UPCOMING ADR SEMINARS
An Ombuds Office is rarely understood. Normally, duties include helping and empowering people, explaining policies, providing a bottom up perspective, conflict coaching, giving information and organizational guidance, surfacing issues, identifying systemic trends, and helping people know where to go for other resources. Three distinguished experts from the Ombuds field will present a variety of topics related to Ombuds work. The panelists will define "Ombuds" from various perspectives including academia, private/corporate, federal internal, and federal external. Participants will learn how to start an Ombuds Office, the many tangible benefits of doing so, and how to create greater on-going success through best practices.
Association for Conflict Resolution Environment and Public Policy Section Conference on May 21-22, 2013 – Call for Session Proposals
The Environment and Public Policy (EPP) Section of the Association for Conflict Resolution welcomes proposals from Section members, agency personnel and others who would like to organize a session or deliver presentations at the 2013 EPP Section Conference. The conference will be held on May 21 and 22, 2013 on the campus of American University (AU) in Washington, DC. This year's conference is being held in partnership with the Center for Environmental Policy at AU. The theme for the 2013 conference is "Dialogue in an Era of Divisiveness," and the conference tracks include Achieving Breakthroughs, Innovative Approaches for Dealing with Differences, and an Open Track for collaborative governance, collaborative capacity-building, and other current topics.
Symposium on Federal Alternative Dispute Resolution Programs: Successes and Challenges
On March 19, 2012, the Department of Justice hosted a Symposium on ADR, co-sponsored by the Interagency ADR Working Group (IADRWG) and the Administrative Conference of the United States (ACUS) with Chairman Paul Verkuil moderating the discussion. Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr., the head of the ADR Working Group, described the Department's long standing commitment to ADR use and cited many of the impressive results of the use of mediation in resolving disputes with citizens and across the federal government. Other panelists showcased new and innovative programs involving workplace disputes, enforcement of regulations, contracts disputes with the government and other new and emerging areas.
What is the Interagency Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Working Group?
We are the central forum and resource for information about the federal government's use of ADR. We advance the use of ADR through:
- Coordination of multi-agency initiatives
- Promotion of best practices and programs
- Dissemination of policy and guidance
Joanna M. Jacobs
Director and Senior Counsel
Office of Dispute Resolution
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 4529
Washington, DC 20530-0001
