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Questions and AnswersWhat
kind of Peace Conference does your organization offer? What kind of Peace Conference does your organization offer?
How is PC different than mediation? Both processes work for a similar outcome. The Peace Conference process is more structured to make sure both parties talk about all relevant issues, and allows for complete closure with a signed peace agreement option. PC’s process maybe a bit more thorough because it has a integral interest in helping the parties further their relationship and their contribution/standing in the community, as a result of completing the Peace Conference. What is the best form of alternative dispute resolution? Talking and finding mutual agreement can allow all parties to find resolution and completion. Certainly the outcome of Peace Conferences, like any excellent mediation session, generally produces more satisfaction and compliance among its participants than those who use litigation where there may be lingering issues and on-going dissatisfaction. Another advantage of the Peace Conference is that it offers an innovative process, that allows positive solutions to be explored. You can create your own platform that allows you to present your concerns, and express yourself completely rather than have a judge or arbitrator impose a decision on you. Thus, you maintain the power jointly to decide what the best outcome is, rather than have someone else assume the answer and decide for you. How do the Peace Moderators guide the process along? Most of our Peace Moderators are volunteers, specially trained to facilitate discussions and maintain a ‘safe space’ that allows opposing parties to work out their own solution to any dispute or conflict. A Moderator ‘oversees’ the discussion to make sure each side has equal say and fair consideration on the matter. Although the Moderator may shuttle between the parties, usually all the parties meet with the mediator in a conference room setting at the same time. The parties may reach a peace agreement that is jointly signed or they can verbally agree to follow a new set of procedures, that can help guide their future interactions regarding particular issues. Most accords or outcomes settle the dispute at hand and allow the parties exciting new opportunities in cooperation and ‘getting along’. Are there any costs or hidden fees? When the Peace Conference is offered as a community service (such as disputes between neighbors, family, local groups or gangs) there is no charge. While most of our services are offered for free we do accept token donations and membership to continue our work. Who will be my Peace Conference Moderator? The moderator assigned to your problem by the Peace Conference Center will be a trained volunteer. All mediators are trained to be impartial and fair to all parties involved. What is the role of the Moderator? To aid in the discussions, the mediator may ask questions to gain an understanding of the issues, help the parties understand the other person's point of view, discuss weaknesses in the arguments of the parties, or make suggestions to solve the conflict. The mediator while encouraging a frank and open discussion, will not make any decisions. Will the Moderator be impartial? Yes, completely. Mediators are trained to heap all parties examine their situation fairly. What about sharing secret or private information? Moderators hold all communications in confidence during the mediation process and will not be a witness for nor against either party in an arbitration hearing or in a court of law. What if there is no settlement? We ask all parties
to continue the dialogue and negotiations towards a mutually agreed settlement
and come back to the Peace Conference table when they are ready. Arbitration is a private and informal adjudicatory process similar to a court hearing. The Arbitrator makes a decision that is legally binding and enforceable upon the parties. The hearing is much less formal in procedure than a court, but each party has the right to present proofs and arguments as in a court of law. In arbitration the disputants give up the power to create their own solution and place resolution of their problem in the hands of the Arbitrator. Neither Community Progress nor Peace Conference offer arbitration services. You can research arbitration organizations through the Yellow Pages or on-line. The outcome of mediation generally produces more satisfaction and compliance among its participants, than with litigation or arbitration. Copyright
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