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About Us > Susan Wildau
Susan Wildau, Partner, has worked in the field of decision making and conflict management for over twenty years and is an internationally known mediator, facilitator, dispute systems designer, and trainer in the field of conflict management. She specializes in mediating and facilitating complex, multiparty public policy disputes and organizational conflicts and in building capacity in democratic decision making and conflict resolution in institutions throughout the world. Her dispute resolution work has brought her to Asia, Western and Eastern Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and Canada. She was trained as a mediator by CDR Associates (1979) and as a facilitator by Interaction Associates (1985). She holds a Masters degree from the University of Colorado in counseling with an emphasis in organization development. She is a member of the Society for Professionals in Dispute Resolution.
Ms. Wildau's extensive experience as an intermediary has focused on facilitating or mediating multiparty public, environmental, organizational, and labor management issues, where building or preserving effective working relationships is critical for reaching and implementing agreements. She has acted as an intermediary in both the U.S. and abroad, and is experienced in working with groups from different cultural, ethnic, professional, technical and organizational backgrounds.
Wildau has assisted parties to successfully address and resolve contentious issues over policy development, negotiated rule making, growth management, water development and use, land use, air quality, industry standards, organizational restructuring, board staff relations, collective bargaining, headquarters and regional office relations, intra- and inter-departmental differences, personnel grievances, ethnic relations and charges of discrimination.
Ms. Wildau's background as a designer of customized decision making and dispute resolution systems includes clients and projects in both the private and public sectors, and in numerous countries around the world. She specializes in the development and implementation of systems that promote high participant involvement, and the development of consensus-based and cooperative decision-making structures and agreements.
Wildau has assisted in the development of personnel dispute resolution systems for clients such as the Federal Reserve Bank, U S WEST Communications, and the State of Colorado; and public decision making and dispute resolution procedures and systems for the Board of Governors of the U.S. Federal Reserve, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the United Nations, Organization of American States, Agriculture Canada, the Ministry of Justice in Sri Lanka, and Bulgarian municipalities.
Ms. Wildau is an internationally recognized consultant and trainer in conflict management procedures and skills. She has designed and conducted hundreds of seminars for organizations, and prepared individuals to be either more effective advocates or intermediaries. A major focus of Wildau's training work focuses on customized capacity-building programs to prepare individuals and organizations to manage and resolve specific kinds of problems. Wildau has had a highly diverse training clientele including: U S WEST Learning Systems; the Federal Reserve Bank; U.S. Minerals Management Service, and Environmental Protection Agency; the United Nations; the Organization of American States; the Rijkswaterstaat (Netherlands); GTZ (Germany); Solidarity (Poland); and bar associations, continuing legal education programs and conflict management associations in Canada and Germany.
The provision of third party neutral services to assist in cooperative decision making or dispute resolution within or between various stakeholder groups or diverse nationalities, racial, or ethnic groups.
The design and development of culturally relevant and appropriate consensus decision-making and conflict management systems, structures, procedures and skills for various stakeholder groups or specific national, racial or ethnic groups.
The transfer of information about consensus or democratic decision-making and dispute resolution principles and procedures for citizen participation in cooperative problem solving and negotiation which have been developed in countries around the world.
The provision of custom-designed training programs in democratic decision making and conflict management procedures which are culturally relevant and appropriate.
Some of Ms. Wildau's international organizational projects include: developing a project to promote civil society and resolve ethnic conflict in Bulgaria; conducting collective bargaining and grievance resolution training for the Solidarity trade union in Poland; consulting and training for AVANTEL, a Mexican telecommunications company, to build effective working relationships between international staff; consultation and negotiation training for non-governmental organizations on environmental issues in Colombia; mediation skills training for black and white community leaders in South Africa.
Some of Ms. Wildau's international organizational projects include: Conducting collective bargaining and grievance resolution training for the Solidarity trade union in Poland; and consulting and training for AVANTEL, a Mexican telecommunications company, to build effective working relationships between international staff.
Several of Ms. Wildau's consultations and projects in the public and environmental dispute arenas include: consultation and training in public policy conflict management and democratic decision-making procedures for the Ministry of Environment and ecological groups in Poland; environmental negotiation training for NGOs in Colombia; environmental negotiation training for Indonesian government officials and NGO representatives; dispute systems design and culture-specific mediation training for the Ministries of Justice of Sri Lanka to initiate and establish nationwide civil dispute resolution systems; multiparty negotiation training, provided through the United Nations, for the Palestinian negotiating team participating in multilateral negotiations on water and environmental issues that are part of the Middle East peace talks; training U.N. diplomats and foreign service officers from a number of countries in international mediation procedures and skills; and assisting staff of the Organization of American States.
Ms. Wildau received her Bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of Colorado in 1968. She was trained as a mediator by the Center for Dispute Resolution (1979) and as a facilitator by Interaction Associates (1985). She holds a Masters degree from the University of Colorado in counseling with an emphasis in organization development. She is a member of the Society for Professionals in Dispute Resolution.
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ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC POLICY EXPERIENCE |
U.S. EPA Region VIII CERCLA Mediation (1998-present). Hired by the EPA as part of a team to design and carry out a dialogue among key stakeholders concerning the remedy at a controversial, high-profile CERCLA site. CDR initially conducted an assessment of the conflict and provided recommendations to stakeholders about different process options. Next steps likely will include making a final process recommendation, testing of stakeholder willingness to participate, and convening of the initial meeting.
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ). GmbH, Pilot Program on Institutional Development in Environment (PVI) Project (1995 to present). This German technical assistance and development agency has implemented a series of dispute resolution initiatives and training projects to address contentious development issues. Ms. Wildau has conducted a series of lectures, five-day seminars and skill-building sessions for GTZ's international project managers from Africa, Asia, and Latin America on applications of dispute resolution procedures to address environmental issues related to air quality, habitat protection, management of parks and game reserves, and water issues.
Federal Agency Rule Making (confidential) (1998). Co-facilitated a rule making session to assist a federal agency to establish a proposed national rule on rate setting.
The Association of German Mediators (1997). Gave presentations and participated in a consultation with members of this association focusing on applications and uses of public participation and multiparty stakeholder dialogues to address public policy and site specific environmental conflicts in Germany and the Netherlands.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Common Sense Initiative, Washington, DC (1994-1997). Served on the facilitation team for a U.S.E.P.A. sponsored national initiative of government, industry and public interest groups to develop innovative procedures for the electronics industry that are cleaner, cheaper and smarter and meet or better current regulatory standards. Issues being discussed include: regulatory reform; life-cycle product management; pollution prevention; innovative permitting, reporting and record keeping procedures; environmental technologies; and community/labor involvement in environmental management . Facilitated the Reporting and Public Information Access work group.
International Academy for the Environment, Geneva, Switzerland and Antalya, Turkey (1993-95). The International Academy for the Environment, a Swiss-based foundation, in conjunction with the World Bank and GTZ, initiated a project to build capacity in environmental negotiations, public involvement and dispute resolution in five countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. The project involved training staff from Ministries of the Environment, other government entities, and environmental NGOs in conflict management procedures and skills, and explored means to institutionalize the use and provision of dispute resolution services in targeted countries. Researched relevant environmental issues, designed seminars, prepared issue and culturally appropriate materials, developed culturally-acceptable procedures and taught a number of programs. The first program was successfully conducted in Antalya, Turkey in 1994.
Wood Furniture Industry Regulatory Negotiation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air and Radiation (1992-1994). Conducted a situation assessment and served as co-facilitator of a regulatory negotiation effort for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air and Radiation. The goal of the negotiation was to develop a national emission standard for hazardous air pollutants from the wood furniture industry as well as a guidance document for the states in the form of a control techniques guideline to reduce volatile organic compounds from the wood furniture industry. The negotiation committee included representatives from industry (wood furniture manufacturers, paint and coatings industry, resin manufacturers) as well as environmental and health-related non-governmental organizations, state air pollution agencies, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A consensus recommendation was reached by the negotiation committee. EPA used this agreement as the basis for the National Emissions Standard for Hazardous Air Pollution and the Control Techniques Guideline for the wood furniture industry.
United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Jerusalem (1993). The United Nations Development Program's (UNDP) Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (PAPP) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) sponsored a five-day seminar on Environmental Negotiations and Dispute Resolution. Served as the program's trainers along with the World Foundation for Environmental Development. The workshop was organized for Palestinian negotiators from the Palestinian Negotiation Teams for Water and the Environment, who were participating in the Middle East Peace talks. The seminar was divided into two parts; the first focused on imparting substantive knowledge on international environmental issues and negotiations, and the second focused on negotiation procedures, strategies, tactics, team organization and approaches to be used in next round of talks. In addition, Ms. Wildau facilitated a strategy design session for Palestinian negotiators.
