AAA-ICDR Foundation funds collaboration between Ohio State University Moritz College of Law Divided Community Project, Fordham Law School, Stanford Law School and National Civic League to create Community Conflict Resolution Training Academies.

New York (NY) – June 1, 2023. The American Arbitration Association-International Centre for Dispute Resolution Foundation® (AAA-ICDR Foundation®) awards The Divided Community Project (DCP) at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law (through the Ohio State University Foundation) $250,000 to advance DCP’s National Academy Initiative. DCP, in collaboration with Fordham Law School, Stanford Law School, and the National Civic League, will lead, design and host four community dispute resolution-focused training programs over the next two years. These Academies will build upon the work of DCP’s Academy Programs (see DCP case studies on Bloomington (IN), Kenyon College, and Winston-Salem (NC)).

Carl Smallwood, DCP Director expressed “excitement to bring collaborators from Fordham Law School, Stanford Law School, and the National Civic League to co-create and spread the Academy Program concept. DCP will leverage the depth and diversity of these dynamic law school dispute resolution programs as well as the expertise of the National Civic League to enhance curriculum and expand capacity for embedding dispute systems design concepts in communities across the country.”

Fordham Law School is eager to extend the power and capacity of the Academy Program concept. Fordham law professor John Feerick stated “we look forward to sharing our expertise with these outstanding partners to enhance the positive impact of dispute design concepts and to bring mediation and facilitation training to many of our conflicted communities. “

Director Janet Martinez added that Stanford Law School and its Martin Daniel Gould Center for Conflict Resolution are immensely honored to collaborate with the DCP, Fordham, and the National Civic League on this series of workshops. “We aim to draw on the experience of others to better assess the elements of community conflict, strengthen their cooperative leadership, and leverage that learning for a more productive and just future.”

The National Civic League, which also facilitates strategic planning processes, community engagement trainings, and development of local engagement plans and materials is pleased to be part of this partnership. League president Doug Linkhart said that “communities throughout the U.S. are struggling with conflict and polarization. There is a great need for training in how to mediate disputes, mitigate conflict and create a stronger sense of community.”

For more information about these programs, please visit https://go.osu.edu/dcpacademy.