Ashland Center for Nonviolence hosting day-long conflict management workshop Oct. 10

ASHLAND, Ohio – The Ashland Center for Nonviolence (ACN) at Ashland University is hosting a conflict management workshop, “Bridging the Divide: What to do When People Disagree,” on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. It is open to the public and will take place in the Heritage Room of the John C. Myers Convocation Center.

Facilitated by Jennifer C. Batton, Ph.D., “Bridging the Divide” will help participants develop practical strategies for de-escalating conflict and building solutions that last. There will be a focus on managing high emotions and keeping conversations productive.

Batton brings more than 30 years of experience in conflict resolution/alternative dispute resolution, with expertise in training, teaching, policy development and program implementation. She has worked extensively with educators, policymakers and youth-serving professionals to help local and global communities build their capacity to prevent, address and manage conflict.

Her international experience spans 23 countries, including work as a senior consultant to UNESCO’s International Institute for Educational Planning, and she is the current co-chair of the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict, Peace and Conflict Resolution Education Working Group. She spent eight years with the Ohio Commission on Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management, serving 3,600 primary and secondary public schools and 52 teacher-training colleges and universities, and seven years as director of the Global Issues Resource Center at Cuyahoga Community College.

Batton earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Miami University, a master’s degree in conflict resolution from Antioch University and a Ph.D. in urban education policy studies from Cleveland State University.

The workshop is free and includes lunch and light refreshments, but participants must register ahead of time. Register here.

ACN, in its 23rd year, promotes alternatives to violence through education, training and building relationships that foster awareness and consideration of issues related to nonviolence and social justice, and supports ways to create a caring community that is inclusive and just.

For more information, please contact Shelley Karl, assistant director of ACN, at skarl@ashland.edu or 419-289-5313.