FUNCOP and World Wildlife Fund, Popayan, Colombia, (1993). Ms. Wildau and staff members from RESOLVE presented a five-day seminar on Environmental Negotiations for environmental non-governmental agencies in Colombia. The program involved the presentation of cooperative negotiating procedures, public involvement principles and models, and descriptions of third party conflict management procedures. Ms. Wildau and RESOLVE prepared culture and issue-specific simulations to facilitate teaching conflict management skills and application to the participants' environmental problems. The program also involved a facilitated dialogue and strategy design session with participants to prepare them for up-coming negotiations with the private sector on environmental protection issues.
Environmental Conflict Management Training Project, Hungary-University of Minnesota Environmental Conflict Management Seminars (1993). Ms. Wildau and staff members from RESOLVE presented a five-day seminar of Environmental Conflict Management for government and non-governmental agencies in Hungary on negotiating economic and environmental trade-offs. The consultation also involved facilitated dialogue on how collaborative planning can be utilized to develop environmental policy.
Bureau of Reclamation-Mid-Pacific Region, Red Bluff Diversion Dam Fish Passage Program (1992-1993). Facilitated a multiparty process convened by the Bureau of Reclamation concerning the Red Bluff Diversion Dam Fish Passage Program. Ms. Wildau also consulted with the Bureau of Reclamation regarding its efforts to build consensus among the various stakeholder groups and the general public concerning the plan. At issue was how to increase fish passage sufficiently to satisfy the Endangered Species Act while continuing to provide water under contracts to agricultural interests. Parties included representatives of commercial and sport fishing industries, environmentalists, agricultural water users, and local economic and tourist interests. The negotiation culminated with agreement on a recommended plan of action.
Environmental Conflict Management: Practical Strategies for Resolving Ecological Issues, Hungary (1991). Designed and co-conducted a five-day seminar on Environmental Conflict Management for leaders from the Hungarian Ministry of the Environment, regional/local government agencies, non-governmental organizations, university faculty, and students. This seminar explored how environmental conflict management procedures-negotiation, facilitation, mediation-could be used to address enforcement, regulatory, site-specific, and public policy disputes. The program enabled participants to explore how they could initiate joint cooperative efforts to address critical environmental issues-air and water quality, and development in the country.
Center on Applied Conflictology and Educators for Peace and Mutual Understanding Russia, (1991). Co-conducted a five-day seminar on Environmental Conflict Management for environmental leaders in Russia. Participants included administrators from environmental agencies in the Russian Republic and leaders of Russian ecological groups. This seminar explored how conflicts of interest over economic development and environmental protection could be reconciled and resolved. The program examined how cooperative problem solving, negotiations, facilitation, and mediation could be used to resolve site-specific, regulatory enforcement and public policy disputes.
The Salzburg Seminar, Salzburg, Austria Negotiating Development and Environmental Trade-Offs Seminars (1991). Co-presented the negotiation and mediation process modules of a two-week seminar, sponsored by the Salzburg Seminar, an international organization that conducts educational dialogues and seminars to promote international communication and cooperation on critical world issues. The seminar was attended by 52 environmental professionals from governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations from over 30 nations.
Ministry of the Environment of the Republic of Poland and the Ministry of the Environment Conflict Management Seminars. (1990, 1991). Conducted a five-day seminar on Environmental Conflict Management for leaders from the Ministry of the Environment, regional/local government agencies and the Polish Ecological Club. This seminar explored how environmental conflict management procedures-negotiation, facilitation, mediation-could be used to address enforcement, regulatory, site-specific, and public policy disputes. The program enabled participants to explore how they could initiate joint cooperative efforts to address critical environmental issues-air and water quality, development and toxic waste cleanup-in the country. Similar seminars were also presented in Budapest, Hungary for participants from the Hungarian Ministry of the Environment.
Regional Air Quality Control District, Denver, Colorado (1990). Served as the process design coordinator and facilitator for an organizational retreat of this Council, established by the Governor of Colorado and composed of representatives from municipalities, counties, industry and public interest groups, to resolve differences and to address air quality issues in the Denver Metropolitan area.
City of Englewood Fire Services Delivery Task Force. The City of Englewood contracted with CDR Associates to develop and implement procedures for a collaborative planning process for the delivery of fire prevention, protection, and related emergency response services in the city. As lead facilitator, Ms. Wildau made recommendations to the City on the composition of the Task Force in order to ensure effective representation by essential interest groups and designed the data collection and data presentation process as well as facilitated the Task Force negotiations. The process provided a systematic approach for determining the community's fire and emergency management needs, generating and evaluating technical options, and recommending to the City those best suited to meet the identified needs, given the available resources.
Natal Parks Board, Natal Town and Regional Planning Commission, and the Environmental Evaluation Unit of the University of Capetown-Midmar, Natal Province.Co-conducted an introductory seminar on Environmental Dispute Resolution for the Natal Parks Board and staff, and the Board and staff of the Natal Town and Regional Planning Commission. The goal of the seminar was to introduce democratic public participation procedures to both agencies.
Environmental Evaluation Unit/Centre for Intergroup Studies, University of Capetown, South Africa Natural Resources Decision Making and Conflict Management Seminars. Co-designed and conducted two 32-hour seminars for municipal planners, professionals managing national and provincial parks, and community leaders. The courses focused on the uses of negotiation, facilitation, and mediation to resolve disputes over land use, environmental protection, and natural resource development issues. A specific focus was the protection and management of wildlife on park land.
State Growth Management Plan, New Jersey, Office of State Planning. Consulted with the New Jersey Office of State Planning and representatives of 21 counties in the State of New Jersey, to design and implement a "cross-acceptance" process for the negotiation of a state environmental protection and economic development plan. Ms. Wildau assisted in process design and trained participants in principles and procedures for public involvement, cooperative negotiations and meeting facilitation. The intervention has been very successful and has resulted in the development of a significant consensus in the state on growth management policies.
Cities of Denver and Aurora, Colorado, Waste-to-Energy Project. The cities of Denver and Aurora engaged CDR Associates to serve as process designers and facilitators for a Citizens' Advisory Committee to help determine the environmental and economic feasibility of building a plant to convert solid waste into energy. As co-lead on this project, Ms. Wildau worked with the cities to establish criteria for committee selection, identify representatives of various community neighborhoods and groups, interview interested citizens, and make appointment recommendations to the two mayors. Ms. Wildau also co-designed a process for how the committee would coordinate its work with the management team established by the two cities. Through a fifteen-month process, Ms. Wildau co-facilitated meetings of the committee, which evaluated the financial, community, and environmental issues involved, in order to reach a consensus on a recommendation to be made to the two city governments. The final report and recommendation from the Citizens' Advisory Committee reflected an intense process of consensus building and collaborative problem solving.
Rijkswaterstaat Ministry of Public Works, The Netherlands Natural Resource Conflict Management and Facilitated Problem Solving. Co-designed and conducted a two-day seminar for this agency which is the national department of public works. This program was part of a larger effort by the Dutch government to initiate public involvement programs as part of their new environmental protection program.
Denver Water Board, Citizen Advisory Committee. Co-facilitated a public input process regarding the proposed Two Forks Dam Reservoir. Small group problem solving was used to collect and refine concerns and proposals for the mitigation of negative impacts. Recommendations were made by the problem-solving group to the Citizens' Advisory Committee and the Denver Water Board.
Telephone Access Charge Round Table. Served as a mediator in a dispute involving telephone access charges among more than 30 parties including the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, AT&T, GTE Sprint, MCI, Mountain Bell, 26 independent phone companies, resellers, and public interest groups. The break-up of AT&T in January 1982, called for divestiture of the 22 local Bell Operating Companies from the parent company. CDR Associates was asked by the Public Utilities Commission of Colorado to convene an Access Charge Round Table composed of the key parties concerned with the reimbursement of local companies for the termination of long-distance calls. Seven major interest groups were identified and all agreed to participate. Ms. Wildau helped to convene the process, worked to identify the parties, developed a negotiated procedure to finance the project and facilitated the plenary sessions and individual task group meetings over and eight-month period. The Round Table met regularly between May 1985 and January 1986 to define the issues, to identify parties' major interests and to develop possible settlement options. Interest-based recommendations formulated by the parties were submitted to the Public Utility Commission for their consideration and approval.
Olympia, Washington, Downtown Economic Development. The City of Olympia was the focus of a revitalization effort in 1985. Ms. Wildau, in cooperation with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, co-designed and co-facilitated a public policy formulation process which involved the City Manager, City Council, Chamber of Commerce, local development agencies, citizens, State of Washington and merchants to develop a set of goals, objectives and strategies which would result in the revitalization of the downtown, while preserving historic structures.
Santa Paula, California, Downtown Development. Santa Paula, California, the "citrus capital of the world," had been plagued by a declining downtown business district due to competition from shopping centers in surrounding communities, lack of "anchor" stores such as large grocery or department stores that bring in business, and divisions between the Hispanic and Anglo business community. Ms. Wildau co-designed and co-facilitated a two-day meeting to help the community structure their development efforts and promote cooperation between merchant and community groups.
