From the Editors
The theme of this issue of ACResolution Magazine is “Innovation and Conflict Resolution.”
Innovation is vital to the continued growth, development and use of conflict resolution, and
the articles in this issue illustrate some of the ways in which the field is exploring new ground.
We received more article proposals for this issue than for any other in the last two years,
and the proposed topics were wide-ranging. The articles selected for this issue explore the
creative use of technology, the design and use of collaborative processes, the application
of conflict resolution in new geographic areas, and a different way of viewing our role in
resolving conflicts.
We start with Giuseppe Leone, who created a world-wide “virtual mediation lab” where
new mediators can practice skills and seasoned mediators can try out new techniques.
Next, Sherrill Hayes, a parenting coordinator, offers practice tips for working with parents
who use technology to engage in battle against each other. Kurt Dettman and Chris Kane
describe collaborative ways that neutrals can add value to public infrastructure construction
projects by improving project delivery. Gerald Clay and Tracey Wiltgen describe how
they adapted the partnering approach developed for the construction industry to design
a conflict prevention process that can be customized for use by government agencies,
non-profit organizations, businesses and other groups. In a similar fashion, by adapting
parenting coordination to elder care, Linda Fieldstone and Sue Bronson, chairs of the ACR
Eldercaring Coordination Task Force, write about their work in developing eldercaring
coordination to complement existing services for high-conflict families. María Mercedes
Albornoz and Nuria González Martín discuss the promise and challenges of on-line
dispute resolution in Latin America and emerging countries. Finally, Woody Mosten, a
forward-thinking leader in our field, challenges mediators to have the courage to broaden
their scope to embrace peacemaking.
The images accompanying the articles are from patents filed with the US Patent and
Trademark Office. The stated purpose of the patent system is to stimulate innovation, and
we thought it would be fitting to use patent drawings to illustrate our theme.
We hope these articles stimulate you to try some of the described approaches in your own
practice or develop your own innovations.
Bill Stempel
Cindy Alm
Co-Editors, ACResolution Magazine
IN OUR NEXT ISSUE
The Fall 2013 issue of ACResolution Magazine will focus on books for and about the
field of conflict resolution. The articles and reviews will look at classics and newly
published books that can sharpen your skills, expand your practice, broaden your
perspective, and perhaps inspire you. Look for it in early December (in time for your
holiday book shopping).
ORDERING INFORMATION
ACResolution Magazine is available on a
print-on-demand basis from HP MagCloud.
Go to www.magcloud.com and search for
ACResolution. There are single and multiple
copy options with the cost based on the
number of pages in the issue and the delivery
method chosen. For example, a 32-page
issue delivered by U.S. Mail will cost about
$9.00; HP MagCloud also offers Federal
Express or other express delivery service for
a higher cost. (Please note that these are
HP MagCloud’s current prices, which may
change in the future. ACR does not set or get
any share of the price.)
