Dispute Resolution Day
on George Hamilton (Jamaica), 22/Oct/2010 02:59, 34 days ago
The Dispute Resolution foundation staff (where George works) wore blue today and hosted a dominos tournament with 100 participants from rivaling neighbourhoods with an aim to build peace to celebrate the international Conflict Resolution Day which was started in the US to promote awareness of mediation, arbitration, conciliation and other creative, peaceful means of resolving conflict in schools, families, businesses, communities, governments and the legal system; to recognize the significant contributions of peaceful conflict resolvers; and to encourage celebrations by individuals and organizations around the world. George says about 20 countries world wide celebrate Conflict Resolution Day which began 5 years ago.On a day-to-day basis, one of the things DRF accomplishes towards dispute resolution is ensuring that students suspended from school don't just get the day, week or month off, left to their own devices which typically would lead to a life on the streets with more of the same kind. Instead they are required to attend seminars and training at the DRF centres but they also have lots of time to socialize with others in the same position but instead of learning the ropes on the street, they are provided with a structured environment where they can play dominos or other games under supervision. The staff also helps them explore social issues such as sexuality and AIDS/HIV or other matters that they may not be willing to discuss with their parents at home.