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CONSULTATIONS AND INTERVENTIONS IN ORGANIZATIONS |
United Airlines PSP Training (1999). Worked with colleagues (Whittenberg, Shaw and Ross) and UAL on a groundbreaking program designed to reach all nonunion employees of the company. As part of a new dispute management system called the "People Solutions Program," Ms. Wildau co-designed training for internal conflict resolvers (or "facilitators") and coaches (or "guides"). This pilot program, conducted both in San Francisco and in the Chicago World Headquarters, was followed by CDR briefings for Management, to assure a smooth, effective implementation of the new process. As a follow up to the training, senior CDR staff are working with UAL Labor Relations staff and internal facilitators to mediate key workplace disputes in various parts of the organization, as this new program gets underway.
American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (1998-99). Designed and delivered a two-day training program in negotiation skills and strategy to help the association's board members and key staff deal effectively with policy makers and organizations in the health care arena. In a follow-up one-day session, a facilitated discussion applied the skills of conflict analysis and assessing conditions for negotiation to a public policy scenario.
United Airlines Team Leader Training (1998-99). Worked with United Airlines (UAL) to design a program specifically for Team Leaders, as a part of an overall three- to five-week training program. The longer program was for those who were new Team Leaders, the shorter for incumbents. In each case, the CDR section on conflict management provides a foundation for this ongoing management training program which has been conducted repeatedly in several Regional offices of UAL.
Federal Reserve Board of Governors, Leadership Training for Bank Examiners and Federal Reserve Board Leadership (1996-1999). Following the successful Management Skills program, the Federal Reserve asked CDR to design an advanced, follow up course to assist leaders in dealing with change within the System. A four day pilot course was developed in consultation with the same internal design team with whom CDR had worked previously, co-trainers within the Federal Reserve System were trained, and approximately eight programs per year are now conducted jointly with CDR and Federal Reserve trainers.
Los Alamos Schools and the Los Alamos Teachers Union. (1995). Designed and conducted pre-collective bargaining workshop on cooperative joint-gain negotiations, and conducted a joint labor management problem-solving session prior to the beginning of bargaining on procedures that would enhance a positive working relationship between the teams, the union and the school administration.
National Professional Association (parties remain confidential) (1993). Consulted with and facilitated the collective bargaining and planning committees of a national professional healthcare organization and their state affiliates regarding strategies for setting national and regional priorities. Prior work over several years with this organization included facilitation of a three-day planning meeting to address reorganization needs and facilitation labor counsel strategic planning meetings.
Los Angeles Unified School District and the United Teachers of Los Angeles. (1990). Designed and conducted a relationship-building process and interest-based negotiations training program attended by the members of the School board, administration, and the teachers union bargaining team to prepare them for upcoming negotiations..
Hospital (confidential). Facilitated a retreat for hospital staff to bring together key constituency groups who were to be involved in the implementation phase of a project to improve patient care.
Greeley City Manager's Office and Fire Department Labor-Management Negotiations. Developed a customized negotiation training program for management and union team members and facilitated a meeting of the team members to design a joint approach to their negotiations.
University Sexual Harassment Mediation (confidential). Co-mediated a case involving the future working relationship of a university department faculty team following the reinstatement of a professor charged with sexual harassment.
College Administration Mediation (confidential). Mediated a dispute among top college administrators regarding the development of a more effective working relationship.
Sports Equipment Consultation (confidential). Consulted with a company involved in manufacturing sports equipment to explore issues of morale, trust and leadership that were affecting company productivity. The results of the assessment were presented to top management and then to employees at an all company meeting. An internal change team was established to develop a strategy and implementation approach based on CDR's assessment.
National Federal Financial Regulatory Agency (Confidential) (1992). Intervened and facilitated agreements among an agency vice president and senior executives of this institution concerning procedural operations, decision-making systems, new communications expectations, and helped to re-establish positive working relationships.
University of North Dakota. Consulted with and trained university staff to establish a conflict management service at the university which currently provides assistance in the resolution of administrative, faculty, staff and student issues, and provide public dispute resolution services throughout the state. The current center is connected with the Office of the President of the university.
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DECISION MAKING AND DISPUTE SYSTEMS DESIGN |
Federal Reserve Board of Governors, Leadership Training for Bank Examiners and Federal Reserve Board Leadership (1996-1999). Following the successful Management Skills program, the Federal Reserve asked CDR to design an advanced, follow up course to assist leaders in dealing with change within the System. A four day pilot course was developed in consultation with the same internal design team with whom CDR had worked previously, co-trainers within the Federal Reserve System were trained, and approximately eight programs per year are now conducted jointly with CDR and Federal Reserve trainers.
Department of Environmental Protection, State of New Jersey (1994-present). Assisted with the development of one of the most unique systems approaches to resolving a wide range of environmental disputes. Ms. Wildau designed and conducted two pilot Executive Seminars on Environmental Conflict Management (three days each) that were attended by all of the senior management in the NJDEP. As part of the development of a dispute resolution system to better manage permitting, compliance and enforcement issues, Ms. Wildau trained the department's internal environmental mediator, developed an Effective Negotiations training seminar for staff, and conducted a training-for-trainers program so that a team of in-house trainers could prepare all staff who interact with the public to use interest-based negotiation procedures. Ms. Wildau has continued to consult with the department on its training program and the implementation of the new system. To date over 400 staff have been trained in negotiations; more than 85 mediations have been conducted; and significant positive impacts have been identified in both unassisted and mediated negotiations with the public.
Bulgarian Ethnic Cooperation and Dispute Resolution Project-CDR Associates and the Foundation for Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, Sofia, Bulgaria (1993-1999). Bulgaria has always been a multicultural nation. At the crossroads between Europe and Asia and between Christianity and Islam, Bulgaria has had to contend with accommodating multiple diverse groups. Today, the nation has a population that is approximately 85% Bulgarian, 9% Turk, 6% Gypsy (commonly referred to as Roma), and smaller numbers of Macedonians, Rhodopi Turkish, Gagauz, Armenians, Greeks, Jews, Russians, Tatars and others.
During the Communist period, ethnic conflicts were suppressed and there was a massive initiative to force assimilation of all ethnic groups. This repression led to protests by the Turkish minority and an extremely high rate of immigration. With the toppling of the Communist government, most of the previous rights formerly held by Turks have been restored.
CDR's project, in cooperation with the Bulgarian Foundation for Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, and funded by Pew Charitable Trusts, is designed to develop capacities to manage diversity and conflicts that result from interactions between ethnic populations. CDR Partners Susan Wildau and Bernard Mayer, head the project which involves building a positive consciousness toward and acceptance of diversity; preparing citizens with skills to effectively manage differences within institutions and communities; building institutions, both within governments and NGOs that can assist parties to better manage and resolve social problems with ethnic components; and creating a legal structure that institutionalizes tolerance. At the project's center is an internationally recognized system of Multi-Cultural Commissions in five Bulgarian cities to address problems of ethnic group interaction. The Commissions are composed of ethnic Bulgarians, Turks and Roma (Gypsies) and address community, employment, housing, environmental and educational issues.
Mott Foundation Eastern and Central European Conflict Resolution Assessment Project (1998). Since 1989/90 the Mott Foundation has funded programs and projects focused on the introduction of effective conflict resolution skills and procedures to address a range of critical issues in Central and Eastern Europe. After nearly a decade of supporting the conflict resolution field, the Foundation's board and program staff believe it is appropriate to assess what has been learned from the various projects and programs initiated in Central and Eastern Europe. The Mott Foundation retained CDR Associates to conduct an assessment of the foundation's conflict resolution grants. Ms. Wildau along with Bernard Mayer, Christopher Moore and colleagues from the Berghof Center in Berlin, Germany were requested to design and implement an assessment process that will help the Foundation and its grantees to answer a number of key questions and identify lessons learned as a result of projects underway in Bosnia, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Ajerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia.
St. Petersburg Telecommunications Company, St. Petersburg, Russia (1993). Co-conducted a two-day consultation for the Director of External Affairs who is in charge of negotiating joint ventures with foreign companies. The consultation focused on cross-cultural styles and procedures for negotiating agreements, and models for developing positive ongoing working relationships in the context of joint ventures.
Synergen, Inc. Provided assistance in the design and training of staff, and conducted an internal decision making and dispute resolution process to handle personnel issues in the rapidly growing bio-engineering firm. The firm uses self-managed work teams and wants to have its staff empowered at the lowest appropriate level to resolve personnel disputes.
