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Beyond Intractability: A Free Knowledge Base on More Constructive Approaches to Destructive Conflict
   


Consensus Building


Consensus building (or collaborative problem solving) is basically mediation with a large number of parties, and often a large number of issues. It is commonly used in complex public policy and environmental conflicts, although it can be used in other contexts as well.


Pros and Cons of Consensus Building



Frank Dukes talks about the pros and cons of using collaborative processes to build consensus on environmental issues.

Frank Dukes, director of the Institute for Environmental Negotiation at the University of Virginia, talks about the importance of public participation in conflict resolution processes. Bringing community members together allows them to build coalitions and move toward consensus on important public policy issues. In addition, those who participate in making decisions feel more connected to their communities and have a sense of responsibility and ownership.

Frank Blechman believes searching for consensus is not always an efficient use of people's time.


Ins and Outs of Consensus Building



Larry Susskind discusses how he measures success in his consensus building work.

Frank Dukes of the Institute for Environmental Negotiation at the University of Virginia talks about the dangers of an intervenor assuming he or she knows what a particular conflict is about.

Frank Dukes describes how people on opposite sides of a contentious issue can work together as a team to build consensus.


Cross-Cultural Applications of Consensus Building Processes



Consensus-building was initially developed in the U.S. and other Western democracies. Does it work in other cultures and political systems?Larry Susskind talks about how to institute the American model of consensus building in a variety of cultural settings.


Case Examples of Consensus Building



Larry Susskind talks about consensus building and mediation in the Middle East.

Kristin Clay talks about a successful advocacy campaign designed to encourage an Indonesian paper mill to practice sustainable forestry.

Frank Dukes describes a communication technique that he sometimes used in particularly tense consensus building processes.

Julian Portilla and Gachi Tapiaof Partners for Democratic Change International, recount conducting workshops to deal with land occupation conflicts in Argentina's Iguazu province.

Julian Portilla and Gachi Tapiaof Partners for Democratic Change International continue discussing land conflict in Argentina's Iguazu province.

Efrain Martinez describes the remarkable response of Jasper, TX to a violent hate crime.
This rough transcript provides a text alternative to audio. We apologize for occasional errors and unintelligible sections (which are marked with ???).

 
I have invented something which . . . I have been calling "Senesh's Law" - That if you can't teach it to the second grade it probably isn't true. -- Kenneth Boulding

Featured Links
Organizations Making Noteworthy Contributions to Efforts to Promote More Constructive Conflict
Center for International Development
Center for International Development


Other Resources from
Beyond Intractability
A User's Guide for Third Siders
A User's Guide for Third Siders

The Third Side concept was developed by William Ury. Third Siders are people who try to see both sides of a conflict and encourage cooperative solutions, fair fights, and decision making that advocates solutions which meet everyone's interests and needs as much as possible.

Nobel Peace Prize Winners

Willy Brandt
Willy Brandt

Former Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, and 1971 Nobel Peace Laureate

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