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SUMMARY:2026 SCPI Retreat: Conflict and Compassion (MEXICO)
DESCRIPTION:In a world where the challenges around us – from climate change to political division to daily interpersonal tensions – can feel overwhelming\, how do we stay connected\, grounded\, and engaged without losing ourselves?\nWe invite you to step away from distractions and overwhelm and into a space of deeper listening – both inward and outward. Together\, we will explore how our emotional reactions shape how we show up in our lives and our work. By turning towards these reactions with curiosity and care\, we can cultivate a greater sense of resilience\, clarity\, and compassion. \n\nThis retreat is especially for those who regularly engage with conflict – mediators\, therapists\, lawyers\, human resource professionals\, activists\, journalists\, leaders\, and caregivers. Whether we want to or not\, we bring our full emotional selves into the room: frustration\, fear\, heartbreak\, and sometimes hope. These feelings\, often hidden or ignored\, can become powerful allies in helping us connect more authentically – with others and with ourselves. \n\nThrough reflective exercises\, dialogue\, role play\, and meditation\, we will look closely at our inner lives\, our work\, and our relationship to conflict. Together\, we’ll practice staying open\, present\, and available—even in the face of difficulty. \nWe’ll do this work in the serene and inspiring setting of Mar de Jade\, nestled on a peaceful stretch of the Pacific Coast north of Puerto Vallarta. This beautiful retreat center offers nourishing food\, yoga\, swimming\, and space to wander\, rest\, and restore. Long afternoon breaks allow time to relax\, connect with nature\, or simply enjoy the quiet. \nWe hope you’ll join us for this meaningful time of learning\, growth\, and connection. \n \nLocation\nMar De Jade Retreat Center\, Chacala\, Mexico.  Visit www.mardejade.com for additional information and photos. \n*A portion of proceeds from guests’ stays at Mar de Jade support its non-profit programs\, operated by MDJ Community Projects\, which currently include: El Jardín\, a Montessori – Waldorf inspired K – 9 school in Chacala; TAO de Jade a trade school for youth who have dropped out of secondary school because of economic hardship; and El Rancho\, an Organic Farm that supplies many of the products for Mar de Jade’s delicious meals. \n \nDates\n\nSaturday\, January 24\, 2026 through Saturday\, January 31\, 2026.\nOur first session will be on the morning of January 25 to allow for travel to Chacala on January 24 and we will end on the evening of January 30 to allow for return travel on January 31.\n\nTraining fee\n\nThe training fee (not inclusive of accommodation) is $1\,695.\nA $500 deposit is required to hold your place. If a deposit is made\, the remaining balance is due by November 1\, 2025.\nIf registering after November 1\, 2025\, payment in full is required at the time of registration.\n\nScroll all the way to the bottom to register for the training.  Housing is booked separately – see below. \n \nAccommodation and Facility fee\nAfter booking your training fee with CUC\, make room reservations directly with Mar De Jade. Remember to book early in order to have a wider choice of rooms:\n\n1. Book Online (unique booking link for direct access to the retreat)\n2. Call 1800-257-0532\n3. Email info@mardejade.com\n\nNote: The online booking system will only reserve complete rooms. If more than two people are booking together and wish to split the deposit on multiple credit cards\, please call Mar de Jade directly. Note they are not able to guarantee shared rates if roommates do not book together.\nLogistics\n\nHousing and meals – includes 7 nights accommodations and 3 delicious buffet style meals per day.\nThe following are extra and optional:  bar drinks\, spa treatments\, and gratuities.\nPick-up and transportation from and to the Puerto Vallerta airport is available at an additional cost.\nExcursions are available during our long afternoon break at an additional cost.\nPlease visit here for Mar de Jade’s cancellation policy and other FAQs.\n\nTrainers\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHansa Patel is an attorney\, mediator\, and teacher.  As an attorney\, Hansa zealously advocated for abused and neglected children or defended their parents’ rights in the San Francisco juvenile dependency court for fourteen years.  Hansa is passionate about serving the underprivileged community.  Feeling depleted by the court system\, Hansa explored new ways to empower her clients to resolve conflict.  Mediation empowers Hansa’s clients to choose how they want to engage with conflict\, co-create resolutions\, and even transform a relationship.  