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Advanced Training in Facilitating Problem-Solving Workshops
April 8 - 9th, 2016
April 8th : 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM
April 9th: 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Point of View International Retreat and Research Center
7301 Old Spring Road
Lorton, VA
The School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (George Mason University) in partnership with the International Peace and Conflict Resolution Program (American University) and the Conflict Resolution Institute (University of Denver) is pleased to offer an Advanced Skill Training Weekend on the facilitative method of the problem-solving workshop (PSW), pioneered by John Burton, Herbert Kelman and other scholar-practitioners in the field of conflict resolution.
The advanced workshop will build on the knowledge and skills gained in the basic introductory workshop. However, it will not attempt to give participants an experience of the entire workshop process from start to finish. Rather, it will focus on a small number of key aspects of the overall problem-solving approach for in depth examination.
Topics will include:
• Timing and Focus Intervention
• Coping with Power Imbalances
• Cultural Factors
• Essential Process Skills
• Re-entry
• Reflective Practice for PSW Facilitators
The weekend will involve participants in exercises that will present them with a variety of practical and analytical problems to be addressed, and exercises based on vignettes drawn from real world cases of intractable and protracted conflict. Background readings will be provided on these two cases - likely to involve conflicts in the Middle East and Darfur/Sudan. The weekend workshop is free of charge to invited participants and will be held at the “Point of View” retreat and conference center at Mason Neck, VA, about 30 minutes South of Washington D.C. Directions and opportunities for carpooling will be provided to participants. The workshop is non-residential and the sessions will be held from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM on Saturday, April 8nd and from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM on Sunday, April 9th. Refreshments will be provided, but please do bring your own lunch and snacks. A pre-workshop reading packet will be provided and all other materials and supplies will be available at Point of View.
This is the last of three workshops that will be open to invited participants who have completed the Introductory PSW Training in the last two years. Participants will be expected to familiarize themselves with pre-workshop background reading material and a reading packet will be provided prior to the weekend. [All other materials and supplies will be available at the training.]
Further details plus application forms are available on line here, and forms should be returned as directed to Laura Villanuenva [email protected] [S-CAR] /Nicole Smith [email protected] [AU]. The deadline for applications is Tuesday, April 4th. Additional enquiries should be sent to Dr. Mitchell at [email protected]
(Please note that there are limited numbers of places available so not all applications may be accepted)