U S WEST Learning Systems. Co-designed and piloted a training program for U S WEST in conflict resolution, negotiation, and collaborative problem solving to help employees and managers work across team and departmental boundaries and make the greatest use of the talents and energies of the company's people resources. Customized for the U S WEST workplace, the program was developed as part of the corporation's "Leadership in the 90s" series, and has subsequently trained over 2,000 managers and non-managers at U S WEST. Participants learned skills to resolve disputes at the lowest appropriate level in the organization and to bring about a more gradual change in the organization toward more participative, facilitative management.
U S WEST Communications. Helped U S WEST to implement a new grievance mechanism that included mediation for the resolution of personnel disputes. This program is an integral part of the corporation's goal of developing more cooperative labor management relationships.
State of Colorado, State Personnel Board. Worked with the State to design and train a panel for a Statewide personnel grievance mediation system. Since 1989, the system has been highly successful in resolving disputes and grievances.
City of Boulder, Colorado-Boulder Mediation Service. Assisted in the design and implementation of a city-wide mediation system. The program was designed to resolve disputes between the city and citizens, between citizen groups and to address internal organizational disputes within the city.
University of North Dakota. Assisted in the design of a dispute resolution service affiliated with the President's Office, mandated to resolve faculty, staff, student and public disputes. Also trained twenty mediators who provide intermediary services.
University of Colorado at Denver. Assisted a variety of administrative departments, which provide services to students and faculty, to design new systems for handling "customer" complaints.
Board of Governors, U.S. Federal Reserve. Assisted the Federal Reserve to design and implement a new mediation system to resolve disputes over the implementation of the Community Reinvestment Act. Those involved included bank vice-presidents, Community Affairs Officers and their assistants. Trainees subsequently mediated disputes between lending institutions and community groups in pre-and post filing disputes.
State of Kansas, Department of Agriculture. Served as the project manager for the development of a system to resolve conflicts between farmers and lenders. Ms. Wildau developed and conducted an extensive training program for a statewide mediation service to resolve conflicts between lenders (federal lending agencies, banks and other agencies) and borrowers. The process allowed parties to restructure farm loans or develop a transition process for ending farming operations.
Office of State Planning, New Jersey. Consulted with the New Jersey Office of State Planning and representatives of 21 counties in the State of New Jersey, to design and implement a "cross-acceptance" process for the negotiation of a state environmental protection and economic development plan. Ms. Wildau assisted in process design and trained participants in principles and procedures for public involvement, cooperative negotiations and meeting facilitation. The intervention has been very successful and has resulted in the development of a significant consensus in the state on growth management policies.
Agriculture Canada. Served as the lead designer and trainer for a nationwide mediation service provided by this federal agency, to resolve conflicts between lenders (banks and other agencies) and borrowers. Mediation panels are now established and are resolving disputes in every Canadian province.
Center for Negotiation and Cooperative Problem Solving, Warsaw University Poland. Helped to establish a new dispute resolution center, needed systems, and training for personnel who are providing intervention, training and consulting services in the labor, environmental and educational sectors.
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Ministry of Justice Sri Lanka. Assisted the Ministry to design and implement a nationwide civil dispute resolution system. Currently there are over 100 Boards mediating disputes.
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TRAINING AND CONSULTING IN COLLABORATIVE DECISION MAKING AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT |
US Bureau of Reclamation ADR Advisors Training of Trainers (2001). As part of a series of workshop for the group of BOR ADR Advisors, co-trained the group as trainers. The goal of the workshop was to prepare the advisors to deliver short training programs for other BOR staff regarding the principles of ADR and basic skills in communication, negotiation and problem solving.
American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (1998-99). Designed and delivered a two-day training program in negotiation skills and strategy to help the association's board members and key staff deal effectively with policy makers and organizations in the health care arena. In a follow-up one-day session, a facilitated discussion applied the skills of conflict analysis and assessing conditions for negotiation to a public policy scenario.
Federal Reserve Board of Governors, Leadership Training for Bank Examiners and Federal Reserve Board Leadership (1996-1999). Following the successful Management Skills program, the Federal Reserve asked CDR to design an advanced, follow-up course to assist leaders in dealing with change within the System. A four-day pilot course was developed in consultation with the same internal design team with whom CDR had worked previously, co-trainers within the Federal Reserve System were trained, and approximately eight programs per year are now conducted jointly with CDR and Federal Reserve trainers.
Ethnic Cooperation and Dispute Resolution Project CDR Associates and the Center for Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, Sofia, Bulgaria (1993-1998). Bulgaria has always been a multicultural nation. At the crossroads between Europe and Asia and between Christianity and Islam, Bulgaria has, over history, had to contend with accommodating multiple diverse groups. CDR partners Susan Wildau, Bernie Mayer and Chris Moore in cooperation with the Bulgarian Center on Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, and funded by Pew Charitable Trusts, designed and implemented a project to develop capacities to manage diversity and conflicts that result from interactions between ethnic populations. The project involved building a positive consciousness toward and acceptance of diversity; preparing citizens with skills to effectively manage differences within institutions and communities; building institutions, both within governments and NGOs that can assist parties to better manage and resolve social problems with ethnic components; and creating a legal structure that institutionalizes tolerance.
Organization of American States (1996-1998). Guatemala is slowly recovering from a decades-long civil war. Following the signing of a series of peace accords, the Organization of American States has initiated a program to help bring about a "culture of peace" in Guatemala and ensure the long-term success of the accords. It has retained CDR to provide consultation and training to several projects as part of this effort. All these projects aim to build negotiation and conflict resolution capacity among Guatemalan governmental agencies and popular organizations. The primary focus of Ms. Wildau's work has been the training of OAS staff and Guatemalan colleagues in basic conflict resolution, negotiation, mediation and dispute systems design. Wildau has also trained OAS and Guatemalan trainers who will continue this work.
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH, Pilot Program on Institutional Development in Environment (PVI) Project (1995 to present). This German technical assistance and development agency has implemented a series of dispute resolution initiatives and training projects to address contentious development issues. Ms. Wildau has conducted a series of lectures, five-day seminars and skill-building sessions for GTZ's international project managers from Africa, Asia, and Latin America on applications of dispute resolution procedures to address environmental issues related to air quality, habitat protection, management of parks and game reserves, and water issues
Federal Reserve Board of Governors, Management Skills Training for Bank Examiners (1992-present). Is serving as the project manager for the Federal Reserve System's management skills training program. In this capacity, Ms. Wildau has researched the needs of the System's bank examiners and then designed and implemented a management skills training program for bank examiners. Ms Wildau worked with an internal design team from the Federal Reserve System on this assignment. The resulting five-day program presents negotiation, facilitation, communication and cooperative problem solving skills for examination teams to use internally or with the banking community. In order to develop the internal capacity for Federal Reserve bank examiners to present this course, Ms. Wildau developed a training-for-trainers course and accompanying training manual. An internal team of trainers has been conducting this course for the past six years. It remains one of the most successful programs offered by the Federal Reserve System.
United Nations (UNITAR), Austria (1993-1998). Taught "Effective International Mediation Processes," for the United Nations Fellowship Program annually for six years. This program is conducted by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research. Each year the program trains approximately 25 UN and foreign service officers from less developed countries, in international diplomatic principles and procedures. CDR works with senior UN officials and seminar participants to analyze international disputes currently being handled by the UN, and to develop creative mediation and resolution strategies.
Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) Zimbabwe (1998). The success of international development efforts often hinge upon the abilities of local and international development staff and agencies to build cooperation and manage differences, and to resolve conflicts with and between target populations with whom they work. CDR has developed a landmark training program on Conflict Management for International Development Workers that was presented in Harare, Zimbabwe for staff of GTZ (the German Technical Assistance Agency) who are working in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Lesotho and South Africa. The program, which has an emphasis on resolving large multiparty disputes which are often over resource development or environmental issues, has also been conducted a number of times in Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America.
Federal Reserve Leadership Dynamics Training for Trainers (1998). Training program for current Federal Reserve trainers and new trainees to prepare Federal instructors to teach Leadership Dynamics. Also focused on best practices for presenting course material.
The Association of German Mediators (1997). Gave presentations and participated in a consultation with members of this association focusing on applications and uses of public participation and multiparty stakeholder dialogues to address public policy and site specific environmental conflicts in Germany and the Netherlands
AVANTEL-Mexico City (1996). Conducted a Team Building and Intercultural Problem-Solving Workshop for the Product Marketing Division of this joint-venture telecommunications company. The partners are MCI in the U.S. and BANAMEX in Mexico.
International Academy for the Environment, Geneva, Switzerland and Antalya, Turkey (1993-95). The International Academy for the Environment, a Swiss-based foundation, in conjunction with the World Bank and GTZ, initiated a project to build capacity in environmental negotiations, public involvement and dispute resolution in five countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. The project involved training staff from Ministries of the Environment, other government entities, and environmental NGOs in conflict management procedures and skills, and explored means to institutionalize the use and provision of dispute resolution services in targeted countries. Ms. Wildau researched relevant environmental issues, designed seminars, prepared issue and culturally-appropriate materials, developed culturally-acceptable procedures and taught a number of programs. The first program was successfully conducted in Antalya, Turkey in 1994.
