Abstract
This chapter describes many of the principles, lessons, and practices derived from nearly 20 years of experience developing Community Conferencing programs. While focusing on one unique and long-standing conferencing program in inner-city Baltimore, Maryland (USA), a variety of issues are explored including (1) creative and effective program implementation as well as (2) the development of theory and principles that help sustain high quality services. Lessons are gleaned from Conferencing programs internationally. These point us in new directions for systemic reform in criminal justice, education, and community development.
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Notes
- 1.
For example, many conferencing programs are run within juvenile justice institutions, or by individual schools.
- 2.
The Community Conferencing Center developed a customized database in 2003, which captures in-depth information about each referral, conference, and participants. These data are compiled quarterly, and can be obtained upon request at info@communityconferencing.org.
- 3.
This is because most of the funding is directed towards youth cases. However, the CCC readily accepts referrals for adult criminal cases, workplace and neighborhood conflicts – comprising 5 % of referrals to the CCC.
- 4.
The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) has an annual budget of approximately $250 million. DJS funded 20 % of the diversion services provided by the Community Conferencing Center from 2004 to 2008, The CCC secured one-time-only funding from two sources to cover DJS, and other state-wide, funding cuts in FY10. More creative and diversified sources of funding are being explored for the future, including the application of dialogue circles and “Reintegration Conferences” with returning soldiers.
- 5.
Fisher and Ury’s classic text Getting to Yes (1981) is the widely-read and cited early formulation of interest-based negotiation theory, and has since been promulgated through the Harvard Negotiation Project. The theory of interest-based negotiation has informed mediation practice over several decades. A mediator assists disputing parties to negotiate an agreement that meets their interests.
- 6.
As it happens, the distinction had been made in international relations literature decades earlier, but had not been widely applied in the field of inter-personal and small group negotiation (Dunn 2004).
- 7.
“Circles” refers generally to a variety of inclusive and participatory dialogue processes which are convened by a “circle keeper” or facilitator, who is neutral (can also be thought of as being “equally caring of all participants”) and who provides the structure for the dialogue. Circles can be convened for a variety of purposes, such as healing, conflict transformation and planning. Appreciative Inquiry (Cooperrider and Whitney 2005) refers to a collaborative approach to change that helps a group focus on those things that are working well, and using the existing successes and healthy dynamics to guide and envision an energized plan for the future.
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Abramson, L., Abramson, L., Moore, D.B. (2014). Promoting Positive Peace One Block at a Time: Lessons from Innovative Community Conferencing Programs. In: Fritz, J. (eds) Moving Toward a Just Peace. Clinical Sociology: Research and Practice. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2885-1_11
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