Conflict resolution skills will be beneficial at some point in any community development project. Whether it be resolving disputes between community groups or between the community and outside forces, facilitating a dispute resolution process that is culturally-sensitive will lead to a more sustainable and successful community development process. However, not many field workers and development practitioners have the necessary skills in community mediation, facilitation, collaborative problem solving, conflict resolution, conflict transformation and even conflict transcendence. Our online course Community-Driven Dispute Resolution will equip participants with the skills and resources they need to resolve community disputes. The course instructor, Lee Scharf, has decades of experience working in marginalized communities and culturally-sensitive contexts. This course has received great reviews from past students and is a highly recommended addition to the Community Development Online Certificate program. Now registering for Community-Driven Dispute Resolution through March 10. Course runs March 15 – April 19, 2013.
Spring II Session
GSLL 1517 – Community-Based Organizing
Taking a practical “hands-on” perspective, this course will explore the theories, tools, styles and challenges of community-based organizing. It will discuss practical strategies for developing community leadership and working with marginalized communities, exploring the ideas and examples from Evo Morales, Paulo Freire, Saul Alinsky, Sub-Comandante Marcos, the Bridge Immigrant Rights experiment and Martin Heidegger.