United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Jerusalem (1993). The United Nations Development Program's (UNDP) Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (PAPP) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) sponsored a five-day seminar on Environmental Negotiations and Dispute Resolution. Ms.Wildau, along with the World Foundation for Environmental Development served as the program's trainers. The workshop was organized for Palestinian negotiators from the Palestinian Negotiation Teams for Water and the Environment, who were participating in the Middle East Peace talks. The seminar was divided into two parts; the first focused on imparting substantive knowledge on international environmental issues and negotiations, and the second focused on negotiation procedures, strategies, tactics, team organization and approaches to be used in next round of talks. In addition, Ms. Wildau facilitated a strategy design session for Palestinian negotiators.
FUNCOP and World Wildlife Fund, Popayan, Colombia, (1993). Along with staff members from RESOLVE presented a five-day seminar on Environmental Negotiations for environmental non-governmental agencies in Colombia. The program involved the presentation of cooperative negotiating procedures, public involvement principles and models, and descriptions of third party conflict management procedures. Ms. Wildau and RESOLVE prepared culture and issue-specific simulations to facilitate teaching conflict management skills and application to the participants' environmental problems. The program also involved a facilitated dialogue and strategy design session with participants to prepare them for up-coming negotiations with the private sector on environmental protection issues.
Environmental Conflict Management Training Project, Hungary-University of Minnesota Environmental Conflict Management Seminars (1993). Working with staff members from RESOLVE presented a five-day seminar of Environmental Conflict Management for government and non-governmental agencies in Hungary on negotiating economic and environmental trade-offs. The consultation also involved facilitated dialogue on how collaborative planning can be utilized to develop environmental policy.
Environmental Conflict Management: Practical Strategies for Resolving Ecological Issues, Hungary (1991). Designed and co-conducted a five-day seminar on Environmental Conflict Management for leaders from the Hungarian Ministry of the Environment, regional/local government agencies, non-governmental organizations, university faculty, and students. This seminar explored how environmental conflict management procedures-negotiation, facilitation, mediation-could be used to address enforcement, regulatory, site-specific, and public policy disputes. The program enabled participants to explore how they could initiate joint cooperative efforts to address critical environmental issues-air and water quality, and development in the country.
Center on Applied Conflictology and Educators for Peace and Mutual Understanding Russia, (1991). Co-conducted a five-day seminar on Environmental Conflict Management for environmental leaders in Russia. Participants included administrators from environmental agencies in the Russian Republic and leaders of Russian ecological groups. This seminar explored how conflicts of interest over economic development and environmental protection could be reconciled and resolved. The program examined how cooperative problem solving, negotiations, facilitation, and mediation could be used to resolve site-specific, regulatory enforcement and public policy disputes.
Mediation Boards Commission of the Ministry of Justice, and The Asia Foundation (1991). Co-conducted a ten-day consultation on Dispute Systems Design for the Ministry of Justice. The intervention consisted of on-site visits to a number of mediation boards, observations of mediations and training, recommendations to the Mediation Boards Commission of management practices and procedures to improve the performance of the project. An Advanced Mediation Seminar was conducted for the Mediation Board's team of trainers. Since late 1990, after CDR's initial consultation and training assistance, the Mediation Boards Commission of the Ministry of Justice have established over 100 mediation boards. Over 1,200 Board members, including representatives of diverse ethnic and religious groups, have been through the 32-hour Mediation Process training seminar. The Mediation Boards have settled thousands of cases.
Introductory Training for Trainers, Hungary (1991). In order to develop the internal capacity of Hungarians to present the kinds of training described above, conducted a two-day introductory Training For Trainers. Ten participants who had experienced the 40-hour labor/management training received additional training in some of the underlying theory from group dynamics, communication, etc., which contribute to the theory base of conflict resolution. They also were exposed to some of the practical nuts and bolts of conducting skill-based experiential learning seminars.
The Salzburg Seminar, Salzburg, Austria Negotiating Development and Environmental Trade-Offs Seminars (1991). Co-presented the negotiation and mediation process modules of a two-week seminar, sponsored by the Salzburg Seminar, an international organization that conducts educational dialogues and seminars to promote international communication and cooperation on critical world issues. The seminar was attended by 52 environmental professionals from governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations from over 30 nations.
Ministry of the Environment of the Republic of Poland and the Ministry of the Environment Conflict Management Seminars. (1990, 1991). Conducted a five-day seminar on Environmental Conflict Management for leaders from the Ministry of the Environment, regional/local government agencies and the Polish Ecological Club. This seminar explored how environmental conflict management procedures-negotiation, facilitation, mediation-could be used to address enforcement, regulatory, site-specific, and public policy disputes. The program enabled participants to explore how they could initiate joint cooperative efforts to address critical environmental issues-air and water quality, development and toxic waste cleanup-in the country. Similar seminars were also presented in Budapest, Hungary for participants from the Hungarian Ministry of the Environment.
Solidarity (Labor Union) Warsaw Region-Warsaw (1990). Co-conducted two 32-hour seminars on negotiation, collective bargaining and grievance resolution for 40 key leaders of the Solidarity Trade Union. The first seminar was for the Mazovsze Regional Committee and staff who are responsible for conducting major national collective bargaining negotiations, plant closures and employee re-deployment. The seminar focused on the use of negotiations in collective bargaining, defining worker involvement in plant ownership and management, the economic restructuring of the Polish national economy and defining the role of trade unions in a democratic society.
Polish Ministry of Education and the University of Warsaw, Warsaw (1990). Conducted a 40-hour seminar on Decision Making and Conflict Management for Educational Administrators, for 36 of the 49 regional public school superintendents in Poland. The seminar focused on democratic decision-making procedures for handling policy decisions, cooperative management and dispute resolution procedures and school-based management practices. The training program was part of a coordinated effort to introduce cooperative problem solving and dispute resolution into the Polish educational system. A second seminar, conducted by a colleague, introduced conflict resolution skills to 40 Polish teachers.
Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Society of Saskatchewan Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (1987, 1990). Designed and conducted three 40-hour seminars on Effective Mediation for members of the Bar and other professionals in the province. The programs focused on the mediation of family, farm, commercial, and public multiparty disputes.
Natal Parks Board, Natal Town and Regional Planning Commission, and the Environmental Evaluation Unit of the University of Capetown-Midmar, Natal Province. Co-conducted an introductory seminar on Environmental Dispute Resolution for the Natal Parks Board and staff, and the Board and staff of the Natal Town and Regional Planning Commission. The goal of the seminar was to introduce democratic public participation procedures to both agencies.
Environmental Evaluation Unit/Centre for Intergroup Studies, University of Capetown, South Africa Natural Resources Decision Making and Conflict Management Seminars. Co-designed and conducted two 32-hour seminars for municipal planners, professionals managing national and provincial parks, and community leaders. The courses focused on the uses of negotiation, facilitation, and mediation to resolve disputes over land use, environmental protection, and natural resource development issues. A specific focus was the protection and management of wildlife on park land.
Mediation and Negotiation Training in South Africa. Served as a trainer in mediation and negotiation and as a consultant to those attempting to open the lines of communication between the UDF (United Democratic Front) and the IFP (Inkatha Freedom Party). The five weeks of training was conducted throughout the country for representatives of non-governmental organizations, universities, church groups, community and political action groups, trade unionists, environmentalists and selected government officials.
Vuleka Trust/Centre for Intergroup Studies Durban, Natal Province. Co-conducted two seminars for the Vuleka Trust, an interdenominational organization chartered to foster inter-racial cooperation. The first program was a Family Mediation Workshop that was an introduction to procedures used to resolve interpersonal disputes.
A second workshop, Effective Mediation for Community Leaders, focused on mediation strategies, procedures and skills which might be applied to ongoing, sometimes violent, community and political conflicts in the Province of Natal.
Law Society of Upper Canada Toronto, Ontario. Conducted two 40-hour seminars on Child Custody and Divorce Mediation for members of the Bar.
Rijkswaterstaat Ministry of Public Works, The Netherlands Natural Resource Conflict Management and Facilitated Problem Solving. Co-designed and conducted a two-day seminar for this agency which is the national department of public works. This program was part of a larger effort by the Dutch government to initiate public involvement programs as part of their new environmental protection program.
Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia Vancouver, British Columbia. Designed and conducted six 40-hour seminars on Child Custody and Divorce Mediation for members of the British Columbia Bar. Approximately 180 people were trained over a two-year period. This seminar was the only CLE sponsored program in British Columbia that was required of family law practitioners who wanted to offer family mediation as a part of their services. Observers have noted that these programs have significantly changed how many family disputes are resolved in the province. Canadian-specific case studies were designed and written for this program.
