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.

20-years of conflict resolution work breaks new ground while bringing together parties in conflict through understanding
Career practitioner champions a unique approach in Europe while training others to do the same Nathalie Herren is no stranger to conflict resolution or the challenges presented not just by those in conflict but the culture and traditions surrounding popular models of...

When You Greet Me I Bow: Notes and Reflections from a Life in Zen, by Norman Fischer
In When You Greet Me I Bow: Notes and Reflections from a Life in Zen, author, Zen Buddhist priest, and CUC trainer Norman Fischer offers a profoundly insightful and thought-provoking exploration of Zen philosophy that resonates deeply with conflict resolution and...

Mediation is not “a magic wand” for conflict resolution, but it can be a powerful way to mend work relationships. Here’s how it works at SAP.
By Diederichs Andrea, Storyteller and mediator at SAP June 15, 2023 Sleepless nights? Knots in your stomach on the way to work? No matter – if you just wait long enough, this conflict with your colleague will go away all by itself. At least, that’s we usually hope...
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 PST16-Hour Advanced Matrimonial Mediation Training Online (East Coast)
May 29, 2024 at 1:00 pm - June 6, 2024 at 5:00 pm EDT
West Coast
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 PSTSelf-Reflection for Conflict Professionals Intensive (SCPI) 2024
January 20, 2024 at 9:00 am - June 8, 2024 at 12:00 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
East Coast
Self-Reflection for Conflict Professionals Intensive (SCPI) 2024
January 20, 2024 at 9:00 am - June 8, 2024 at 12:00 pm PSTTeacher Training Program 2024 (Hybrid)
February 23, 2024 at 9:00 am - October 18, 2024 at 1:00 pm PST24-Hour Basic Mediation Training (East Coast)
April 25, 2024 at 1:00 pm - April 27, 2024 at 12:00 pm EDT16-Hour Advanced Matrimonial Mediation Training Online (East Coast)
May 29, 2024 at 1:00 pm - June 6, 2024 at 5:00 pm EDT
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.
