CPR News

摘要

A recent New York symposium explored the state of diversity in business conflict resolution, and examined how diversity should be assessed. The International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution was one of half a dozen co-sponsors of the New York Law School event, ADR and Diversity, which was held on Jan. 31. The program consisted of two panels surrounded by an interactive session that was spread out before and after breakout groups. One of the panels, focused on diversity and the in-house law department, was moderated by CPR Institute President and CEO Noah Hanft, and featured two panelists active in CPR activities. The keynoter preceding the programs was Chirlane McCray, New York City's First Lady-a close adviser to her husband, Mayor Bill de Blasio, and a mental health advocate. NYLS Law School Prof. F. Peter Phillips, who organized the event, introduced the speakers, starting with the school's dean and president, Anthony Crowell. McCray opened by noting that she was "a little surprised" to be addressing alternative dispute resolution professionals. "I don't have insights into arbitration," she laughed. But McCray quickly noted that providing background on her advocacy work could provide transferable information for ADR professionals seeking to increase the representation of diverse and minority participants in the field. "Fundamentally [changing] the field of ADR is no small task," she said, "but serving all the people [using the services in doing so] is admirable." She urged examining current structures to set and achieve new goals. McCray said she had heard excuses about a lack of diversity frequently, with her bosses and industry officials saying that they were "committed to candidates of color but there weren't enough qualified to work at this level." The setting she described was the publishing industry in the 1970s, where she entered the workforce. McCray said her response was to start a professional group in New York, Black Women in Publishing. McCray worked for Redbook and had written for Essence.