion of interdisciplinary advanced research, scholarship, and education about legal aspects of national security problems. Center for Peacemaking and Conflict Studies - Home Page The Center for Peacemaking and Conflict Studies offers graduate education in conflict management and peacemaking leading to the MA degree or graduate certificate. We also offer intervention and consulting services. Center for the Study of Dispute Resolution Welcome to the Center for the Study of Dispute Resolution, a program of the University of Missouri School of Law. The Center was established in 1984 with the principal purpose of teaching law students and lawyers comprehensive, efficient and fair methods for managing and resolving disputes. Conflict Processes Section, APSA Home Page This is the home page of the Conflict Processes Section of the American Political Science Association. The site serves several purposes but the primary purpose is to support research on conflict processes within and between states. Conflict Research Consortium The Conflict Research Consortium is a multidisciplinary program of research, teaching, and application, focused on finding more constructive ways of addressing difficult, long-term, and intractable conflicts, and getting that information to the people involved in these conflicts so that they can approach them in a more constructive way. A joint universitycommunity program, the Consortium unites researchers, educators, and practitioners from many fields for the purposes of theory-building, testing, disseminating, and applying new 22 11/5/2009 Western Regional Science Congress January 2006 conflict management techniques. These efforts are designed to lead to an improved understanding of conflict dynamics, along with better methods for confronting and managing intractable conflicts and reaching good decisions. From University of Colorado at Boulder. Conflict Resolution Network Canada The Network: Interaction for Conflict Resolution...Canada's source for conflict resolution connections, information and resources. Conflict Resolution / Peer Mediation (From University of Florida this site offers point by point information to set up a conflict resolution/peer mediation program in your school and other pertinent information.) Conflict Resolver.com Welcome to the ConflictResolver.Com Site Index. Conflict Transformation Program/CTP Open to people from all parts of the world and all religious traditions, the program is an outgrowth of the long-standing Mennonite peace-church tradition. As such, it is rooted in the Anabaptist values of peace and nonviolence, social justice, service, reconciliation, personal wholeness, and appreciation for diversity of all types. (Look into 'Web Resources on Peace & Conflict Studies'.) CRI (Conflict Resolution, Research and Resource Institute, Inc.) CRI conducts research, education, training, process coaching, direct intervention, and program evaluation services for individuals and groups in conflict resolution theory and techniques in community, national, and international arenas. CRU Institute - Conflict Resolution & Peer Mediation We are a nonprofit organization created for the purpose of teaching mediation concepts and skills to youth and adults. Experience in mediation and training make CRU Institute a unique organization. Since 1987 our trainers have conducted Student and Faculty Mediation Training at hundreds of schools. Our materials are being used by schools in the United States and numerous other countries. Dimostenis's Conflict Resolution Page a collection of links, search tools, and articles for researchers interested in conflict and conflict resolution. Dispute Resolution Institute The Dispute Resolution Institute (DRI) was established in 1991 to offer high quality dispute resolution courses for law students, lawyers and other professionals. In 2001-2002, DRI will offer seven international and domestic academic programs. Fellowship of Reconciliation - Peace, Justice and Nonviolence The Fellowship of Reconciliation is the largest, oldest interfaith peace and justice 23 11/5/2009 Western Regional Science Congress January 2006 organization in the United States. Florida Conflict Resolution Consortium The Consortium represents the State of Florida's commitment to finding productive and cost-effective solutions to public disputes. Since 1987, the Florida State University based Consortium, with the support of the Florida Legislature, has taken a leadership role in promoting the informed use of consensus building and alternative dispute resolution to meet the growing demand for better and more durable solutions to Florida's public problems. Homepage for The SC Council for Conflict Resolution Our Vision is that of a world that enables social and political structures to use open communication, freedom to debate, and the skills of principled negotiations for settlements, to demand the right to resolve their disputes responsibly and peacefully, and to channel the energy of their conflicts into the tilling of a cultural soil where all people can be allowed to grow strong by embracing the power of difference and diversity. Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution From George Mason University. Institute for Conflict Resolution The Institute on Conflict Resolution advances the knowledge and understanding of conflict resolution through research, education, and curriculum development and through the collection and dissemination of information. Institute for Dispute Resolution - University of Victoria The Institute for Dispute Resolution (IDR) at the University of Victoria, British Columbia, is an interdisciplinary centre focused on effective dispute resolution and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) theory and practice. IDR is the institutional structure for the Lam Chair of Law and Public Policy. Institute for International Mediation and Conflict Resolution The Institute for International Mediation and Conflict Resolution (IIMCR) is a non-profit educational institution based in Washington D.C. that is dedicated to organizing and conducting intensive four-week seminars on international mediation and conflict resolution for primarily upper-division undergraduate students and graduate students from around the world. International Peace Bureau The International Peace Bureau is the world’s oldest and most comprehensive international peace federation, bringing together people working for peace in many different sectors: not only pacifists but also women’s, youth, labor, religious and professional bodies. IPI Home Page The Iowa Peace Institute (IPI) exists to help people learn more productive patterns of communication and approaches to conflict in order to improve their professional and 24 11/5/2009 Western Regional Science Congress January 2006 personal relationships. The Institute is an independent nonprofit corporation created in 1986. Justice Institute of British Columbia: The Justice Institute is a unique public post secondary educational institution. We provide learning opportunities for practitioners and the public which lead to improved justice and public safety services and safer communities. We offer over 400 courses in a wide range of areas, from policing to fire fighting, paramedic training, conflict resolution, specialized counselling and many others. No other educational institute in North America offers the range of justice and public safety training you will find at the Justice Institute. We are recognized throughout the world for our training expertise. Kent State University Center for Applied Conflict Management The Center for Applied Conflict Management (CACM) at Kent State University offers an undergraduate degree in Applied Conflict Management; conducts research and theorybuilding in the field of conflict studies; and provides training programs for community groups, contract services for public and private sector organizations, and consulting on conflict management processes. LaMarsh Centre for Research on Violence & Conflict Resolution - York University The LaMarsh Centre is mandated to support, conduct, and disseminate the results of research on violence and conflict resolution in the broad sense. In particular, its aim is to carry out research which is relevant to the social concerns, first, of the residents of Ontario and, second, of Canadians in general. Mediate.com: Information, Technology & Education Since 1996 Everything from defining mediation, to guidelines for choosing a mediator. An international searchable directory with links to mediator's web pages. Mediation Essays, Mediation Forms and Mediation Materials This mediation Resources site contains substantial on-line materials for alternative dispute resolution and mediation. Mediation Essays, More Mediation Essays, Mediation Centers, Advanced Mediation Topics, & On-Line Mediation Newsletters are all at this site. mediation@mit Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Mediation Training Institute / Dana Mediation Institute Foremost internet provider of certification and training for managing conflict in organizations and workplaces. Mediation works. (Their links.) National Association for Community Mediation Community mediation offers constructive processes for resolving differences and conflicts between individuals, groups, and organizations. It is an alternative to avoidance, destructive 25 11/5/2009 Western Regional Science Congress January 2006 confrontation, prolonged litigation or violence. It gives people in conflict an opportunity to take responsibility for the resolution of their dispute and control of the outcome. Network of Communities for Peacemaking and Conflict Resolution NCPCR promotes the use and acceptance of non-violent approaches to the resolution of conflict and the improvement of conflict resolution theory and practice. New York State Center for School Safety The New York State Center for School Safety is a state government coordinating agency and information clearinghouse. The Center supports schools, families, communities and government organizations in creating safe and healthy environments. NGO Committee on Disarmament This is the homepage for the NGO Committee on Disarmament, the principal service organization for Non-Governmental Organizations (research institutes, activist/advocacy groups, volunteer organizations, professional associations) involved with disarmament in the United Nations context. We provide open channels for communication between citizens' groups, governments and UN-related bodies. This Website is intended to link issues, networks and activist