NCJ Number
99896
Journal
Villanova Law Review Volume: 29 Issue: 6 Dated: (1983-1984) Pages: 1463-1476
Date Published
1984
Length
14 pages
Annotation
A discussion of the history and current uses of nonprofessionals in community dispute resolution concludes that even though conflict resolution will become a profession with its own identity, the field should not become totally dominated by professionals.
Abstract
Community conflict resolution began in the early 1970's in response to the awareness of the formal, professionally dominated justice system. The diverse types or programs included the night prosecutor program in Columbus, Ohio, the community dispute services opened in Rochester, New York, and Philadelphia by the American Arbitration Association, and a mediation service opened by a community-controlled agency in Chester, Pa. The programs grew during the 1970's. About 225 conflict resolution centers are operating today. Two contrasting models used are court-sponsored or agency-sponsored programs and formal, community-controlled programs. The use of a formal structure oriented to professionalism tends to limit the focus of inquiry. In contrast, less formal mediation programs permit greater flexibility in exploring underlying problems and reaching agreements. They also emphasize the use of conflict resolution skills throughout the daily activities of the mediators. A recent worldwide survey of conflict resolvers found that many respondents were building conflict resolution skills into a variety of professional settings and that only a quarter defined their occupation as conflict resolution. Nonprofessional conflict resolvers used their skills in a wide variety of tasks. Building these skills into current or new professions should make for more gentle, people-oriented service. The field should not be handled exclusively by professionals; all types of people have creative potential that can be useful. 35 footnotes.