Weeklong events offer tools to prevent, resolve conflicts

October 11, 2012

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Conflicts are like seasonal colds. They may catch you by surprise, but when the symptoms are addressed early, few tissues are wasted.

Conflict Resolution Week — a series of workshops, speeches and events sponsored by the University of Florida Dean of Students Office and numerous organizations — begins Friday.

The public is invited to attend programs and talks ranging from mediating disputes between co-workers and roommates to how reconciliation dialogues can improve human rights domestically and abroad.

Friday’s daylong session is sponsored by the Levin College of Law and will discuss ethics, domestic violence, and diversity and cultural awareness.

Also on Friday, James O’Dea, former Washington Office Director of Amnesty International and former president of the Institute of Neotic Sciences, will discuss new scientific tools and theories available for peacekeeping missions. It starts at 2 p.m. in the Graham Gallery of Graham Residence Hall.

Other events include screening of the film “Bully,” which documents the lives of bullied U.S. school children, at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Reitz Student Union Auditorium. Finishing out the week will be a three-hour Gator and Gamecock Tailgater Oct. 20, which is co-sponsored by the University of South Carolina.

Visit http://www.dso.ufl.edu/news/news.php?id=202 for a schedule of events and additional information about Conflict Resolution Week.