The ACR International Section (ACRIS) currently has almost 400 members from 28 countries, and is one of the fastest growing ACR Sections. If you are not already a member, please join us in networking and promoting a culture of conflict resolution throughout the world!

International Day and the 2008 ACR Annual Conference were a great success, and we thank all those who attended and volunteered their services for the new year!  Please visit our links to the left to see the list of new Section Leaders, how the Conflict Resolution Networks are expanding, and what is happening with the International Development Committee.  We expect an exciting 2008-2009 year for the International Section, with the release of the IDC Directory, regional conferences in Zagreb Croatia, Mumbai India, and Buenos Aires Argentina, and with our other new initiatives.  Keep checking back to see how you can participate!

Mr. Luis Ore, Chair, International Development Committee of the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR) International Section; Ms. Kathleen Coogan, Chair, ACR International Section; Mr. Lee Hamilton, former congressman from Indiana; Mr. Shamil Fattakhov, recipient of the ACR International Section 2008 Outstanding Leadership Award 

Russian Peacemaker Receives International Leadership Award from Former Congressman Lee Hamilton on Behalf of the Association for Conflict Resolution
Austin, TX – In recognition of his leadership promoting creative processes that help people across the globe find peaceful solutions to conflicts, Shamil Fattakhov from Kazan, Russia, received the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR) International Development Committee 2008 Outstanding Leadership Award.  Former Indiana Congressman Lee Hamilton presented the award at ACR’s 8^th Annual Conference on September 23. In presenting the award, Hamilton expressed his admiration for Fattakhov’s dedication and innovation. Hamilton told the conference attendees that “my hunch is that your skills will be needed even more in the months and years ahead.” In particular, Hamilton acknowledged the importance of programs that are designed to teach conflict resolution skills to future generations.

Fattakhov, who has a background as a television producer in Russia, tells a funny story about how he came up with the idea for his work. When Russia first opened to the rest of the world in the early 1990s, one of the first shows he saw was the Jerry Springer show. It struck him that the show – and several like it – tended to demonstrate the worst possible outcome for its guests. He wanted to design a television program that would promote positive constructive solutions. Fattakhov tapped in to his creative background to then develop a series of television programs, as well as other educational programs involving youth and drama, to promote and teach the skills of conflict resolution and ethical decision making. His program has been implemented in 63 countries, on five continents. In Russia alone his program has aired on live television and radio shows in 22 cities.

In accepting the award, Fattakhov said, “What was important for me in initiating the program was to help young people to analyze their behavior, to think about the consequences, and to make ethically-based decisions.”

Previous award recipients are Partners for Democratic Change, an international non-profit, and Judge Gladys Alvarez of Argentina.  Please contact David Plumb, dplumb@cbuilding.org, or Merrick Hoben, mhoben@cbuilding.org, for further details or to nominate a recipient.