Community Outreach
The Matsunaga Institute's Program on Conflict Resolution (PCR) developed UH ADR (an alternative dispute resolution program), which encourages mediation and informal problem solving. Faculty also provide facilitation and training services to departments at Manoa, other campuses, and the broader community.
Services provided to other departments in the University of Hawai'i system have included:
- Mediation Services for UH Hilo's Department of Tropical Agriculture (January 2008)
- Training for University of Hawai'i's Housing Services (January 2008).
- Facilitation and Training Services for the University of Hawai'i's Library (October 2007 to March 2008).
- Facilitation Services for the University of Hawai'i's Athletics Department (January 2008).
- Training in Deliberative Dialogues: In March 2008, Dolores Foley, Karen Cross and Bruce Barnes conducted a training on “Promoting and Conducting Deliberative Dialogues on Public Issues, using the topic of “What is the 21st Century Mission for Our Public Schools?” for participants from various community sectors, highlighting the deliberative experience of Kealakehe High School students and teachers.
- Training for the University of Hawai'i's Center on Disability Studies (spring 2008).
- Facilitation Services for the University of Hawai'i Commission on Diversity (May 2008).
- Facilitation Services for the University of Hawai'i Commission on the Status of Women (July 2008).
- Mediation Services for the University of Hawai'i at Manoa for the Vice Chancellor's Office for Academic Affairs: Karen Cross, Bruce Barnes, and David Chandler have provided mediation, facilitation, and coaching for several complex cases in 2008.
- Facilitation Services for the University of Hawai'i's John A. Burns School of Medicine: In October 2008, Karen Cross, working with affiliated faculty member Karen Umemoto and Graduate Assistant Katia Balassiano, led a retreat at the Pacific Club to help the medical school articulate their collective values, vision and mission.
Services provided to organizations outside the University of Hawai'i have included:
- The Kaka'ako Makai Advisory Working Group: Karen Cross and Kem Lowry were selected as facilitators by this group “because of the strong track record that the Institute has in successfully facilitating complex issues.” Anne Smoke (a student in the Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution) was also instrumental. The Working Group makes recommendations to the Hawai'i Community Development Authority (HCDA) on the future development of Kaka'ako Makai. Article featruing the Kaka'ako Makai Advisory Working Group (AWG)
- Facilitation Services for Hawai'i Schools: In 2008, Bruce Barnes provided facilitation services through MIPCR to Ahuimanu School in Windward District with the assistance of two Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution students.
- Micronesian Training: Together with Tracey Wiltgen (Executive Director of MCP), Bruce Barnes conducted a system design process for government representatives from the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau and the Marshall Islands, establishing programs to work with federal requirements for special education programs (summer 2008).
- Comprehensive Student Support Services Policy Review Committee: In July 2008 Karen Cross provided feedback on draft policies and the standard of practice documents with a small group of participants to assist the Hawai'i State Department of Education progress in implementation of the 2007 recommendations of the Safe Schools Advisory Committee, which was facilitated by Cross.
- Facilitating Cross-Sector Dialogs: Susan Chandler and Sharon Miyashiro conducted dialogs with stakeholders interested in the Hawai'i 2050 Sustainability State Plan, based on surveys they conducted previously (2008).
- Facilitating Focus Groups for the Department of Education: Susan Chandler facilitated focus groups with educational policy experts on strategies to help the Department of Education improve its communication regarding a more transparent budget, and a clearer explanation of expenditures and future needs (2008).