In the USA\, Canada\, and Africa\, Hansa teaches mediation\, including integrating mindfulness skills into conflict resolution.  Hansa wants her clients to have the same tools she cultivates in her children:  a mindful approach to resolving challenges in life. \nCatherine Conner has been a mediation and collaborative practice trainer since 2004. She is a frequent presenter at collaborative conferences and family law workshops. She authored Collaborative Practice Materials with Steven Neustadter and Margaret Anderson. Catherine Conner’s private practice focuses on family law alternate dispute resolution\, including mediation\, collaborative practice\, and private judging. She graduated from the UC Berkeley School of Law in 1982 and is a founding partner of Conner\, Lawrence\, Rodney\, Olhiser & Barrett\, LLP. In 1992\, Catherine became a Certified Family Law Specialist.  She has been honored as the recipient of the Rex Sater Award for Excellence in Family Law\, the Eureka award by Collaborative Practice California and was the 2018 honoree for Careers of Distinction.  She was on the Board of Directors of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals from 2007-2014 and served as the President in 2013. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGary J. Friedman has been practicing law as a mediator with Mediation Law Offices in Mill Valley\, California since 1976\, integrating mediative principles into the practice of law and the resolution of legal disputes. Co-founder of the Center for Understanding in Conflict (formerly the Center for Mediation in Law)\, he has been teaching mediation since 1980. Prior to his work as a mediator\, he practiced law as a trial lawyer with Friedman and Friedman in Bridgeport\, Connecticut. After several years as an advocate\, he sought a new approach to resolving disputes through increasing the participation of the parties in the resolution of their differences. At that time\, he and his colleague\, Jack Himmelstein\, began to develop the Understanding-based model that is now practiced extensively in the United States and Europe. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNorman Fischer is a poet\, author\, Zen Buddhist priest\, and former abbot of the San Francisco Zen Center. As founder of the Everyday Zen Foundation (www.everydayzen.org)\, his work with meditation practice has taken him into many corners of contemporary American life\, including the arts\, education\, hospice training\, and lawyering as a spiritual path. Norman has worked with the Center for Understanding in Conflict on inquiries that bring the calmness and insight of meditation practice directly into conflict situations. The author of 29 books\, his poetry titles include Selected Poems 1980–2013\, Men in Suits\, and There Was A Clattering As…. His recent and notable Buddhist titles include Training in Compassion\, The World Could Be Otherwise\, and\, forthcoming in 2026\, The Great Road: Zen Master Dogen and the Art of Continuous Practice. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nContinuing Education Credits\nLegal: The Center for Understanding in Conflict is an accredited provider of California Continuing Legal Education. This training  – appropriate for both newly admitted and experienced attorneys – will qualify for 30 CA MCLE credit hours\, including 12 Wellness and 2 Civility in the Legal Profession. \nPhoto and Video Notice\nWe’re excited to have you at our training event! Please note that we may be taking photos and videos to capture the wonderful moments and share them in our promotional materials\, including social media\, websites\, and brochures. If you prefer not to be photographed or recorded\, just let one of our friendly organizers or trainers know. We’ll be happy to respect your wishes and ensure your privacy. \nRefund Policy\nA full refund\, minus a $250 administration fee\, will be made if cancelled prior to September 1\, 2025. A 50% refund will be made for cancellations between September 1 and November 1 unless we are able to fill your place.  No refunds will be made after November 1 unless we are able to fill your place. \nPLEASE NOTE THAT REGISTRATIONS RECEIVED LESS THAN 72 HOURS PRIOR TO PROGRAM START WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE TRAINING TEAM DUE TO DEMANDS OF PREPARATION TIME AND ROLE PLAY ASSIGNMENTS. \n  \nFor additional information\, please email us at admin@understandinginconflict.org. \n*Please note that trainers are subject to availability and may change prior to program start without notice. \n  \n**Please select desired ticket and quantity using the +/- feature before clicking ‘Get Tickets.’
