Problem Solving Workshop Training

Skills Training Program

      The Center regularly conducts a number of two-day, skills training workshops during the Fall and Spring semesters, focused mainly on introducing participants to the process of conducting problem solving workshops [PSWs] and the skills that are necessary in making these small group, intermediary initiatives a success.The Workshops are conducted in conjunction with the International Peace and Conflict Resolution Program of the School of International Service at American University, with the Center for Conflict Analysis at the University of Denver, and with the Program on Conflict Management at the University of Baltimore.  Students from all three programs take part, as well as others interested in this approach to peaceful conflict resolution.  Faculty teaching these workshops are drawn from leading institutions involved in practical peacemaking as well as undertaking research and theory building into peacemaking and peace-building processes*. 

     The weekend workshops are typically conducted at S-CAR’s conference and retreat center at Point of View, Mason Neck, starting on Saturday morning and ending on Sunday afternoon.   Typically, the Center organizes two Introductory Workshops, one in the Fall semester [late October] and one in the Spring [early February]. These are followed in March by at least one Advanced Workshop  for those wishing to develop further skills in team facilitation and conducting workshops [and other types of facilitated dialogues]  between adversaries involved in protracted, intractable and deep rooted conflicts. Arrangements can be made for students to take these weekend courses as part of a postgraduate degree program [usually for one credit].  As a follow up, it is hoped to be able to involve some alumni in on-going PSWs seeking to contribute to peacemaking processes in continuing deep-rooted and intractable conflicts in various parts of the world.

Notices about details, dates, and venues will be posted on this page as they are decided, and preliminary enquiries should be direct to [email protected].

*Faculty involved in this program include:

Professors Ronald J. Fisher &  Mohammed Abu Nimer, American University.

Professor Tamra Pearson D’Estree, University of Denver

Professors Susan Allen, Arthur Romano & Christopher Mitchell, George Mason University

Professors Johannes [Jannie] Botes and Sascha Sheean, , University of Baltimore.

Professor Kate Romanova, The World Bank, Washington DC