Conflict Resolution for Youth: Programming for Schools, Youth-Serving Organizations, and Community and Juvenile Justice Settings

• NCJ Number: 161416
• Date Published: May 1996
• Length: 21 pages
• Publication Series: OJJDP Teleconference Videotapes
• Agencies: OJJDP-Sponsored

Annotation

This two-part video of a teleconference profiles various conflict-resolution strategies used by schools, youth-serving organizations, and community and juvenile justice agencies and organizations, and includes answers from a panel of experts to questions from telephone callers.

Abstract

The teleconference explains the principles of four effective conflict resolution approaches and profiles representative programs that reflect these approaches. The Process Curriculum Approach teaches conflict resolution principles and processes through a time-limited course or through daily lessons. Typically, time-limited courses include teaching negotiation or mediation over a semester course period or in a series of workshops in secondary schools. This approach is designed to help students better understand and resolve the conflicts they encounter in their lives at school, at home, and in the community. The Peer Mediation Program Approach provides youth and adults with an opportunity to manage conflicts and resolve disputes through the assistance of a neutral third party, who helps reconcile both substantive issues and relationships. This approach provides mediation services to resolve conflicts between youths, conflict between youth and adults, and conflicts between adults. Young people trained as peer mediators help resolve youth conflicts that involve such issues as jealousies, rumors, misunderstandings, bullying and fights, personal property disputes, and damaged relationships. The Peaceable Classroom Approach is a holistic approach to conflict resolution that involves integrating conflict resolution into the curriculum and daily classroom management. The Peaceable School Approach creates schools in which conflict resolution is integrated as a system for full-school operation. This approach incorporates the three aforementioned approaches. The panel discussion and questions from callers pertain to such issues as conflict resolution in juvenile justice settings, parent and community linkages, and resources and technical assistance for planning and implementing a conflict-resolution program. A participant booklet accompanies the two-part video.