URL:https://understandinginconflict.org/event/2026-scpi-retreat-conflict-and-compassion/
LOCATION:Mar de Jade\, Mar de Jade No. 1\, Chacala\, nayarit\, Mexico
CATEGORIES:Advanced Topics,Conference,International,Live Training,Practitioner Training,SCPI Events
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250408T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250409T000000
DTSTAMP:20260504T051739
CREATED:20250214T141145Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250415T201634Z
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SUMMARY:La mediazione Understanding Based (ITALY)
DESCRIPTION:*This event is not managed or administered by the Center for Understanding in Conflict. All matters related to cost\, location\, content\, and quality is the responsibility of the DK-Team and Gary Friedman
URL:https://understandinginconflict.org/event/la-mediazione-understanding-based-italy/
LOCATION:nayarit
CATEGORIES:International
ORGANIZER;CN="DK Team":MAILTO:formazione.dkteam@gmail.com
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240913
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240915
DTSTAMP:20260504T051739
CREATED:20240509T135044Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240808T122212Z
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SUMMARY:Inside Out: How to Handle Difficult Conversations in Mediation and Beyond (ITALY)
DESCRIPTION:Workshop for mediators and lawyers with Gary Friedman and Mario Dotti\nSeptember 13 – 14 2024\, in Scurzolengo (AT)\n  \nMediators and lawyers find themselves handling difficult conversations on a daily basis. With the parties\, with colleagues\, with the judge\, with clients. \nMediation itself is made up of conflictual conversations\, and therefore often difficult. \nBut everyday life is also full of difficult conversations. In any situation: at work\, in the family\, with people we love\, with people we don’t love but with whom we have to collaborate\, or even with complete strangers. \nIn a conflictual conversation a lot of things happen outside of us\, but also inside us: it is all those thoughts\, judgments\, reactions\, emotions that the conflict or its actors trigger us. What boils in it\, however\, is more complicated to interpret. And if we neglect it\, we end up\, even unconsciously\, creating barriers that prevent us from connecting with each other. \nThe book “Inside Out\,” written by Gary Friedman\, has now become a fundamental text in conflict mediation and management and it teaches us a method to understand what conflict is causing within us and how we can turn the negative impact of conflict within us into a resource to be used outside of us\, to resolve conflict. \nRecognizing and managing the dualism between conflict outside and the conflict within us is a crucial skill for the mediator and the negotiating lawyer\, even more so than individual techniques. The same goes for those who want to learn how to manage their conflicts. \nThe course will be a combination of exercises\, role play and educational moments. Part will be held in Italian and part in English with consecutive translation. \nThis course will get you to experience Inside Out live\, first-person and under the guidance of its own creator. \n  \nWhy be there?\n • To take the opportunity to learn from one of the pioneers of mediation worldwide; \n • To gain skills for dealing with difficult conversations and difficult people\, managing your emotional reactions\, and being able to really connect with each other; \n • To strengthen our self-awareness as mediators and conflict professionals\, both in ‘how to do’ and\, even more so\, in ‘how to be’. \n  \nThe venue of the workshop will be a special place: a villa in the hills of Monferrato from Asti\, in Scurzolengo (AT). Two days immersed in nature\, away from the ‘noise’ of the daily work routine\, to live a truly unique training experience. \nThe course is organized by DK Team in partnership with Gary Friedman. \nLearn more about Gary and Mario: www.understandinginconflict.org and www.mariodotti.com \nFor information and registration write to formazione.dkteam@gmail.com \n  \n*This event is not managed or administered by the Center for Understanding in Conflict. All matters related to cost\, location\, content\, and quality is the responsibility of Gary Friedman and Mario Dotti.
