President's Peace Commission

Rev. Terry Weik, S.M., the Director of the University Ministry Program at St. Mary's University, provides a general welcome to the Spring 2004 President's Peace Commission, gives an opening prayer, and introduces the two panelists, who are Dr. Ray Leal is a professor in the Criminal Justice Department at St. Mary's University, and Ms. Dorothy "Dottie" Laster, an alumna of St. Mary's University's International Relations Program. They address the following questions: How did the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) system develop? How is ADR used in the United States and to what effect? How is ADR used internationally and to what effect? In which settings is ADR used (i.e., schools? corporations, communities)? Where does ADR go from here? (62 minutes)

Student PPC commissioner Christina Garcia serves as the moderator for this panel discussion. She introduces L. Wayne Scott, J.D., professor of Conflict Resolution Studies at St. Mary's University, who addresses the following questions: What are some of the fundamentals of effective bargaining and negotiation? What are some examples of situations in which compromise is just not an option? What are some examples of effective vs. ineffective communication in negotiation situations? How can "game theory" clarify the possibility of cooperative behavior and the obstacles for achieving mutually advantageous outcomes? Several Drama students from St. Mary's demonstrate the principles Professor Scott discusses. A question and answer period concludes the discussion. (57 minutes)

Senior Patrick Simeroth, of the PPC, hosts this discussion panel featuring Professor Andre Hampton, from the Law School at St. Mary's, who addresses the following questions: What is mediation? What is meant by confidentiality and how does it make the mediation process work? What are the legal implications of mediation? What are the benefits of mediation? Then Dr. Leona Pallansch, of the Political Science Department, and Jeremiah Ellis, a Theology student at St. Mary's role play as disputants, with Criminology student Richard Muzquiz and Dr. Carol Redfield, of the Computer Science Department, role play mediators. A question and answer session concludes this discussion. (69 minutes)

Lucy Poludniak, a staff member, graduate student and PPC member, serves as moderator for this discussion. She introduces Allen T. Craddock, an attorney-mediator and director for Ceasefire, Inc., who also teaches law at St. Mary's, and Charlotte Brauchle, a mediator for Ceasefire, Inc., and an instructor of law at St. Mary's. These panelists discuss the following questions: When, if ever, iss it appropriate for the state to intervene in family conflicts? What re the most effective intervention methods in dealing with family conflicts? What are the outcomes of mediation used in family conflicts? A question and answer session concludes this presentation. (43 minutes)

Associate Dean of Students, Rosalind Alderman, moderates this panel discussion, which presents the peer mediation program from the Joel C. Harris Middle School of the San Antonio Independent School District, and from the University of Texas Peace and Conflict Clinic in Austin. The middle schools students share a video of their experiences and explain how the fights have decreased since their program began and how rumors are the most common conflict they see. The presenters from UT's clinic explain how their program works, the training process for peer mediators, and the forms in which dispute resolution takes place. A question and answer session concludes this presentation. (39 minutes)

Ymelda Rivera, of the President's Peace Commission, serves as the moderator for this panel, which features Norma Guerra Gaier, the director of the Career Services Center at St. Mary's University, and Margaret Leeds, a certified conflict management mediator, trainer and consultant. These ladies address the following questions: What is a mediator? What training is available and required for those pursuing a career as a mediator? What opportunities are available for mediators and individuals who have obtained dispute resolution training? What ethical issues should one consider in this field? Why would one want to become a mediator? A question and answer session concludes this presentation. (42 minutes)

Dr. Charles Cotrell, President of St. Mary's University, hosts and introduces Rosemary Catacalos, director of Gemini Ink, who serves as the presenter. Ms. Catacalos introduces the recipient, Naomi Shihab Nye, a poet and fiction writer. A question and answer session concludes this presentation. (44 minutes)

Dr. Larry Hufford, of the Political Science Dept. at St. Mary's, serves as the moderator for this discussion. He introduces Charlie Jackson, the founder of Texans for Peace, and Ambassador Robert C. Krueger. These men address the following questions: What are the sources of instability in post-Hussein Iraq? What strategies are the U.S. implementing to bring stability to Iraq and what are the chances of success? What efforts are being made by the Iraqis to resolve conflict and encourage peace? What role, if any, exists for other actors, such as the United Nations, the European Union, international governmental organizations, or nongovernmental organizations in the peace-building process in Iraq? Are there models of conflict resolution or peace-building that appear particularly appropriate for the situation in Iraq? Mr. Jackson shares slides of his two most recent trips to Iraq. family conflicts? A question and answer session concludes this presentation. (60 minutes)

Carrie Gaines, of the President's Peace Commission, hosts this panel featuring Dr. Vicki A. Williams, the coordinator of Judicial Affairs and Community Development at St. Mary's University, and Dr. Milo Colton, professor of criminal justice at St. Mary's University. The panelists address these questions: What approaches to effectively resolving conflict have been used by various cultures, e.g. the Yakima and other American Indian tribes? What considerations need to be taken into account in considering gender differences in resolving conflicts? What considerations should be taken when resolving conflicts between individuals of different cultures? A question and answer session concludes this presentation. (69 minutes)

Shivani Singh, of the President's Peace Commission, hosts this session featuring Karen Ball, a mediator, and Sharon Breckineridge Thomas, J.D., acting director of Academic Excellence, Law School at St. Mary's University. The panelists seek to answer these questions: What is an arbitration clause and how does it affect the consumer? Who should be able to agree to an aribtration clause, e.g. multinational corporations, governments, labor organizations? What are some of the consequences to the greater public good of settling conflicts through arbitration? A question and answer session concludes this presentation. (53 minutes)