Third Side Forum

April 25 - Reflections and Dialogue

In our Forum mailing we posted the following two Third Side News Stories.

Catholic bishops to mediate bitter Uruguayan dispute - Argentine and Uruguayan bishops have accepted an invitation from Argentine President Nestor Kirchner to mediate a bitter dispute over the construction of two pulp mills in Uruguay that opponents say will cause severe environmental damage. The long-running dispute over construction of the $1.7 billion plants in the Uruguayan town of Fray Bentos has soured relations between the two countries.

“I still forgive him” – On a summer night in 2003, Anthony Warren of Hyde Park fired three gunshots into the air outside a three-decker in Dorchester to scare two women who lived on the first floor after an argument. One bullet severed the spine of Kai Leigh Harriott, then 3, who was sitting outside on her family's third-story porch with a sister. Kai and four members of her family told a Suffolk Superior Court judge that the shooting had changed their lives forever, but had also shown them the value of forgiveness.

Please share any thoughts or comments.

April 11 - Reflections and Dialogue

In our Forum mailing we posted the following two Third Side News Stories.

School Violence Targeted- Recent incidents of student fighting in the Buffalo Public Schools point to a disturbing problem facing schools across the U.S., according to a nationally regarded expert in
school violence at the University of Buffalo. UB has been assisting the city and developing a wide and deep array of programs to address the issues.

Talking Cure for War - Global Majority hosts their second conference on nonviolent resolution. The focus will be begin to further develop the foundation of their work. In the future Board secretary Nick Tomb explains that the idea is to convene in a country with a longstanding conflict where a board member resides—perhaps Colombia, Nepal, Israel or Sri Lanka—and
there forge a network with other groups working toward negotiation, then issue a call for the warring parties to come to the table. At that point Global Majority will offer expertise in the actual mediation.

Please share any thoughts or comments.

Mar 28 - Reflections and Dialogue

In our Forum mailing we posted the following two Third Side News Stories.

58 Young Palestinian, Israeli Leaders Re-Affirm Partnership Against Extremism - Meeting for the first time 58 OneVoice Palestinian & Israeli Youth Leaders explored concrete ways in which they can empower citizens against extremism and towards conflict resolution. Among the decisions reached that evening was to institute a college speaking tour on Israeli and Palestinian campuses.

For slain soldier's father, shelter from funeral protesters - U.S. Army Sgt. Gordon Foster Misner II's family was shielded by the Patriot Guard from protestors. Sgt. Misner recently passed away Feb. 22 in Iraq. The protesters are part of Kansas church who have been protesting the US's stand on gay rights at the funerals of soldiers across the country. The Patriot Guard riders line up with hundreds of American flags and revving motorcycle engines so families of fallen soldiers neither hear nor see the group protesting during the funeral services of their loved ones.

Please share any thoughts or comments.

Mar 14 - Reflections and Dialogue

In our Forum mailing we posted the following two Third Side News Stories.

Norway Keen to Share Conflict Transformation Experiences With Nepal - Norwegian experts are currently in Kathmandu to share Norway’s experiences in conflict resolution and mediation. “We also want other countries to come and share their experiences (in resolving conflict) so as to provide a complete tool kit to Nepal,” states Norwegian ambassador to Nepal, Tore Toreng.

Facing the Truth: Northern Ireland Face to Face with the Past - BBC is currently airing Facing the Truth a three-part series documenting six meetings, one each day, in which Archbishop Desmond Tutu brokered unprecedented dialogue between those responsible for violence and those who suffered at the hands of violence in the Northern Ireland conflict.

Please share any thoughts or comments.

Feb 28 - Reflections and Dialogue

In our Forum mailing we posted the following two Third Side News Stories.

To deal with Hamas, Israel might consider NGOs
A commentary exploring the third side role the NGOs could play representing civil society to support the Israeli and Palestinian governments and ease the lives of both peoples.

Study circle coordinator lends an ear to her community
In Kuna Idaho Arnette Johnson and community members meeting together and listening to each other through Study Circles has made a difference. In the past seven years, Kuna’s Study Circles have discussed important issues such as creating a comprehensive plan for growth, education concerns, encouraging area business growth, and meeting critical infrastructure needs.

Please share any thoughts or comments.

Feb 14 - Reflections and Dialogue

In our Forum mailing we posted the following two Third Side News Stories.

The Replacements - An op-ed on the recent negotiations between the New York City's Transport Workers Union and the Metropolitan Transit Authority. Can we consider bringing in the second string and replace the stress of negotiation with camaraderie and creativity?

Consortium on Media Improvement of Post- Conflict Society Founded - “New Media Initiatives” is a newly established regional consortium involving the three media NGOs from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia and Montenegro. Their focus is “From Conflict to Trust”. Please share any thoughts or comments.

Jan 31 - Reflections and Dialogue

In our Forum mailing we posted the following two Third Side News Stories.

Conflict Resolution Center Helps Businesses Resolve Workplace Strife - Companies are increasingly turning to conflict- resolution techniques and workplace mediation to resolve employee conflict in Santa Cruz. Over the past four years, the Conflict Resolution Center has helped 260 local businesses, nonprofits and government agencies with conflict-resolution issues.

Rwanda's Women Play A Key Role In Peace Building - Six years ago, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 1325, calling for greater participation of women in conflict prevention and peace building. Today Rwandan women are playing a key role in the country’s reconciliation process.

Please share any thoughts or comments.

Jan 17 - Reflections and Dialogue

In our Forum mailing we posted the following two Third Side News Stories.

First Joint Croatian-Serbian Film on Vukovar Completed - ’Vukovar - Final Cut’ The documentary film on the war in Vukovar, produced by B92, was completed last week.  The focus was to bring together about 70 protagonists on both opposed sides to reconstruct the events in Vukovar in the period from the first free elections in Croatian in April 1990, to the massacre of Ovcara in November 1991 and the Belgrade trials for the crimes at Ovcara in 2005.

Sudan/Chad Conflict Solution Depends On Dialogue - Alpha Konare, chairman of the African Union (AU) Commission, said that Sudan and Chad should realize that the only choice to achieve peace is through dialogue.  "They have to understand that there is no other way to follow but dialogue and they have to accept, for this reason, that other brothers help them to talk. Those who made any mistakes should admit it and correct them, because in Africa we must work in peace and trust", he stressed.

Please share any thoughts or comments.