Colorado Civil Rights Commission Denver, Colorado. Conducted a 32-hour seminar for the Hearing Officers and staff of the Civil Rights Commission and for a team of contract mediators on Mediating Civil Rights Disputes. Mediation is currently being used as one step in the dispute resolution process for sex, race and ethnic disputes.
U.S. Office of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)/Colorado Civil Rights Commission Denver, Colorado. Conducted a seminar on Enforcement Negotiations and Mediation for staff from these agencies who are responsible for resolving complaints involving charges of housing discrimination.
Colorado Bar Association Denver, Colorado. Conducted a 32-hour seminar on Mediating Civil Rights Complaints which was part of an experimental pilot project conducted jointly by the Colorado Bar Association and the Colorado Civil Rights Commission. The project's goal was to explore the effectiveness of independent mediators in the resolution of charges of discrimination.
U S WEST Communications. Assisted U S WEST to implement a new union management grievance mechanism, which included mediation and arbitration of personnel disputes by non-legal personnel. CDR trained U.S. staff to participate effectively and to act as advocates and parties in these new procedures.
U S WEST Learning Systems. Assisted in the design of a cooperative problem-solving process and skill-building program for this corporation's "Leadership in the 90's" program, and subsequently trained over 100 managers involved in self-managed work teams at U S WEST. The program focuses on providing conflict anticipation and management skills to resolve disputes at the lowest appropriate level in the organization.
State of Colorado, State Personnel Board and State Personnel Department. Designed a complaint and grievance dispute resolution system that has been institutionalized to handle interpersonal, group, and public disputes involving state personnel or the state and the public. CDR has trained several hundred state personnel to act as internal mediators in this system.
Los Alamos Schools and the Los Alamos Teachers Union (1995). Designed and conducted pre-collective bargaining workshop on cooperative joint-gain negotiations, and conducted a joint labor management problem-solving session prior to the beginning of bargaining on procedures that would enhance a positive working relationship between the teams, the union and the school administration.
Los Angeles Unified School District and the United Teachers of Los Angeles (1990). Designed and conducted a relationship-building process and interest-based negotiations training program attended by the members of the School board, administration, and the teachers union bargaining team to prepare them for upcoming negotiations..
Synergen, Inc. Provided assistance in the design and training of staff to conduct an internal decision-making and dispute resolution process to handle personnel issues in the rapidly growing bioengineering firm and for the resolution of personnel conflicts. The firm used self-managed work teams and wanted to have its staff empowered at the lowest appropriate level to resolve personnel disputes. Ms. Wildlau assisted the Clinical Research Division to design dispute resolution procedures and trained staff to implement them.
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve. Assisted this agency to design a mediation system to resolve disputes between regulated banks and public interest groups over lending practices and services, and trained a cadre of bank vice-presidents and community affairs officers as mediators.
U.S. Minerals Management Service. Trained several hundred managers from this agency, and federal and state agencies with whom they work, in effective natural resource conflict management procedures to address issues related to on and off-shore mineral development and environmental protection. Seminars were four to five days in length.
State of Kansas, Department of Agriculture. Served as the project manager for the development of a system to resolve conflicts between farmers and lenders. Ms. Wildau developed and conducted an extensive training program for a statewide mediation service to resolve conflicts between lenders (federal lending agencies, banks and other agencies) and borrowers. The process allowed parties to restructure farm loans or develop a transition process for ending farming operations.
State of New Jersey, Office of State Planning. Assisted the Office of State Planning to design a system and conflict management process to prepare State and county personnel to participate in a statewide growth management process that involved negotiation and facilitated problem solving between the State Planning Commission and 21 counties. Co-trained staff from the Office of State Planning and Planning Departments from all New Jersey counties to negotiate with members of the public and each other, and to facilitate public input meetings.
Agriculture Canada, Farm Debt Review Board. Designed of a nationwide mediation program to resolve debtor-lender cases for the Canadian Farm-Debt Review Board. Subsequently trained over 250 mediators to implement the program in all Canadian Provinces.
Environmental Evaluation Unit/Centre for Intergroup Studies, University of Capetown, South Africa-Natural Resources Decision Making and Conflict Management Seminars. Designed and conducted multiple seminars for municipal planners, professionals managing national and provincial parks, and community leaders. The courses focused on the uses of negotiation, facilitation, and mediation to resolve disputes over land use, environmental protection and natural resource development issues. A specific focus was the protection and management of wildlife on park land.
Boulder Mediation Service Boulder, Colorado. Conducted a series of training programs on the Mediation of Housing Disputes. Some of the disputes which are handled by this service involve inter-racial or ethnic disputes in public housing.
Independent Mediation Service of South Africa. Trained a number of South African labour mediators in approaches and procedures to resolve large public and political disputes. The focus of the seminar was on approaches for negotiating new structures to end apartheid in the industrial sector.
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH, Pilot Program on Institutional Development in Environment (PVI) Project (1995 to present). This German technical assistance and development agency has implemented a series of dispute resolution initiatives and training projects to address contentious development issues. Ms. Wildau and Christopher Moore, two CDR Partners, have conducted a series of lectures, five-day seminars and skill-building sessions for GTZ's international project managers from Africa, Asia, and Latin America on applications of dispute resolution procedures to address environmental issues related to air quality, habitat protection, management of parks and game reserves, and water issues.
Ethnic Cooperation and Dispute Resolution Project CDR Associates and the Center for Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, Sofia, Bulgaria (1993-present). Designed Bulgaria has always been a multicultural nation. At the crossroads between Europe and Asia and between Christianity and Islam, Bulgaria has, over history, had to contend with accommodating multiple diverse groups. CDR partners Susan Wildau, Bernie Mayer and Chris Moore in cooperation with the Bulgarian Center on Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, and funded by Pew Charitable Trusts, have designed and implemented a project to develop capacities to manage diversity and conflicts that result from interactions between ethnic populations. The project involved building a positive consciousness toward and acceptance of diversity; preparing citizens with skills to effectively manage differences within institutions and communities; building institutions, both within governments and NGOs that can assist parties to better manage and resolve social problems with ethnic components; and creating a legal structure that institutionalizes tolerance.
The Association of German Mediators (1997). Gave presentations and participated in a consultation with members of this association, focusing on applications and uses of public participation and multiparty stakeholder dialogues to address public policy and site specific environmental conflicts in Germany and the Netherlands.
Center on Applied Conflictology and Educators for Peace and Mutual Understanding Russia, (1991). Co-conducted a five-day seminar on Environmental Conflict Management for environmental leaders in Russia. Participants included administrators from environmental agencies in the Russian Republic and leaders of Russian ecological groups. This seminar explored how conflicts of interest over economic development and environmental protection could be reconciled and resolved. The program examined how cooperative problem solving, negotiations, facilitation, and mediation could be used to resolve site-specific, regulatory enforcement and public policy disputes.
Natal Parks Board, Natal Town and Regional Planning Commission, and the Environmental Evaluation Unit of the University of Capetown, Midmar, Natal Province, South Africa (1989). Co-conducted an introductory Environmental Dispute Resolution Seminar for the Natal Parks Board and staff, and the Board and staff of the Natal Town and Regional Planning Commission. The goal of the seminar was to introduce democratic public participation procedures to both agencies.
Ministry of the Environment of the Republic of Poland and the Ministry of the Environment Conflict Management Seminars. (1990 and 1991). Conducted a five-day seminar on Environmental Conflict Management for leaders from the Ministry of the Environment, regional/local government agencies and the Polish Ecological Club. This seminar explored how environmental conflict management procedures-negotiation, facilitation, mediation-could be used to address enforcement, regulatory, site-specific, and public policy disputes. The program enabled participants to explore how they could initiate joint cooperative efforts to address critical environmental issues-air and water quality, development and toxic waste cleanup-in the country. Similar seminars were also presented in Budapest, Hungary for participants from the Hungarian Ministry of the Environment.
Rijkswaterstaat Ministry of Public Works, The Netherlands Natural Resource Conflict Management and Facilitated Problem Solving (1987). Co-designed and conducted a two-day seminar for this agency which is the national department of public works. This program was part of a larger effort by the Dutch government to initiate public involvement programs as part of their new environmental protection program.
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EXPERIENCE AND EFFECTIVENESS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRAINING MATERIALS IN THE ADR AREA |
Lead author for Management Skills for Bank Examiners student manual and Management Skills for Bank Examiners Training for Trainers, developed for the Federal Reserve Bank's management skills course.
Lead author for Leadership Dynamics Training for Trainers, a trainers manual developed for the Federal Reserve Bank that teaches internal trainers from the Bank how to instruct a course on leadership and change.
Author of over 30 specially-tailored role plays and simulations on environmental and public policy conflicts, internal organization problems, and interpersonal disputes.
