Education

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USIP's Education and Professional Training programs, along with the Center for Mediation and Conflict Resolution, hosted this program that brought together a class of 25 conflict resolution professionals working across Track I and Track II international environments. Jacki Wilson and David Smith moderated the program, and featured presenters included Chester Crocker of Georgetown University, Ambassador Alexander Watson of Hills and Company, Bob Perito of USIP, and former Middle East envoy Dennis Ross.

Chester A. Crocker opened the program with remarks on when one should and should not mediate: do not mediate when you are more eager than the parties are to reach a settlement; do mediate when there is something "dynamic" in the situation that you might grab hold of. Crocker noted that sometimes the fresh mandate of a new mediator can be that very dynamic thing.

Dennis Ross discussed a number of the key points mentioned in his new book Statecraft: And How to Restore America's Standing in the World, including myths associated with mediation, such as mediators being dispassionate and "leaving their emotions at the door"; key attributes of a good mediator, such as being a good listener; and important elements of mediation, such as determining what the two sides have in common. In his last point, Ross reflected on why he was not successful in peace negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians. He commented that at the outset of the process, he did not formulate a proper test to determine the success of the negotiations. He closed by explaining that some conflicts cannot be solved, but they can be managed and contained.

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