Community-focused conflict training is core to creating a better civil society, and we are ready to launch a new training that will make King County better. This last year, with the help of funding we received directly from the Washington State Legislature, we took the audacious step of re-envisioning and re-imagining the traditional Basic Mediation Training (BMT). We knew we wanted to develop a curriculum that infused equity throughout the entirety of the training and considered the complexities and realities related to cultural factors in conflict. To understand those factors in real ways, we spent time listening to the experts, all of you, the community, squarely focusing in on BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and people who were formerly incarcerated. We held many listening sessions with people throughout the community, and we learned a lot.
- Cultural factors feed and influence conflict.
- People are looking for solutions to better work through conflict in their daily lives.
- People do not have $795 for training that most Basic Mediation Trainings cost..
- People cannot take a week off work to do a training.
We listened to the community and are proud to launch Conflict Resolution for Everyone (CoRE)–a new culture-forward, equity-infused conflict resolution curriculum that fulfills the basic requirements of Basic Mediation Training. This new, one-of-a-kind curriculum was developed to help people navigate and resolve conflict in their own everyday lives by helping everyone approach arguments and disagreements with more effective approaches. And, if they choose to, they can also learn the fundamentals in the facilitative mediation process.
Community-focused conflict training can teach core skills to improve relationships and stop arguments.
Executive Director Dave M. talks about the creation of this new program, “King County is one of the most diverse counties in the country, so we wanted to create a program that would be beneficial to a wide range of people. Creating a culturally relevant program meant having listening sessions and focus groups with residents and organizations throughout South King County. We heard perspectives from people of color and marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+, immigrant, and formerly incarcerated individuals. With a better understanding of conflict from different perspectives, we have created a truly unique learning opportunity.”
Professional and Community Education Manager Daniel D. says, “We believe everyone can strengthen their ability to resolve conflicts in their everyday lives. The classes are set up in 10 modules that can be taken together, or an individual can choose just one skill they want to work on, like giving feedback or negotiation. These classes will be offered on days and at times that are accessible for people’s busy lives. CoRE is for everyone, whether you want to become a mediator or simply want to address problems with your neighbors, co-workers or family in a more productive way.”
At this moment in time, conflict is playing a larger role in our lives, not just in the news, but at work, school, community meetings, and even at home. It seems more important now that we live our KCDRC mission to “promote meaningful pathways for everyone to engage with conflict, to learn from each other, and to grow in community.” With this in mind, we are excited to announce that the first year of CoRE classes will be completely FREE to anyone residing in King County. Dave M. says, “Acting on our values of equity, learning, trust, collaboration and community-focus made the decision to offer CoRE without cost in the first year really easy. We want everyone to learn these skills. Removing any financial barriers is important to our staff and board, and we hope it will be important to our donors and other funders so we can continue offering CoRE for free.”
Community-focused conflict training is CoRE! These course offerings will launch in early 2024. To learn more about CoRE and join the waiting list to be notified when registration opens, visit the CoRE website.