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EXPERIENCE IN CURRICULUM DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT FOR CLIENTS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR |
Ms. Wildau has designed company-specific curriculum and training programs in communication skills, team building, negotiation, mediation, facilitation, conflict management planning, and crisis intervention for very diverse companies. Some of her clients include:
- Federal Reserve Bank: five-day seminar, management skills; three and one-half day seminar, leadership; training for trainers courses for each seminar.
- U S WEST Learning Systems: three-day seminar on conflict management.
- Synergen, Inc.: Multiple two-day seminars on high involvement decision making and conflict management.
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TAILORING TRAINING TO ON-SITE NEEDS |
Ms. Wildau writes customized curricula that meet the specific needs of her clients. The programs are designed to promote participant input and are revised on the spot if new needs are identified in the process of the program. Ms. Wildau works on the program design with clients before each seminar to assure the content and the target audience match. Wildau has designed specially tailored programs for numerous organizations.
Conversational Spanish.
Ms. Wildau is the author of "Transitions: Moving Between Stages," Mediation Quarterly, No. 16 (1987); co-author with Mayer and Valchev of "Promoting Multi-Cultural Consensus Building in Bulgaria" Cultural Survival Quarterly, (Fall 1995); and co-author with Mayer and Moore of "Developing Democratic Decision-Making and Dispute Resolution Procedures Abroad," Mediation Quarterly, Volume 10, Number 3 (Spring 1993).
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INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE IN PUBLIC POLICY AND ENVIRONMENTAL DECISION MAKING AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT |
Organization of American States (1996-present). Guatemala is slowly recovering from a decades-long civil war. Following the signing of a series of peace accords, the Organization of American States has initiated a program to help bring about a "culture of peace" in Guatemala and ensure the long-term success of the accords. It has retained CDR to provide consultation and training to several projects as part of this effort. All these projects aim to build negotiation and conflict resolution capacity among Guatemalan governmental agencies and popular organizations. The primary focus of Ms. Wildau's work has been the training of OAS staff and Guatemalan colleagues in basic conflict resolution, negotiation, mediation and dispute systems design. Wildau has also trained OAS and Guatemalan trainers who will continue this work.
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH, Pilot Program on Institutional Development in Environment (PVI) Project (1995 to present). This German technical assistance and development agency has implemented a series of dispute resolution initiatives and training projects to address contentious development issues. Ms. Wildau and Christopher Moore, two CDR Partners, have conducted a series of lectures, five-day seminars and skill-building sessions for GTZ's international project managers from Africa, Asia, and Latin America on applications of dispute resolution procedures to address environmental issues related to air quality, habitat protection, management of parks and game reserves, and water issues.
Ethnic Cooperation and Dispute Resolution Project CDR Associates and the Center for Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, Sofia, Bulgaria (1993-present). Bulgaria has always been a multicultural nation. At the crossroads between Europe and Asia and between Christianity and Islam, Bulgaria has, over history, had to contend with accommodating multiple diverse groups. CDR partners Susan Wildau, Bernie Mayer and Chris Moore in cooperation with the Bulgarian Center on Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, and funded by Pew Charitable Trusts, have designed and implemented a project to develop capacities to manage diversity and conflicts that result from interactions between ethnic populations. The project involved building a positive consciousness toward and acceptance of diversity; preparing citizens with skills to effectively manage differences within institutions and communities; building institutions, both within governments and NGOs that can assist parties to better manage and resolve social problems with ethnic components; and creating a legal structure that institutionalizes tolerance.
In one major project, CDR is supporting the development of an institute for conflict resolution at Landivar University which will engage in conflict resolution practice, research, and training. In another project, CDR consulted on a project involving work with cadastres (land surveyors who establish legal titles to land) to provide them with skills to help resolve disputes over land titles resulting from the historical encroachment of ranching land into indigenous people's territory. In addition, CDR is consulting with both sides of the conflict on ongoing national dialogues established by the peace accords and chartered to work by consensus. Finally, CDR and the OAS are also working at the municipal level to design new systems for resolving disputes arising from return of refugees and other local development issues.
Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) Zimbabwe (1998). The success of international development efforts often hinge upon the abilities of local and international development staff and agencies to build cooperation and manage differences, and to resolve conflicts with and between target populations with whom they work. CDR has developed a landmark training program on Conflict Management for International Development Workers that was presented in Harare, Zimbabwe for staff of GTZ (the German Technical Assistance Agency) who are working in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Lesotho and South Africa. The program, which has an emphasis on resolving large multiparty disputes which are often over resource development or environmental issues, has also been conducted a number of times in Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America.
Mott Foundation Eastern and Central European Conflict Resolution Assessment Project (1998). Since 1989/90 the Mott Foundation has funded programs and projects focused on the introduction of effective conflict resolution skills and procedures to address a range of critical issues in Central and Eastern Europe. After nearly a decade of supporting the conflict resolution field, the Foundation's board and program staff believe it is appropriate to assess what has been learned from the various projects and programs initiated in Central and Eastern Europe. The Mott Foundation retained CDR Associates to conduct an assessment of the foundation's conflict resolution grants. Ms. Wildau along with Bernard Mayer, Christopher Moore and colleagues from the Berghof Center in Berlin, Germany were requested to design and implement an assessment process that will help the Foundation and its grantees to answer a number of key questions and identify lessons learned as a result of projects underway in Bosnia, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Ajerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia.
United Nations (UNITAR), Austria (1993-1998). Taught "Effective International Mediation Processes," for the United Nations Fellowship Program annually for six years. This program is conducted by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research. Each year the program trains approximately 25 UN and foreign service officers from less developed countries, in international diplomatic principles and procedures. CDR works with senior UN officials and seminar participants to analyze international disputes currently being handled by the UN, and to develop creative mediation and resolution strategies.
The Association of German Mediators (1997). Co-presented and participated in a consultation with members of this association. The foci of the session were applications and uses of public participation and multiparty stakeholder dialogues to address public policy and site specific environmental conflicts in Germany and the Netherlands
AVANTEL-Mexico City (1996). Conducted a Team Building and Intercultural Problem-Solving Workshop for the Product Marketing Division of this joint-venture telecommunications company. The partners are MCI in the U.S. and BANAMEX in Mexico.
United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Jerusalem (1993). The United Nations Development Program's (UNDP) Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (PAPP) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) sponsored a five-day seminar on Environmental Negotiations and Dispute Resolution. CDR Associates partners Susan Wildau and Chris Moore, along with the World Foundation for Environmental Development served as the program's trainers. The workshop was organized for Palestinian negotiators from the Palestinian Negotiation Teams for Water and the Environment, who were participating in the Middle East Peace talks. The seminar was divided into two parts; the first focused on imparting substantive knowledge on international environmental issues and negotiations, and the second focused on negotiation procedures, strategies, tactics, team organization and approaches to be used in next round of talks. In addition, CDR facilitated a strategy design session for Palestinian negotiators.
United Nations, Austria (1993-present). Designed and conducted numerous training programs for UN diplomats and foreign service officers from a number of countries in international mediation procedures and skills.
International Academy for the Environment, Geneva, Switzerland and Antalya, Turkey (1993-95). The International Academy for the Environment, a Swiss-based foundation, in conjunction with the World Bank and GTZ, initiated a project to build capacity in environmental negotiations, public involvement and dispute resolution in five countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. The project involved training staff from Ministries of the Environment, other government entities, and environmental NGOs in conflict management procedures and skills, and explored means to institutionalize the use and provision of dispute resolution services in targeted countries. Ms. Wildau researched relevant environmental issues, designed seminars, prepared issue and culturally-appropriate materials, develop culturally-acceptable procedures and teach a number of programs. The first program was successfully conducted in Antalya, Turkey in 1994.
United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Jerusalem (1993). The United Nations Development Program's (UNDP) Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (PAPP) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) sponsored a five-day seminar on Environmental Negotiations and Dispute Resolution. Ms.Wildau, along with the World Foundation for Environmental Development served as the program's trainers. The workshop was organized for Palestinian negotiators from the Palestinian Negotiation Teams for Water and the Environment, who were participating in the Middle East Peace talks. The seminar was divided into two parts; the first focused on imparting substantive knowledge on international environmental issues and negotiations, and the second focused on negotiation procedures, strategies, tactics, team organization and approaches to be used in next round of talks. In addition, Ms. Wildau facilitated a strategy design session for Palestinian negotiators.
FUNCOP and World Wildlife Fund, Popayan, Colombia, (1993). Along with staff members from RESOLVE presented a five-day seminar on Environmental Negotiations for environmental non-governmental agencies in Colombia. The program involved the presentation of cooperative negotiating procedures, public involvement principles and models, and descriptions of third party conflict management procedures. CDR and RESOLVE prepared culture and issue-specific simulations to facilitate teaching conflict management skills and application to the participants' environmental problems. The program also involved a facilitated dialogue and strategy design session with participants to prepare them for up-coming negotiations with the private sector on environmental protection issues.
