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| Civic Leaders Mentor Youth in Conflict Resolution |
November 15, 2005: Over 200 students from approximately 40 schools attended the "Many Voices, One World: 2005 Peer Mediation Invitational," on November 7 th and
9 th . These students, who serve as peer mediators on their campuses, were invited
to the Western Justice Center Foundation and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in
Pasadena to engage in mediation role plays and interact with peer mediators
from other schools. Attorneys, judges, professional mediators and community
members served as coaches in the mediation role plays and provided helpful
feedback for students regarding their mediation skills and collaborative problem
solving. Students also provided and received constructive critique from their fellow
peer mediators. Following the mediation role plays, elementary school students
enjoyed music from the amazing Middle Eastern ensemble, Kan Zaman . For most
children, this was the first time they had heard traditional music from the Middle East,
but that did not stop them from dancing throughout the performance. Aqeela Sherrills ,
the veteran peace activist, inspired middle and high school students with his account
of growing up in Watts . He shared his experience as a former gang member and his
eventual decision to dedicate his life to transforming gangs and gang members
from violent and destructive elements of society to constructive and nonviolent
partners in community development. Mr. Sherrills also called upon the students to
engage in a "reverence movement" by employing the skills they have learned in peer
mediation such as compassionate listening and storytelling.
Judge Dorothy Nelson of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Western Justice
Center Foundation's Executive Director, Najeeba Syeed -Miller, honored each school
for their support and contribution to peace building during the event's closing ceremony.
The Peer Mediation Invitational proved to have a profound impact on the youth. One
student expressed that the event gave him "hope for the future," while another felt that
now she could "really change other people's lives." The coaches also shared their
deep gratitude for the opportunity to work with the students. Ashley Andrews, of Loyola
Law School 's Center for Conflict Resolution, exemplified this feeling: "The children
touched my heart and I recognize how necessary mediation skills are to ensure that
these kids succeed currently and in the future." The Peer Mediation Invitational was
organized by the Western Justice Center Foundation in collaboration with Centinela
Youth Services, Asian Pacific American Dispute Resolution Center , and West Angeles
Community Mediation Center . This event could not have been possible without the
tremendous support of our sponsors: Action Dispute Resolution Services, Inc.;
California Pizza Kitchen, Kaiser Permanente, Navigant Consulting, Inc.; and Southern
California Edison. The Peer Mediation Invitational meets an unmet need for students
and schools engaged in conflict resolution programs to network with leaders in the
field, interact with others involved in these programs throughout Los Angeles, deepen
their knowledge of conflict resolution, and feel supported and valued for their dedication
to peace. The PMI is an annual event and will continue to provide these opportunities for
the youth and communities of Los Angeles County .
Contact: Najeeba Syeed -Miller,
Western Justice Center Foundation
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