{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Mediator and Teacher: Julian Portilla","description":"In this episode, we feature a conversation with international mediator Julian Portilla. For the past three years, Julian has been one of the instructors of our successful Winter Term class at the college, \u201cConflict Transformation Skills.\u201d A graduate of Vassar College and George Mason University, Julian works with international organizations and local communities on environmental and social issues. He previously served as director of the Master\u2019s in Mediation program at the Woodbury Institute at Champlain College.   As a practitioner and teacher, Julian discusses both the personal and professional aspects of mediation and conflict transformation. Some of the themes the conversation: the role of family conflict and a bicultural upbringing in fostering perspective-taking skills how to work within diverse groups, not just bridging opposing sides de-escalation and harm reduction as initial steps in transformation the critical role of calm, perspective-taking, and an understanding that conflict can be useful   We mention two resources: 1.      Hector Black is one of the role models we suggest to students. His Moth Radio Hour talk is here. 2.      Paul Wehr and John Paul Lederach\u2019s model of insider and outsider mediators is discussed in their essay, \u201cMediating Conflict in Central America.\u201d Journal of Peace Research, 28:1 (February 1991): 85\u201398. ","author_name":"Opening Up: A Conflict Transformation Podcast","author_url":"http:\/\/sites.libsyn.com\/209063\/site","html":"