Environmental Conflict Management Training Project, Hungary-University of Minnesota Environmental Conflict Management Seminars (1993). CDR Associates and staff members from RESOLVE presented a five-day seminar of Environmental Conflict Management for government and non-governmental agencies in Hungary on negotiating economic and environmental trade-offs. The consultation also involved facilitated dialogue on how collaborative planning can be utilized to develop environmental policy.
Environmental Conflict Management: Practical Strategies for Resolving Ecological Issues, Hungary (1991). Designed and co-conducted a five-day seminar on Environmental Conflict Management for leaders from the Hungarian Ministry of the Environment, regional/local government agencies, non-governmental organizations, university faculty, and students. This seminar explored how environmental conflict management procedures-negotiation, facilitation, mediation-could be used to address enforcement, regulatory, site-specific, and public policy disputes. The program enabled participants to explore how they could initiate joint cooperative efforts to address critical environmental issues-air and water quality, and development in the country.
Ministry of the Environment of the Republic of Poland and the Ministry of the Environment Conflict Management Seminars. (1990 and 1991). Conducted a five-day seminar on Environmental Conflict Management for leaders from the Ministry of the Environment, regional/local government agencies and the Polish Ecological Club. This seminar explored how environmental conflict management procedures-negotiation, facilitation, mediation-could be used to address enforcement, regulatory, site-specific, and public policy disputes. The program enabled participants to explore how they could initiate joint cooperative efforts to address critical environmental issues-air and water quality, development and toxic waste cleanup-in the country. Similar seminars were also presented in Budapest, Hungary for participants from the Hungarian Ministry of the Environment.
Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Society of Saskatchewan Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (1987, 1990). Designed and conducted three 40-hour seminars on Effective Mediation for members of the Bar and other professionals in the province. The programs focused on the mediation of family, farm, commercial, and public multiparty disputes.
Mediation Boards Commission of the Ministry of Justice, and The Asia Foundation (1991). Co-conducted a ten-day consultation on Dispute Systems Design for the Ministry of Justice. The intervention consisted of on-site visits to a number of mediation boards, observations of mediations and training, recommendations to the Mediation Boards Commission of management practices and procedures to improve the performance of the project. An Advanced Mediation Seminar was conducted for the Mediation Board's team of trainers. Since late 1990, after CDR's initial consultation and training assistance, the Mediation Boards Commission of the Ministry of Justice have established over 100 mediation boards. Over 1,200 Board members, including representatives of diverse ethnic and religious groups, have been through the 32-hour Mediation Process training seminar. The Mediation Boards have settled thousands of cases.
Center on Applied Conflictology and Educators for Peace and Mutual Understanding Russia, (1991). Co-conducted a five-day seminar on Environmental Conflict Management for environmental leaders in Russia. Participants included administrators from environmental agencies in the Russian Republic and leaders of Russian ecological groups. This seminar explored how conflicts of interest over economic development and environmental protection could be reconciled and resolved. The program examined how cooperative problem solving, negotiations, facilitation, and mediation could be used to resolve site-specific, regulatory enforcement and public policy disputes.
Introductory Training for Trainers, Hungary (1991). In order to develop the internal capacity of Hungarians to present the kinds of training described above, Ms. Wildau conducted a two-day introductory training for trainers. Ten participants who had experienced the 40-hour labor/management training received additional training in some of the underlying theory from group dynamics, communication, etc., which contribute to the theory base of conflict resolution. They also were exposed to some of the practical nuts and bolts of conducting skill-based experiential learning seminars.
Mediation Boards Commission of the Ministry of Justice, and The Asia Foundation (1991). The intervention consisted of on-site visits to a number of mediation boards, observations of mediations and training, recommendations to the Mediation Boards Commission of management practices and procedures to improve the performance of the project. An Advanced Mediation Seminar was conducted for the Mediation Board's team of trainers. Since late 1990, after CDR's initial consultation and training assistance, the Mediation Boards Commission of the Ministry of Justice have established over 100 mediation boards. Over 1,200 Board members, including representatives of diverse ethnic and religious groups, have been through the 32-hour Mediation Process training seminar. The Mediation Boards have settled thousands of cases.
The Salzburg Seminar, Salzburg, Austria Negotiating Development and Environmental Trade-Offs Seminars (1991). Co-presented the negotiation and mediation process modules of a two-week seminar, sponsored by the Salzburg Seminar, an international organization that conducts educational dialogues and seminars to promote international communication and cooperation on critical world issues. The seminar was attended by 52 environmental professionals from governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations from over 30 nations.
Environmental Evaluation Unit/Centre for Intergroup Studies, University of Capetown, South Africa-Natural Resources Decision Making and Conflict Management Seminars. Designed and conducted multiple seminars for municipal planners, professionals managing national and provincial parks, and community leaders. The courses focused on the uses of negotiation, facilitation, and mediation to resolve disputes over land use, environmental protection and natural resource development issues. A specific focus was the protection and management of wildlife on park land.
Solidarity (Labor Union) Warsaw Region-Warsaw. Co-conducted two 32-hour seminars on negotiation, collective bargaining and grievance resolution for 40 key leaders of the Solidarity Trade Union. The first seminar was for the Mazovsze Regional Committee and staff who are responsible for conducting major national collective bargaining negotiations, plant closures and employee re-deployment. The seminar focused on the use of negotiations in collective bargaining, defining worker involvement in plant ownership and management, the economic restructuring of the Polish national economy and defining the role of trade unions in a democratic society.
Polish Ministry of Education and the University of Warsaw, Warsaw (1990). Conducted a 40-hour seminar on Decision Making and Conflict Management for Educational Administrators, for 36 of the 49 regional public school superintendents in Poland. The seminar focused on democratic decision-making procedures for handling policy decisions, cooperative management and dispute resolution procedures and school-based management practices. The training program was part of a coordinated effort to introduce cooperative problem solving and dispute resolution into the Polish educational system. A second seminar, conducted by a colleague, introduced conflict resolution skills to 40 Polish teachers.
Natal Parks Board, Natal Town and Regional Planning Commission, and the Environmental Evaluation Unit of the University of Capetown, Midmar, Natal Province, South Africa (1989). Co-conducted an introductory Environmental Dispute Resolution Seminar for the Natal Parks Board and staff, and the Board and staff of the Natal Town and Regional Planning Commission. The goal of the seminar was to introduce democratic public participation procedures to both agencies.
Environmental Evaluation Unit/Centre for Intergroup Studies, University of Capetown, South Africa Natural Resources Decision Making and Conflict Management Seminars. Co-designed and conducted two 32-hour seminars for municipal planners, professionals managing national and provincial parks, and community leaders. The courses focused on the uses of negotiation, facilitation, and mediation to resolve disputes over land use, environmental protection, and natural resource development issues. A specific focus was the protection and management of wildlife on park land.
Mediation and Negotiation Training in South Africa. Served as a trainer in mediation and negotiation and as a consultant to those attempting to open the lines of communication between the UDF (United Democratic Front) and the IFP (Inkatha Freedom Party). The five weeks of training was conducted throughout the country for representatives of non-governmental organizations, universities, church groups, community and political action groups, trade unionists, environmentalists and selected government officials.
Vuleka Trust/Centre for Intergroup Studies Durban, Natal Province. Co-conducted two seminars for the Vuleka Trust, an interdenominational organization chartered to foster inter-racial cooperation. The first program was a Family Mediation Workshop that was an introduction to procedures used to resolve interpersonal disputes.
A second workshop, Effective Mediation for Community Leaders, focused on mediation strategies, procedures and skills which might be applied to ongoing, sometimes violent, community and political conflicts in the Province of Natal.
Law Society of Upper Canada Toronto, Ontario. Conducted two 40-hour seminars on Child Custody and Divorce Mediation for members of the Bar.
Rijkswaterstaat Ministry of Public Works, The Netherlands Natural Resource Conflict Management and Facilitated Problem Solving. Co-designed and conducted a two-day seminar for this agency which is the national department of public works. This program was part of a larger effort by the Dutch government to initiate public involvement programs as part of their new environmental protection program.
Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia Vancouver, British Columbia. Designed and conducted six 40-hour seminars on Child Custody and Divorce Mediation for members of the British Columbia Bar. Approximately 180 people were trained over a two-year period. This seminar was the only CLE sponsored program in British Columbia that was required of family law practitioners who wanted to offer family mediation as a part of their services. Observers have noted that these programs have significantly changed how many family disputes are resolved in the province. Canadian-specific case studies were designed and written for this program.
Agriculture Canada, Farm Debt Review Board. Designed of a nationwide mediation program to resolve debtor-lender cases for the Canadian Farm-Debt Review Board. Subsequently trained over 250 mediators to implement the program in all Canadian Provinces.
Independent Mediation Service of South Africa. Trained a number of South African labour mediators in approaches and procedures to resolve large public and political disputes. The focus of the seminar was on approaches for negotiating new structures to end apartheid in the industrial sector.
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