Burbach: 'Conflict can be an opportunity'

Brianne Wolf, SNR graduate student and Global Engagement administrative associate, laughs during group discussion during the Environmental Conflict Management short-course in September 2018. | Shawna Richter-Ryerson, natural resources
Brianne Wolf, SNR graduate student and Global Engagement administrative associate, laughs during group discussion during the Environmental Conflict Management short-course in September 2018. | Shawna Richter-Ryerson, natural resources

The Environmental Conflict Management short-course Sept. 5 and 6 brought together nearly 20 graduate students and local state and federal agency workers to learn how to manage natural resources disagreements.

The two-day natural resources course, taught by Dr. Christopher Moore of CDR Associates, who has helped management or mediate conflicts in close to 50 countries around the world, is designed to help students develop the skills need to facilitate and manage conflict over environmental issues.

The program blends presentations, group discussions, conflict analysis, and strategy design exercises to create an engaging learning environment.

“No matter which area of natural resources you pursue as a career, at some point as you progress in your field, you’ll be called upon to be a facilitator of a group on an issue,” said Dr. Mark Burbach, geoscientist with the Conservation and Survey Division at the School of Natural Resources and host of the course offered in even years. “This course is about appreciating the importance of doing it as best as possible. Despite a conflict, positive outcomes you never foresaw can come from a well-conducted conflict management session.

“Conflict can be an opportunity.”

In his lecture, Moore emphasized how important preparation was in managing a group of people from opposing points of view on an issue.

“You want to address issues so people are satisfied with the outcome,” Moore said. “Your job is to negotiate a solution.”

Over the course of his career, Moore has specialized in assisting government agencies, private sector and non-governmental organizations in resolving conflicts with compromise and solutions on public policy, water, land, natural resource and energy development. He’s also provided leadership in peacebuilding initiatives after violent conflicts and political transitions.

“Be prepared to ride the horse in the direction it’s going,” Moore said. “If you follow the lead of the group, you won’t be thrown from the horse, and eventually, you may be able to turn it.”

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