The ACR International Section currently has over 400 members from 26 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!

Please Join Us for International Day at the
ACR 8th Annual Conference in Austin, Texas!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Are you involved in – or interested in exploring – conflict management and resolution at the international level? If so International Day is for you! Start the day inspired by a keynote speaker who facilitates peace processes in parts of the world that are rife with conflict. Then hear about best practices for and lessons learned from promoting mediation and peacemaking. During the afternoon you will have plenty of time to network, a chance to discuss what is most important to you and other attendees, and the opportunity to contribute to a question and answer session with the recipient of the International Development Committee’s 2008 Outstanding Leadership Award.

Agenda

8:00 to 8:30 am

Registration & Continental Breakfast

8:30 to 10:00 am

Welcome & Introduction of Keynote Speaker
Keynote Speaker: Michael van Walt van Praag
Executive President & co-founder of Kreddha

Michael van Walt van Praag is the executive president and co-founder of Kreddha, the International Peace Council for States, Peoples and Minorities, based in The Hague. Kreddha is a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention and sustainable resolution of conflicts between population groups and the governments of the states within which they live. Dr. van Walt currently facilitates three intrastate peace processes for the organization and teaches international law at Golden Gate University in San Francisco. He practiced law previously with the law firms of Wilmer, Cutler and Pickering, and Pettit and Martin. He has served in several advisory roles, including UN senior legal advisor to the minister of foreign affairs of the East Timor transitional government (UNTAET) in 2002, UNDP consultant on indigenous peoples in the Sakha Republic of the Russian Federation in 1994, advisor to the Chechen government delegation on their negotiations with the Russian Federation from 1994 to 1997, and, since 1985, legal advisor to the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government in exile.

10:30 to 12:30 am 3-Concurrent Sessions:

* Salon A - 8087 – Getting Past Nyet: Avoiding the minefields (literal and metaphorical) when promoting mediation abroad

* Salon B - 8184 – Re-inventing the mediation wheel? Helping create international mediation cultures

* Salon C - 8095 - Women’s Participation in Peacemaking Efforts During and After Serious and Protracted Conflicts

12: 30 - 1:30 pm - Networking LUNCH (Provided)

Usually by lunch time International Day attendees realize there are so many other interesting participants, but there is so little time to get to know each other! This year we will facilitate networking over lunch by providing box lunches…and suggested conversation topics!

1:30 - 3:30 pm - OPEN SPACE

ACR’s biggest asset is the diverse experience base and expertise of our members from all over the world. Come talk about what’s most important to you! Open Space Technology is a facilitation technique that allows participants to determine their own topics of conversation. Participants group themselves according to areas of interest and hear directly from each other to increase tailored learning and relationship-building.

3:30 - 4:00 pm Coffee Break

4:00 - 5:30pm - Presentation of the IDC 2008 Outstanding Leadership Award and discussion with recipient

And the winner is…. Join us to find out – and to participate in a discussion with the award recipient! The International Development Committee of ACR’s International Section has created an annual award to honor outstanding work promoting conflict resolution in development projects around the world. The prize aims to celebrate leadership in the field and draw attention to the importance of conflict resolution and conflict management in creating stronger democracies and economies. Partners for Democratic Change received the 2007 award for the organization’s work building sustainable local capacity to advance civil society and a culture of change and conflict management worldwide. Judge Gladys Alvarez of Argentina received the 2006 award for her successful efforts to spread mediation throughout Latin America.

6:30 pm ACR Welcome Reception and Exhibitors Open House