I was thinking of the issues evolving in the gulf from the oil leak and felt the integration of conflict resolution principles are greatly needed. When I saw the latest Udall Foundation Newsletter, I thought it was a very relevant opportunity to share the upcoming training sessions from the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution. Here they are:

UPCOMING U.S. INSTITUTE TRAINING SESSIONS ~ 2010

Those interested in learning about environmental collaboration and conflict resolution are welcome to register
for the following open training sessions sponsored by the
U.S. Institute:

• ECR 401: Advanced Multi-Party Negotiation of Environmental Disputes, Arlington, VA, June 15-17, 2010
  This training provides a practicum for high-level
  managers to explore best practices in ECR, triage complex
  environmental disputes, create constructive atmosphere
  and dialogue, champion teams, and enable solutions.
  The training will use a scenario-based practice
  opportunity to analyze complex environmental disputes and
  formulate a plan of action for dealing with both
  immediate and longer term needs.
  
  
• ECR & NEGOTIATION 201: Facilitation Fundamentals, Arlington, VA, June 29-30, 2010
  Prepare for role as an in-house agency facilitator in
  connection with an environmental dispute. Requires
  experience with environmental conflict situations and
  skill in organizing. Practice techniques to plan and
  convene a meeting and manage complexities of group
  dynamics and logistics.
  
  
• ECR 301: Collaboration Skills, Denver, CO, August 3-5, 2010
  Skills in collaboration are recognized as helping an
  individual to work more effectively and efficiently.
  This training helps develop advanced skills in
  collaboration; multi-party negotiation; conflict
  prevention, management and resolution; meeting
  facilitation; and alternative dispute resolution.
  
  
• GTG 201: Government-to-Government - Laying the Groundwork for Effective Government-to-Government
  Consultation, Arlington, VA, August 17-19, 2010
  Participants will:
  
  • Develop awareness of key concepts of government-to-government consultation and principles for
    building trust between sovereigns;
    
  • Learn different ways to manage information, communication, decision making, roles, and
    responsibilities; and
    
  • Deepen appreciation for tribal preferences, the meaning of cultural and sacred sites, and of how
    historic events and federal Indian policies have
    shaped government-to-government relationships.
    
  
  
• ECR 401: Advanced Multi-Party Negotiation of Environmental Disputes, Denver, CO September 14-16, 2010
  This training provides a practicum for high-level
  managers to explore best practices in ECR, triage
  complex environmental disputes, create constructive
  atmosphere and dialogue, champion teams, and enable
  solutions. The training will use a scenario-based
  practice opportunity to analyze complex environmental
  disputes and formulate a plan of action for dealing with
  both immediate and longer term needs.
  

More sessions will be added to the Web site throughout the year. For additional information and to register for
U.S. Institute courses, see the Training tab at www.ecr.gov.