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


Introduction: What should one know about a setting in which one is about to intervene? Mark Gerzon, an accomplished facilitator, talks about the importance of knowing the symbols and structures that give actors power in the context of a series of retreats designed for U.S. House Representatives in Washington intended to change the way Representatives treated each other.


This rough transcript provides a text alternative to audio. We apologize for occasional errors and unintelligible sections (which are marked with ???).

Planning and Assessing the Situation
Mark Gerzon
Private facilitator, Mediator, Trainer, Author and key organizer of the Congressional Civility Retreats
Interviewed by
Julian Portilla
2003

Learn about the symbols and structures that give things power in Capitol Hill and make sure the retreat process, this third side process, this conflict resolution process, has those symbols and those structures and those resources. If you don't have the symbols and the structures and the resources, you'll get overpowered by the people who do. So if they have staff and committee and they have money, and rooms, but you don't have staff or committee or money or rooms you can have an idea about who's time has come, but you're idea has no place to hang its hat, so make sure you have the tangible resources you need.

 
The first principle of non-violent action is that of non-cooperation with everything humiliating. -- Cesar Chavez

Featured Links
Organizations Making Noteworthy Contributions to Efforts to Promote More Constructive Conflict
Worldwatch Institute
Worldwatch Institute


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