Advancing the Future of Mediation
Kids Managing Conflict Schools (KMC) was honored to serve as the Education Foundational Partner at the Southern California Mediation Association’s (SCMA) 36th Annual Fall Conference, held on October 26, 2024, at Pepperdine University in Malibu. The conference gathered mediation professionals to explore how the field is evolving in a changing world.
A Night of Celebration
The event began with a special Friday Night Awards Dinner, where Jason Harper, KMC Advisory Board Member, received the President’s Award for his contributions to conflict resolution. We were also proud to have our leadership team in attendance, including Anne Sawyer (President), Cheryl Epps (Executive Director), and board members Wendy Kramer, Chuck Erwin, Dr. Debra Dupree, Dr. Ashley Rosenthal, and Sadie Cort. Their ongoing commitment to KMC and the wider conflict resolution community is invaluable.
The Changing Landscape of Mediation
This year’s theme, “A Changing World: The Past, Present, and Future of Mediation”, focused on helping mediators adapt to the rapidly evolving landscape of technology and societal change. The conference offered workshops, networking opportunities, and sessions led by thought leaders like Sukhsimranjit Singh (Pepperdine University) and Sara Campos (Loyola Center for Conflict Resolution), who emphasized skill-building and collaboration across the mediation community.
As KMC continues its mission to teach conflict resolution in schools, we were excited to contribute to the conversation on how early education can shape future generations of mediators. By empowering students and educators with tools for peaceful conflict management, we believe we can create a ripple effect that reaches beyond classrooms and into communities.
Looking Toward the Future
The conference was a reminder of the importance of partnerships in the mediation field. KMC is committed to working with SCMA and other organizations to expand our training programs and reach even more schools and communities. We believe that by continuing to collaborate, we can help shape a future where conflict is resolved with understanding and respect.
We’re grateful to the SCMA for hosting such an inspiring event, and we look forward to continuing our work together to build a more peaceful world.
About Kids Managing Conflict Schools
Kids Managing Conflict Schools offers peer mediation training and conflict resolution education to students and educators. Our goal is to equip individuals with the skills to manage conflict constructively, helping to create a more peaceful and collaborative world.
We would like to thank you for your ongoing support. Every donation, big or small, helps us keep this project growing!
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