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There is nothing new about conflict, violence or the abuse of power. The early decades of the 21st century has not only seen an escalation and proliferation of social and environmental harm, it is also widely understood that these unfolding catastrophes take a disproportionate toll on those who are most disadvantaged economically. Offering some hope is a growing body of research and practice that supports the positive role face to face dialogue and multi stake holder collaboration plays in matters of institutional, social and environmental change. At the same time, in spite of our best intentions to transform these global challenges many of us lack the skills to do so.
The proposed centre addresses this with two inter-related programs. Firstly, the centre offers a range of educational courses and training workshops that focus on collaboration. In particular there is a deep dive into how to work with diverse stakeholders whose goals, values and needs may be different than our own. Acquiring these skills and resources is seen as essential if we are to successfully enter into the turbulent and often uncomfortable emotional experiences that inevitably accompany the journey to making our communities more equitable and whole.
Secondly, the centre serves as a place where facilitators are available to communities who are suffering chronic or acute injustices so they can safely meet with their adversaries, and begin the journey towards trusting, and eventually collarborating with the “other.” For example, the police might meet with members of communities who are angry about policing practices. Or groups passionate about the environment might meet with leaders of multinational corporations who ignore climate change initiatives. Or those advocating for more bike lanes might meet with politicians who wish to prioritize building more highways
The centre assumes all stakeholders deeply believe in the legitimacy of their position. Building engagement of head, heart and hands between adversaries is seen as a long term process fundamental to unpacking the difficult issues of transformation that underpin and allow democracies to flourish. The rooms of the centre can be used for either training or multi stakeholder conflict resolution sessions. Additionally, rooms can be used by the community for small scale concerts and meetings where ever there are tangled or unproductive relationships the centre offers classes, in person training and facilitation.
The proposed conflict and resolution center sits in the healing and research neighbourhood of downtown Toronto, an area of potential academic and ethical debates. But in this building where blocks of rooms are stacked and staggered to build answers and remedies, still somewhat treasured in a rectangular box . The rooms break away from the conventional x and y axis planning due to its geometrically perfect site boundary; rotating to neglect a “face” or “entrance” of a meeting room. The meeting rooms start to shed their skin, revealing its occupants thru a visual cue from one spot to the next. The rooms share the same treatment: every block can build to an answer
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