SEPTEMBER 2015 – UWI TODAY
13
OUR CAMPUS
When not to add fuel to a confrontational situation
Can you read people? Even if not overtly so, can you tell when
someone is upset?
Separate the issue from the person
Try to perceive when a history of negative interactions or other
biases are colouring our own contributions to the actual discussion
at hand.
Be Open
At some point itmay be necessary to saywhen you’re uncomfortable
with a situation or how aggressively the other person is pursuing
a position.
Manage your body language
“Don’t steups and slam the table,” says Sieunarine. Another step
backwards, Sieunarine says, ‘is rolling your eyes and contorting
your face in an asymmetrical way to convey contempt and
condescension. Practice smiling instead.’
Will YOU
Be There?
UWI’S HALF MARATHON
12th edition, 1200 participants
It’s time to challenge yourself. On
October 25, it will just be you and the road
and your innate determination to complete
what you started months ago.
You’ll meet some old friends (like Daniel
Chavez Da Silva of Brazil, Rupert Green
of Jamaica and Philip Lagat of Kenya; even
Caroline Kiptoo of Kenya, Brazilian Cruz
Nonata Da Silva and Colombian Lineida
Madeus Rojas and Guadeloupe’s Christelle
Laurent). You’ll find some new – Cuba’s
Richer Perez, gold medal winner in the Men’s
Marathon at the 2015 Pan Am Games and
Levan Reyes of Venezuela.
You’ll remember that you’re doing it for
you and for the Rape Crisis Society and the
Coalition against Domestic Violence, charities
affiliated with title sponsor First Citizens
Bank PINK Card initiative. And you’ll spare
a thought for Mr. Charles Spooner, the 2014
over 80 winner who passed away this May.
He was 91 and the 2014 race was his 9th
consecutive UWI SPEC International Half
Marathon.
With more than $150,000 in cash prizes,
there’s a category for just about everyone -
including prizes for the physically challenged,
Special Olympics, wheelchair and team/
club. Participants can expect water stops and
markers at every mile, electronic timing and
finish line photography.
So, the question remains – will you be
there?
B y D a r a W i l k i n s o n - B o b b
“Mediation negotiations
are about agreements,” says Ann
Diaz, Programme Co-ordinator of The UWI’s Mediation
Unit, which seeks to develop skilled practitioners in
the art of making peace. She was facilitating a two-day
mediation workshop which had attracted the attention
of representatives from law firms, trade unions, the coast
guard, a church and firms in the financial services sector
and airline industry, among others.
Feature speaker on the first day of the programme was
attorney and chaplain Adrian Sieunarine who introduced
participants to the idea of Interpersonal STARS. STARS,
he explained, is an acronym for sensitivity, tolerance,
assertiveness and restraint – all key components to
successful interactions. The yin-yang of sensitivity and
assertiveness implies a willingness to receive the other
person gently while holding one’s ground when necessary.
Sieunarine traced the trajectory of thoughts into
feelings, then habits. These in turn shape behaviour,
character and, ultimately, lifestyle. For students just
embarking on a tertiary education, much of the information
inputs that will form the foundation of their careers will be
Watch your language, particularly word choices
Use simple, non-threatening language. Think through the words
you use and how those words relate to the background fromwhich
others are coming. Don’t interrupt others and diplomatically ask
them not to interject when you are speaking.
Use empathy to build relational bridges
Generally speaking, subconsciously people are resistant to change
and to learning new things. What might initially be mistaken for
stubbornness might eventually be seen, by standing in the other’s
shoes, as fear of abandoning “certainties” and comfort zones.
Speaking voice
Lower a loud voice, project if you have a soft voice, and modulate
your tones if you have a shrill voice.
To learn more about mediation, please contact the Mediation
Unit, Faculty of Social Sciences. T: 662-2002 ext. 82539, 82617;
email:
drawn from their years at The UWI and the development
of critical thinking ability. Indeed, the formative years of
childhood into youth as well as these very crucial years of
intellectual growth and challenge will strongly influence
that first stage: thoughts.
The term “conflict” is defined in the dictionary as
serious disagreement, and also, an antagonistic state or
action. The ability to clearly analyse a particular problem
can greatly influence the outcome of the conflict. Sieunarine
points out that hasty words often have long-lasting negative
effects. Life oftenmakes circles and it is far better to use this
time to be collaborative and build linkages for the future.
“Many people in our society grow up thinking of who
we are against. We need to change that culture and learn to
work together. It is a massive cultural shift,” says Sieunarine.
Skillful mediation is simply the art of peace-making.
Armed with the right tools, you can take gentle control of a
conflict situation. According to Sieunarine, “If you have the
skill to unite and guide people, you will have an amazing
victory. Do not divide and conquer. Unite and guide.”
Mediation and Conflict Resolution Guidelines
Dara Wilkinson-Bobb is an assistant lecturer (p/t) in the Writing Centre of the Faculty of Humanities and Education
On a diverse campus with a large population of mixed ages, races,
backgrounds, genders and worldviews, there is bound to be conflict.
After all, a university campus is a microcosm of the world outside.
The Art
of
Peace
Registration at First
Citizens branches for
the 12th UWI SPEC
International Half
Marathon runs until
September 18, 2015.
Package
Collection
October 5 – 18
at UWI SPEC
Weekdays:
9am – 5pm
Weekends
9am – 1pm
Start/Finish
UWI SPEC,
St. Augustine
Campus
