Whats Happening [03.13.12]

Ombuds Program Informally Resolves 90% of Grad Student Grievances a...

Tom A. Kosakowski- An article in the UM student newspaper reports that a three-year old grievance procedure for graduate students is rarely used. The procedure was implemented in 2009 for graduate students who felt abused by their supervisors. Despite the extensive work that went into creating the remedy, the vast majority of aggrieved graduate students chose instead to use informal mechanisms offered by the campus Ombuds office.

Join host Jeff Thompson and Doug Noll, executive board member of Mediators Beyond Borders.

Doug shares how he got involved in MBB and conflict resolution work. They also discuss international conflict and the role MBB can take in developing peace on a global level. Get moreinformation on Doug's book, Elusive Peace: How Modern Diplomatic Strategies Could Better Resolve World Conflicts [here].

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That need to do “something”. #StopKony criticism.

Rebecca Sargent- When conflict or disaster strikes, often our first instinct is that “something” needs to be done to help those impacted. It’s an essential part of who we are as human beings, as a species with the capacity for empathy. But is this idea of just doing “something” without serious consideration into potential consequences a problem—if in doing “something”, “anything” to “help”—we unintentionally cause more harm on the very people we meant to help in the first place?[1]

This does not speak, in the slightest to one’s dedication or compassion or intention towards any cause or action, or make them any less truthful or meaningful or human for wanting to take action. It’s a good thing that people feel disgusted and motivated to want to take action, to do “something”; it is human beings suffering—and that deserves nothing less than disgust and motivation directed towards changing that.

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