(BALTIMORE – April 21, 2010) How we view the world affects how we resolve conflicts, but what if the disputing parties see the world in very different ways? The Maryland Judiciary’s Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office (MACRO) will host a free program about national and cultural viewpoints and their impact on the ability to resolve conflicts. The program will be held Monday, May 10, 6:30-9 p.m., at the University of Baltimore Student Center and Performing Arts Theater, 5th floor, 21 West Mount Royal Ave., Baltimore.

The event is “An Evening with Alma Abdul-Hadi Jadallah, Ph.D.” Jadallah will speak about “Challenges and Opportunities for Third Party Roles in the Protracted Arab-Israeli Conflict: A Critique of the North American Model, Practice and Theory.” Her presentation is part of MACRO’s “Evening With” series, featuring national leaders in mediation and conflict resolution. Jadallah is president and managing director of Kommon Denominator in Fairfax, Va., and an advisory board member for the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at the George Mason University. As a national and international conflict resolution practitioner, Jadallah has led civil society initiatives related to the Arab world and the Islamic community. Her company’s services include organizational and leadership development, conflict prevention and mitigation, training and education, public participation, capacity building, and monitoring and evaluation.

The “Evening With” series is presented for alternative dispute resolution professionals, students and the general public. MACRO is co-hosting this series with the Negotiations and Conflict Management Program at the University of Baltimore.

The program is free. No reservations are required, and light refreshments will be provided. Discounted parking vouchers will be given to the first 55 participants who sign in at the event. For more information, visit www.mdcourts.gov/macro.

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