campaigns. Nonviolence Web: Your source for today's peace and antiwar news The Nonviolence Web is home to many of the US's most dynamic peace groups. OJPCR: The Online Journal of Peace and Conflict Resolution The Online Journal of Peace and Conflict Resolution is intended as a resource for students, teachers and practitioners in fields relating to the reduction and elimination of conflict. It desires to be a free, yet valuable, source of information to aid anyone trying to work toward a less violent and more cooperative world. PARC HOMEPAGE The Program on the Analysis and Resolution of Conflicts (PARC) is an interdisciplinary center within the Maxwell School of Syracuse University, dedicated to enhancing knowledge about social conflicts -- their nature, course of development, and possible resolution -through theory building and research, education, and practice. Peace and Conflict Home on the Web The purpose of this site is to serve as a virtual guide to, and library of, peace studies and conflict resolution. In 1990, I started working on this idea and by early 1992, before the world wide web existed, I created this internet site and transformed an older listserv on peace into the Peace Studies Discussion Group (or "Peace List") as a service to those in higher education interested in the interdisciplinary field of peace studies. Peace and Conflict Research Centers, Institutes, & Organizations University-Affiliated Centers, Institutes and Programs Associations, Consortiums, and Organizations, Virtual Networks, Relevant Organizations and Networks. 26 11/5/2009 Western Regional Science Congress January 2006 Peace Research Information Unit Bonn (PRIUB) The Arbeitsstelle Friedensforschung Bonn(AFB)/Peace Research Information Unit Bonn (PRIUB) is a national and international advice, information, and service centre covering the whole field of research into peace and conflict. It puts scholars and institutions in touch with one another; it provides information on the organizations, concerns, and findings of peace and conflict research; it organizes discussion groups and work groups on specific topics; it provides those wishing to set up projects with advice on both technicalities and subject matter; and it provides back-up in the presentation of research findings and academic publications. Physicians for Social Responsibility Violence Prevention PSR's Violence Prevention Program is building a national Violence Prevention Network of physicians, public health professionals, PSR staff and supporters working to reduce firearms and domestic violence. From Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR). Promoting Tolerance - a class for highschool students. This site is about my award winning Tolerance Class in San Clemente and contains our syllabus and lesson plans. PON: The Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School is an applied research center committed to improving the theory and practice of negotiation and dispute resolution. Put most simply, the Program on Negotiation is working to change the way people, organizations, and nations resolve their disputes shifting the process from "win-lose" outcomes to "all-gain" solutions. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute Welcome to SIPRI! The task of our Institute is to conduct research on questions of conflict and cooperation of importance for international peace and security, with the aim of contributing to an understanding of the conditions for peaceful solutions of international conflicts and for a stable peace. Strategies for Peace in the 21st Century: An Online Course A free online course in which you can discuss alternative approaches to making the world more peaceful in the next century. You will discuss 4 common options for U.S. policy, and then recommend a 5th strategy of your own. Dr. John McClellan, who has taught courses on the nuclear dilemma, future studies, and conflict resolution. A Professor at Quinebaug Valley Community-Technical College in Danielson, CT, U.S.A., he will moderate the discussions. The Joan B. Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame The Joan B. Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame is a leading international center for education, research, and outreach on peace. Our programs emphasize international norms and institutions; religious, philosophical, and 27 11/5/2009 Western Regional Science Congress January 2006 cultural dimensions of peace; conflict transformation; and social, economic, and environmental justice. United States Institute of Peace - Committed to the Prevention, Management, and Peaceful Resolution of International Conflict The United States Institute of Peace Web site promotes the prevention, management, and peaceful resolution of international conflicts with infromation on research grants, fellowships, professional training, education, conferernces, workshops, library services and publications. Welcome to Idealist.org - the place to help yourself and others Action Without Borders is a global coalition of individuals and organizations working to build a world where all people can live free, dignified and productive lives. Western Justice Center - resources for intergroup dialogue, mediation and conflict resolution. Learn new approaches to resolving conflicts. 28 11/5/2009