Association for Conflict Resolution

Association for Conflict Resolution
Name	Association for Conflict Resolution
Abbreviation	ACR
Type	Professional association
Headquarters	United States
Region served	International
Leader title	President

Association for Conflict Resolution is a professional membership organization focused on alternative dispute resolution practices such as mediation, arbitration, and facilitation. It serves practitioners, scholars, and institutions involved with conflict management across sectors including courts, workplaces, community settings, and international disputes. The organization engages with allied bodies, legal institutions, and educational entities to promote standards, training, and public policy dialogue.

History

The origins of the organization trace back to movements that involved figures and institutions associated with Alternative dispute resolution, ADR in the United States, and postwar dispute settlement initiatives linked to United Nations peacebuilding efforts and United States Institute of Peace programs. Early influences included models from American Bar Association, National Center for State Courts, and nonprofit projects inspired by practitioners associated with JAMS, Pepperdine University School of Law, and Harvard Law School clinical programs. The group's formation paralleled developments such as the growth of Employment dispute resolution, the expansion of Family law mediation in state courts like those of California and New York, and policy debates involving the Federal Arbitration Act. Over time the organization cultivated relationships with entities like American Psychological Association, American Arbitration Association, and international networks exemplified by International Mediation Institute and Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution.

Organization and Structure

Governance features a board and committees modeled on professional societies such as American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution, National Association for Community Mediation, and university-based centers including Mediation Clinic at Cornell Law School. Executive leadership often includes practitioners with affiliations to courts like the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, state agencies such as the California Courts, and civic organizations like Commonwealth Secretariat dispute programs. Committees cover ethics, standards, training, and international affairs, drawing expertise from institutions such as Columbia Law School, Stanford Graduate School of Business, and University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Regional chapters mirror structures used by groups like National Council on Crime and Delinquency and collaborate with municipal bodies including New York City Mayor's Office mediation initiatives.

Membership and Chapters

Membership encompasses mediators, arbitrators, facilitators, trainers, and academics affiliated with organizations such as American Arbitration Association, International Chamber of Commerce, and World Bank dispute resolution units. Chapters operate in states and cities with civic infrastructures similar to Los Angeles County, Cook County, King County, and national affiliates that interact with foreign ministries and institutions like Foreign Ministry of the United Kingdom and Government of Canada reconciliation programs. Members include professionals connected to law firms, nonprofit groups like National Conflict Resolution Center, and university centers including Pepperdine Straus Institute, Harvard Negotiation Project, and MIT Department of Urban Studies and Planning. Student and early-career tracks reflect models from Harvard Law School Negotiation & Mediation Clinic and associations like International Chamber of Commerce Young Arbitrators Forum.

Programs and Services

Programs include training, certification, dispute system design, and court mediation initiatives akin to services offered by American Bar Association, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, and private providers like JAMS. Services include continuing education comparable to seminars at Columbia Law School and workshops in partnership with organizations such as International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution, World Health Organization civil society projects, and reconciliation programs aligned with Truth and Reconciliation Commission (South Africa). The organization coordinates conferences resembling events held by Society of Professionals in Dispute Resolution and delivers webinars leveraging platforms used by International Court of Justice outreach units and university extension programs at University of California, Berkeley Extension.

Publications and Research

The association produces newsletters, practice guides, and reports on topics related to mediation, arbitration, and restorative justice, paralleling publications from Journal of Dispute Resolution, Harvard Negotiation Law Review, and policy briefs similar to those of RAND Corporation. Research collaborations have involved scholars from Yale Law School, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, and think tanks such as Brookings Institution and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Resources include model standards influenced by documents from American Bar Association ethics codes, empirical studies akin to work by Pew Research Center, and case studies comparable to those published by International Crisis Group.

Awards and Recognition

The organization confers awards and honors that recognize distinguished service, innovative practice, and scholarship, echoing awards from American Arbitration Association, ABA Section of Dispute Resolution, and accolades similar to the Pulitzer Prize–level recognition in legal commentary. Recipients have included leaders with career paths connected to United States Supreme Court mediation initiatives, eminent arbitrators from International Chamber of Commerce, and academics affiliated with Harvard Law School and Oxford University. The awards program highlights contributions to public service similar to honors bestowed by National Mediation Board and civic commendations from municipal governments such as City of Chicago.

Category:Professional associations Category:Alternative dispute resolution