THIRD MEN IN NEW ARENAS OF CONFLICT - AN ASSESSMENT OF THE WORK OF THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR DISPUTE SETTLEMENT (AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION)

• NCJ Number: 68716
• Author(s): J H LAUE
• Date Published: 1970
• Length: 91 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Ford Foundation
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

AN EVALUATION OF THE WORK OF THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR DISPUTE SETTLEMENT IS PRESENTED, EMPHASIZING RACIAL ASPECTS OF DISPUTE SETTLEMENT.

Abstract

THE CENTER IS A DIVISION OF THE AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION (AAA). IT WAS ESTABLISHED IN MAY 1968 FOR THE PURPOSE OF OFFERING A MEANS AND METHOD FOR SETTLING DISPUTES, INCLUDING THOSE IN THE INNER CITY GHETTO AREAS. THE THREE MAJOR ARENAS FOR THE CENTER'S ACTIVITY NOW INCLUDE THE COMMUNITY, THE CAMPUS, AND PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT. THE CENTER IS LINKED WITH 21 REGIONAL AAA OFFICES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, AND SPECIALIZED PANELS OF ARBITRATORS NOW INCLUDE MORE THAN 25,000 PERSONS. SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE THREE SUBSTANTIVE AREAS OF CONCERN INCLUDE ESTABLISHING LOCAL BASES, DIRECT INTERVENTION IN DISPUTES, DEVELOPING SYSTEMS TO INSTITUTIONALIZE DISPUTE SETTLEMENT MECHANISMS, AND TRAINING OF NEUTRALS AND ADVOCATES. BOSTON, PITTSBURGH, AND NEWARK ARE LIKELY TO BE THE NEXT LOCATIONS FOR FUTURE CENTER OPENINGS. AS A RESULT OF NUMEROUS INTERVIEWS WITH CENTER DIRECTORS AND STAFF, AS WELL AS EXAMINATIONS OF DOCUMENTED ACTIVITIES, IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE CENTER HAS BECOME FIRMLY ESTABLISHED AS A NATIONAL, PRIVATE RESOURCE IN THE FIELD OF DISPUTE SETTLEMENT. WITH TWO EXCEPTIONS, INTERVIEWEES GENERALLY AGREED ON THE NEED FOR A NONGOVERNMENTAL RESOURCE OF THIS TYPE. TO DATE, PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS SUCH AS THE STAFF MEMBERS' EXPERIENCE, PERSONAL CONTACTS, AND RACE HAVE BEEN MORE IMPORTANT IN STIMULATING DEMAND FOR SERVICES THAN THE PARTICULAR INSTITUTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CENTER. THE CENTER WILL, IN THE FUTURE, BE SPENDING LESS TIME IN DIRECT INTERVENTION IN DISPUTES AND MORE IN SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING. MOST ACTIVITIES HAVE FOCUSED ON THE AREA EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI AND NORTH OF THE MASON-DIXON LINE, AND WHEN A RACIAL AXIS HAS BEEN PRESENT, IT HAS BEEN BLACK/WHITE ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY. THE CENTER MUST NOW CONSIDER HOW DISPUTE SETTLEMENT TECHNIQUES CAN BE REFINED TO ACCOMPLISH OPTIMUM INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE.