VIEW BIOS OF TUESDAY SPEAKERS

8:30am
STUDENT PRESENTATIONS - BLOCK #1

Mediation and Community Building: Singapore's Grassroots Approach
(Melvin Loh)

Beyond commercial and legal applications, mediation plays a vital role in community cohesion. Singapore’s rich cultural tapestry and close-knit neighborhoods provide a unique backdrop for community-based mediation programs. This session will dive into Singapore’s grassroots approach, illustrating how local mediation centers and volunteer mediators help resolve disputes and foster a sense of collective responsibility.

We will start by examining the history and evolution of community mediation in Singapore, including the establishment of the Community Mediation Centres (CMC) under the Ministry of Law. These centers specialize in neighborhood disputes—such as noise complaints, shared spaces, and intergenerational conflicts—and use a facilitative approach that emphasizes understanding, empathy, and relationship preservation. Through selected case studies, attendees will learn about the typical lifecycle of a community mediation case, from intake to closure, and the successful outcomes achieved.

An essential part of this session will be the exploration of the training and selection process for community mediators. Unlike commercial mediators, community mediators often come from diverse backgrounds, ranging from retired professionals to community leaders. The session will outline the rigorous competency-based training they undergo, as well as the mentoring and ongoing support systems that help maintain consistent standards and high-quality outcomes.

AI and the Future of Conflict Resolution in the New Space Age
(Ata Türkfiliz)

This presentation will focus on the application of artificial intelligence in conflict resolution and dispute prevention in the New Space Age, exploring how AI tools can help manage complex, multi-stakeholder conflicts, particularly those related to space exploration and governance. Space is a sector where AI is increasingly integrated, while AI’s role in conflict resolution is also rapidly growing. This presentation will focus on how AI can complement interest-based approaches to conflict resolution in space and how AI-driven strategies can enhance collaborative solutions.

Durée as a New Paradigm for Conflict Resolution: Harmony, Dialogue, and In-Between Spaces
(Yulia Oria Shlomenzon)

Yulia will present the concept of "durée" by philosopher Henri Bergson as a new paradigm for conflict resolution that offers an alternative to conventional dichotomous thinking. This idea forms the foundation of the thesis she is currently developing for her Master's degree in Conflict Resolution. Building on Yulia’s architectural thesis and combining these disciplines, she will demonstrate how the concept of durée—which describes a continuous flow of states interpenetrating each other much like musical notes—can serve as a basis for creating "in-between spaces" in mediation processes.

This presentation aligns with the conference theme "Cartographies of Conflict" by proposing a remapping of the space in which conflicts exist—not as a meeting of opposing positions but as a continuous field of possibilities. Yulia will use the model of musical harmony to illustrate how conflicts can be viewed through a prism of continuity and interrelationships, rather than through binary oppositions.

Amway's Exploitation of IBOs: A Case Study on Modern-Day Cultism
(Catherine Yang)

The landscape of conflict resolution can extend beyond traditional disputes to encompass the systemic and often invisible dynamics of exploitation. My proposal examines how Amway, a global multi-level marketing (MLM) organization, fosters an exploitative culture that systematically estranges individuals from their families and social networks. Through a recruitment-driven business model, emotionally charged rhetoric, and high-pressure loyalty structures, Amway creates an insular social ecosystem that pressures members into prioritizing organizational allegiance over personal relationships. This phenomenon represents a nuanced form of conflict—one that unfolds within families and communities but is shaped by larger economic and ideological forces. To illustrate these dynamics, I will use mapping techniques, network models, and visual representations that highlight the mechanisms of coercion and exploitation, revealing how MLMs like Amway systematically fracture social ties and entrench members within exploitative structures.

This proposal aligns with the conference theme by reimagining conflict resolution through spatial and conceptual mapping. My proposal seeks to chart the terrain of economic and psychological exploitation within MLMs, treating estrangement as a form of social conflict that demands new frameworks for analysis and intervention. By visualizing how Amway’s business model operates as a self-reinforcing system of recruitment and indoctrination, my presentation will also propose unique approaches to addressing such conflicts—ones that recognize exploitation as a conflict in its own right. My proposal draws on dynamical systems theory and social network analysis to illuminate how MLM exploitation can be analogous to patterns of control seen in more overtly coercive organizations, such as cults. In doing so, I hope to contribute to a broader conversation about how conflict resolution practitioners can develop innovative strategies to address manipulation, estrangement, and economic coercion within contemporary social landscapes.

Bridging Gaps: Public-Private Partnerships as a Tool for Social Impact and Conflict Resolution
(Sonia Issa)

Conflict resolution is not just about mitigating disputes—it is about fostering sustainable solutions that prevent conflicts from arising in the first place. This presentation will explore how public-private partnerships (PPPs) serve as powerful tools in addressing systemic issues related to housing, community development, and social equity. By leveraging corporate resources and nonprofit expertise, PPPs can create innovative, long-term solutions for historically marginalized communities.

Aligning with the Cartographies of Conflict theme, this presentation maps how organizations navigate and reimagine traditional power dynamics to forge new pathways for resolution and equity. Through case studies and Sonia’s own experience in housing advocacy and mentoring programs, this session will illustrate how these partnerships help dismantle structural barriers while fostering collaboration between stakeholders with differing priorities. Attendees will be invited to rethink the role of large institutions in conflict resolution and explore alternative methods for impactful social change.

Q&A

10:25am
Entrepreneurship toward Starting Your Conflict Resolution Startup or Growing Your Business
(Dr. Alexia Georgakopoulos, Dr. Eileen Petzold-Bradley & Dr. Lizyvette Ramos)

This presentation is based on a new upcoming book that will be released soon by the three authors that cover how entrepreneurship concepts and skills will enhance your ability help you launch a successful conflict resolution business or help you in growing your existing conflict resolution business. It will provide practical steps to give you the edge you need to get your idea and concept of your business into concrete actions that can lead to a successful startup of business. The authors have done research with the leading and successful conflict resolution professionals who run successful businesses and will share their findings of what makes a successful conflict resolution entrepreneur.

11:35am
STUDENT PRESENTATIONS - BLOCK #2

Redefining AI and Intellectual Property Conflicts: A Non-Adversarial Framework for Media-Tech Disputes
(Francesca Antonone)

This presentation will explore the ongoing legal and ethical tensions in the New York Times v. OpenAI (2023) lawsuit, which highlights fundamental disputes over intellectual property rights, AI-driven innovation, and the governance of generative AI models. While current legal frameworks primarily rely on litigation and adversarial processes, Francesca’s research proposes a scalable, non-adversarial resolution framework that leverages alternative dispute resolution ("ADR"), policy reform, and ethical governance to address these conflicts sustainably.

Francesca’s research charts new pathways for AI-related intellectual property disputes beyond traditional litigation. Just as cartographers once mapped uncharted territories, conflict resolution practitioners must now navigate the evolving digital and legal landscapes of AI-driven content disputes. This proposed model—integrating ADR mechanisms, adaptive AI-content licensing, and ethical oversight—serves as a conceptual map for resolving similar conflicts, ensuring that both creators and AI innovators can coexist through structured, fair, and replicable resolution processes.

Mapping Peace: A Practice of Hope
(Jessica Laus)

According to Kelly Hayes and Mariame Kaba, a “practice of hope does not guarantee any victories against long odds, but it does make those victories more possible. Hope, therefore, is not only a source of comfort to the afflicted but also a strategic imperative” (Kaba & Hayes, 2024). Peacebuilders will walk away from my presentation with a new practice of hope and a process to survey the field of peacebuilding through an asset-based lens. These ten focal points and accompanying asset mapping project, when practically applied, allows practitioners, students, and everyday peacemakers the opportunity to strategically assess the field of peace as an act of hopeful resistance against long odds.

Exploring Digital Trolling and Its Impact on Activism and Investigative Journalism in Malta
(Ella Jackson)

This session explores how online harassment may impact activism and investigative journalism in Malta, focusing on the environment surrounding press freedom and public trust in media. Drawing from the case of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia and subsequent challenges faced by independent media and activists, the project examines how digital threats, whether coordinated or informal, can influence journalistic practices and democratic discourse. Through qualitative research and media analysis, this research seeks to understand the broader implications for press freedom and democratic engagement. The session will highlight emerging challenges in the digital information space and consider strategies for supporting resilient activists and independent journalism in politically sensitive contexts.

Civic Engagement as a Decolonial Approach to Conflict Resolution
(Azida Binti Ahmad Azmi)

For decades, Malaysia has approached nation-building through top-down programs designed to instill a sense of unity and patriotism, with PLKN (National Service Training Program) as one of its most notable initiatives. However, these programs have historically focused on militarized discipline, state-sanctioned nationalism, and performative unity, rather than equipping young Malaysians with the tools to engage in real-world governance, policy-making, and social problem-solving. Malaysia’s social conflicts—ranging from racial and religious tensions to education and economic inequalities—are not issues that can be resolved through military-style training or passive academic learning. These challenges require engaged citizens who have the skills to navigate diverse perspectives, participate in governance, and co-create solutions. Unfortunately, the current nation-building model sidelines young people as passive recipients of state-defined nationalism rather than active agents in shaping Malaysia’s future.

The absence of structured civic engagement programs leaves youth disconnected from governance, distrustful of institutions, and excluded from decision-making spaces. Those who do engage often come from elite backgrounds with access to leadership networks, while the majority—especially students from public universities and underserved communities—are left without meaningful avenues to participate. By reframing civic engagement as a tool of conflict resolution, Malaysia can create a model where young people are actively involved in addressing national conflicts rather than being instructed to conform to a static vision of unity. If nation-building is about creating a shared future, then it must be a participatory process, not an imposed ideology. Replacing PLKN with a civic engagement model would empower youth to resolve conflicts through dialogue, governance, and social innovation, rather than through forced nationalism and militarized discipline.

How Can China Better Integrate Hong Kong as a Chinese City?
(Yao Yao)

This presentation will focus on the evolving conflict between Hong Kong and mainland China over the past decade, analyzing how tensions have escalated since the 1997 handover. Yao will explore how traditional conflict resolution frameworks can be adapted to the complexities of the Hong Kong-mainland China conflict, considering its deep historical, political, and cultural roots; as an example, examining how these approaches can be reimagined for Asian sociopolitical contexts, particularly by integrating technological advancements such as AI and digital communication to enhance dialogue and participation. Additionally, Yao will explore how conflict resolution strategies can better engage younger generations, who have played a central role in recent protests, by understanding their mindsets and leveraging innovative intervention methods.

This topic directly aligns with the conference theme, by treating the Hong Kong-mainland China conflict as an evolving landscape that requires modernized resolution strategies. Beyond technology, Yao will examine how psychological theories—such as cognitive biases and group dynamics—can provide fresh insights into de-escalation and negotiation. By contextualizing conflict resolution methodologies for Asian settings and bridging generational divides, Yao’s research aims to chart new and more effective pathways toward sustainable peace.

Q&A

1:30pm
Dispute Resolution in Guardianships: Before, During and After
(Sabrina Morrissey, Carolyn Reinach Wolf, Esq., Deborah G. Rosenthal, Esq. & Marcy Einhorn, Esq.)

This program is designed to assist guardianship practitioners, attorneys and others who are involved in the guardianship world, to examine what alternative dispute resolution options there are, to resolving disputes throughout the guardianship process. The program is presented by experienced guardianship attorneys, who have dozens of years between them, in working through seemingly intractable issues and resolving them. The program will go through the entire guardianship process, from before a petition is filed, until the end of a guardianship, and examine some of the toughest issues with an eye toward best practices in reducing the litigation load on the courts, the expense of litigation and the stress on guardians and families, alike.

2:55pm
Crisis Proof: Mastering Conflict, Reputation Repair, and Public Trust in High-Stakes Moments
(Suzzette Harriott)

A single misstep, a viral tweet, or a leadership scandal—in today’s hyper-connected world, reputational crises can explode in minutes. Whether it’s a company caught in a PR disaster, an executive under scrutiny, or an organization facing internal backlash, how the situation is handled will determine whether it ends in lasting damage or a powerful comeback. When the stakes are high, timing, messaging, and strategic conflict resolution become critical tools in navigating public perception and restoring trust.

This high-energy, interactive workshop goes beyond damage control, offering participants a deep dive into the strategies, psychology, and communication tactics that drive successful crisis management and reputation repair. Through real-world case studies, live crisis simulations, and high-stakes communication drills, you’ll learn:

• How crises escalate and how to intervene at the right moment to prevent irreversible reputational harm.
• The psychology of public trust and how to reframe narratives to shift perception—even after a PR disaster.
• Crisis communication techniques that prevent reputational collapse and rebuild credibility.
• The three phases of crisis response—Containment, Strategic Messaging, and Long-Term Reputation Repair.
• How to craft effective public statements, manage misinformation, and navigate high-pressure media responses.

This session is designed for mediators, business leaders, HR professionals, and crisis managers who need actionable, real-world techniques to handle today’s high-stakes, high-visibility conflicts. Whether dealing with a corporate scandal, workplace controversy, or leadership failure, participants will walk away with proven strategies to navigate crisis moments with confidence and precision.

When everything is on the line, will you know how to respond? Join us and find out.

3:35pm
Complexity of Conflict and Change Management
(Susan Levin)

We will explore how change can create conflict and how conflict requires change. Since people are hard wired to resist change, we'll review the neuroscience behind instinctual reactions from the amygdala, basal ganglia and habenula that can trigger conflict. This offers a starting point for understanding why change can be challenging. Applying change management approaches such as the power/influence-interest matrix offers a way to address or even prevent conflict that could arise. Participants will practice using the matrix in small breakout groups and then complete an action plan to increase their behavioral self-awareness and be ready for an upcoming change.