At the heart of our understanding-based conflict resolution training is the belief that those in conflict hold the keys to unlocking resolution by transforming emotions and opinions into sources of empathy, connection, and understanding.
This year, the Center celebrates 40 years of bringing together people in conflict through understanding-based conflict resolution education. We are committed to expanding accessibility, evaluating, and adapting programming to be more inclusive and equitable while preparing learners to meet the complex needs for resolving conflict across all sectors of our society, at home and abroad.
Our approach is that parties can work together to find the best solution by understanding their views, the other’s views, and their practical reality. Woven into our training is transforming our emotions and opinions into sources of empathy, connection, and understanding to bring together parties in conflict. Our vision is that people in conflict will engage in authentic conversations that build understanding between them, and our mission is to train professionals and community members in the skills and self-awareness needed to bring understanding to conflict-driven conversations.
In the United States and abroad, we have trained more than 10,000 nonprofit and corporate leaders, lawyers, law teachers, judges, human resources personnel, mental health providers, and other professionals in this method.
We offer diverse programming throughout the year, from our flagship 40-hour Working Creatively with Conflict: Basic Conflict Resolution and Mediation program to advanced specialized training events, a bi-annual teacher training cohort, monthly webinars, and more.
Our Inside Out: Self-Reflection for Conflict Professionals is for those who want to learn how to use self-reflection to help their clients by building an understanding of emotions, experiences, and biases that open them to empathy. Our Real Talk program, developed after years of difficult conversations about race, creates safe and practical spaces to dialogue about race and build relationships. Whether you’re looking for specialized topics to build on your mediation skills, want support from fellow practitioners, or seeking to start or expand your mediation practice, our advanced programs will help you grow your skills.
Our monthly webinar series provides practical insights and advice for conflict resolution professionals looking to continue developing their skills in bringing parties in conflict together. Our yearly membership program is for people who want ongoing support in the Understanding-Based Model and their conflict resolution work. Membership includes monthly webinars, discounts, and more.

Barry Berkman reflects on a career spent bringing together parties in conflict and the understanding-based model’s effect on his life
After 50 years of practicing law, conflict resolution remains a powerful alternative to the court system Barry Berkman, a matrimonial lawyer, has been mediating since the 1980s. He is the founding partner of Berkman Bottger Newman & Schein LLP, with offices in...

Managing Conflict Mindfully: Don’t Believe Everything You Think by Leonard Riskin
Managing Conflict Mindfully offers readers an insightful and practical guide to approaching conflicts with a fresh perspective. Drawing on his extensive experience as a mediator and scholar, Riskin presents a compelling argument for the power of mindfulness in...

Running in when others run away: Making the change to a career in conflict resolution
What drives conflict resolution professionals, many of who leave otherwise successful careers that took decades to build - from attorneys and executives, mental health and family service practitioners, to nonprofit administrators and more, to willingly go into the...
Upcoming Training Opportunities


Online
Working Creatively with Conflict: 40 Hour Basic Mediation and Conflict Resolution Training (Online)
September 27 at 8:00 am - October 7 at 4:30 pm PDTSelf-Reflection for Conflict Professionals Intensive (SCPI) 2024
January 20, 2024 at 9:00 am - June 8, 2024 at 12:00 pm PSTWorking Creatively with Conflict: 40 Hour Basic Mediation and Conflict Resolution Training (Online)
January 26, 2024 at 8:00 am - February 3, 2024 at 4:30 pm PSTTeacher Training Program 2024 (Hybrid)
February 23, 2024 at 9:00 am - October 18, 2024 at 1:00 pm PSTWorking Creatively with Conflict: 40 Hour Basic Mediation and Conflict Resolution Training (Online)
June 20, 2024 at 8:00 am - June 28, 2024 at 4:30 pm PDT
In-Person
Working Creatively with Conflict: 40 Hour Basic Mediation and Conflict Resolution Training (West Coast)
November 15 at 2:30 pm - November 19 at 12:15 pm PSTTeacher Training Program 2024 (Hybrid)
February 23, 2024 at 9:00 am - October 18, 2024 at 1:00 pm PSTWorking Creatively with Conflict: 40 Hour Basic Mediation and Conflict Resolution Training (West Coast)
March 13, 2024 at 1:30 pm - March 17, 2024 at 1:30 pm PDTWorking Creatively with Conflict: 40 Hour Basic Mediation and Conflict Resolution Training (West Coast)
November 6, 2024 at 1:30 pm - November 10, 2024 at 1:30 pm PST
Webinars
Creative Uses of the Understanding-Based Model
October 30 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm PDTShifting Focus: All About Interests
November 27 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm PSTFREE – 2023 Town Hall: Exploring Possibilities
December 12 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm PST
Stay Connected

Every month we share a newsletter that contains upcoming programs, articles, book reviews, podcast interviews and more about understanding-based conflict resolution and mediation.