URL:https://understandinginconflict.org/event/inside-out-how-to-handle-difficult-conversations-in-mediation-and-beyond-italy/
LOCATION:nayarit
CATEGORIES:International
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240903T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240906T160000
DTSTAMP:20260504T051739
CREATED:20240116T193727Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240808T122416Z
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SUMMARY:Self-Reflection Seminar with Gary Friedman and Norman Fischer (FRANCE)
DESCRIPTION:CUC trainers Gary Friedman* and Norman Fischer will be partnering with Interstices Mediation and the Everyday Zen Foundation to offer an intensive program in Talloires\, France in Self-Reflection and its relevance to working as a professional helping people in conflict. \n \nHost Organization: Interstices Médiation \nDates: Tuesday 3 September at 2pm – Friday 6 September at 4 pm \nTheme: Success and Failure \nInstructors: Gary Friedman* and Norman Fischer \nWhere: The Priory of the Tufts European University Center in Talloires on the shores of Lake Annecy\, 45 minutes from Geneva. \nFees: €1\,650 for 24 hours of training over 4 days\, coffee breaks\, and buffet lunches (accommodation not included) \n \nAll conflict professionals are welcome to attend\, including mediators\, lawyers\, therapists and anyone who works with people in conflict. Our working language will be English and fluency is a requisite for getting the most out of the program. \nProgram Overview \nSuccess and Failure: Typically\, mediation and success are equated with whether the parties reached an agreement. This is a terrible trap\, as there is much more that goes into determining mediation success and failure by a number of standards\, even from the parties in mediation. Quality of process\, for example is an important indicator of whether the mediation was a success or not by both the mediator and the parties. And even using the external standard of whether they reached an agreement is tricky. If the parties don’t reach an agreement in the mediation room\, does that mean it was a failure? And if they reached an agreement that fell apart soon after the mediation was over\, does that mean it was a success? And given our view that the parties “own the process” wouldn’t we say that both credit and blame should be theirs\, not ours? \nOur view is that we need to establish our own standards of what constitutes success or failure based on our own deepest sense of what we consider to be most important to us in working with people. Measuring our success or failure is challenging because we need to be observing ourselves from an internal place rather than an external orientation\, that takes these softer\, more elusive kinds of subjective measurements that fuel our work and are sources of satisfaction and disappointment. In this program we will ask participants to bring their own situations that are psychically with you that you’d like to understand better and build on for sustainability of your work. We will be using role play\, meditation\, and other self-reflective tools to more deeply understand ourselves and our relation to our work\, and what it means for us\, the people we want to help and the world. \nWe strongly suggest that all participants contract cancellation insurance and select transportation options and hotel reservations that can be cancelled without consequences in case pandemic related health restrictions or any other crisis make it impossible to travel to Talloires or to participate in the program. If the program does need to be canceled\, any course fees that have been paid will be entirely reimbursed by the organizers. \nThe program’s organizers and instructors shall not be held responsible for any financial consequences that may be incurred due to the program having to be cancelled due to border closings or other pandemic related measures taken by the public authorities in France or in the country of residence of the participant. \nAccommodation:  \nTalloires has several charming small hotels within a few minutes walking distance from the Priory. Here are some suggestions : \n–Hôtel Beau Site: Tel +33(0)4 50 27 00 65\, www.beausite-talloires.com  \n–Hôtel du Lac: Tel +33(0)4 50 60 71 08\, www.hotel-du-lac.com  \n–La Villa des Roses: Tel +33(0)4 50 66 88 90\, www.villaofroses.com  \nA few kilometers from the center: \nLa Catarina (gite de France) : Tel +33 (0)6 22 99 75 73\, www.lecatarina.com  \nTourist office : Tel +33 (0) 4 50 66 76 54\, www.talloires.fr \n  \nTo register contact:\nArlene Weingart\,  a.weingart@atoutmediation.ch\,  +41 78 618 62 16 \nSylvie Adijes\, sylvie.adijes@interstices-mediation.co\, +33 (0)6 70 07 01 98 \nInterstices mediation\n13\, rue des Envierges\n75020 Paris\nTel: 01 40 31 20 49\nemail: contact@interstices-mediation.com \n  \n*This event is not managed or administered by the Center for Understanding in Conflict. All matters related to cost\, location\, content\, and quality is the responsibility of Gary Friedman and Norman Fischer.
URL:https://understandinginconflict.org/event/self-reflection-for-conflict-professionals-seminar-with-gary-friedman-and-norman-fisher/
LOCATION:Talloires\, France\, Talloires\, France
CATEGORIES:International
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