In recognition of International Conflict Resolution Day on Thursday, Oct. 16, the University of Colorado at Boulder will host a day of workshops and events that address the various ways in which discussion around conflict can lead to productive outcomes. Chancellor G.P. "Bud" Peterson has proclaimed Oct. 16 to be Conflict Resolution Day on the Boulder campus.
"The workshops explore different ways in which conflict can happen and how skilled communication can help to defuse tension and unproductive talk, bringing discussion around to resolution," said Tom Sebok, director of the CU-Boulder Ombuds Office.
All CU-Boulder events held in connection with Conflict Resolution Day are free and open to the public.
As a precursor to Conflict Resolution Day, political hopefuls and political experts will participate in an "Un-Debate" at CU-Boulder on Tuesday, Oct. 14. The event is the first of its kind in political circles and a new approach to debate that encourages nuanced discussion of issues.
Jared Polis, Scott Starin and Bill Hammons, candidates in Colorado's 2nd Congressional District, will participate in the "Un-Debate" facilitated by Mary Margaret Golten, a partner at CDR Associates.
Discussants will include former CU President Hank Brown, former U.S. senator and current Quigg and Virginia S. Newton Endowed Chair in Leadership at CU-Boulder; Rollie Heath, candidate for the Colorado Senate in the 18th District; Stan Deetz, CU-Boulder professor of communication and director of Peace and Conflict Studies; and Susan Clark, CU-Boulder professor of political science and director of the Center for Advanced Research in the Social Sciences.
The "Un-Debate" will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Wittemyer Courtroom of the Wolf Law Building on the CU-Boulder campus. Overflow seating will be provided in an adjacent classroom with audio and video access.
CU students involved in the event have chosen the economy and education as the focus of discussion. According to Deetz, the "Un-Debate" is best conceived of as a working experiment: the goal is to identify shared interests and mutual outcomes rather than to express pre-existing positions.
"This is a new model for political discourse," said Deetz. "It's an attempt to emphasize the exploration of issues, particularly as politics reach higher levels of complexity and importance."
A debriefing on the "Un-Debate" will be held on Thursday, Oct. 16, in University Memorial Center room 247 from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. to assess how well the event's goals were achieved and to advise on improving the model.
The complete schedule of Oct. 16 CU Conflict Resolution Day events includes:
o 8-9:15 a.m. -- "Communication and Conflict" with moderator Tom Sebok
o 9:30-10:45 a.m. -- "Constructive Confrontation" with moderators Guy and Heidi Burgess
o 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. -- "The Basics of Dialogue" with moderator Barbara Kulton
o 12:30-1:45 p.m. -- "Debriefing of Oct. 14 Un-Debate" with moderator Stan Deetz
o 2-3:15 p.m. -- "Restorative Justice Demonstration" with moderator Gina Bata
o 3:30-4:45 p.m. -- "Managing Faculty Conflict" with moderator John Frazee
More information is available on the Peace and Conflict Studies Web site at /.