Success StoryStrengthening Civility in Communities



Strengthening Civility in Communities

Author: Ronald Hustedde

Planning Unit: Community & Leadership Development

Major Program: Conflict Resolution

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

Americans are losing aspects of civility and mutual respect as they become more entrenched in ideological stances.   Fifteen  Extnsion agents and Extension specialists took part in a one-day 'train the trainer' workshop to learn how to navigate community conflicts  with tools and structured approaches that can create common understanding and improved communicaitons.  They also learned how to use interest-based problem solving to find win-win solutions for disputants.  The Extension educators will be expected to teach their constituencies how to resolve difficult public conflict or to at least build better understanding of the many dimensions of public disputes.  The particpants have access to training materials to integrate  conflict resolution into leadership and other training programs.