THE ISRAELI ACADEMIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE
OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND MEDIATION (ICRM)

Conflicts are an inseparable part of our lives and of the society in which we live. On occasion, such conflicts can lead to extremist positions, hostility and acts of violence. Nonetheless, effective management of conflicts can generate fertile ground for future growth and development, enrichment and cultural variety, and contribute to constructing a basis for tolerance, patience and openness.

The Israeli society is multicultural and divided, located in the heart of a region torn by conflicts. As such, it has a deep need for both a better understanding of the dynamics and characteristics of conflict, as well as ways to manage and resolve such conflicts. We believe the study of interrelationships between conflict and the cultural, social and environmental variables among which it exists is of high importance.

In recent years in Israel we have been witnessing an increasing search for alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods, in a variety of fields – social, economic, legal, etc. Recently, for example, a large number of private bodies have been established to provide mediation services and courses for the training of mediators. Moreover, there has been an increasing trend on the part of courts to refer disputing parties to settle their differences by alternative means to litigation, such as arbitration or mediation. However, to date, only a few studies have investigated the various available methods for conflict resolution, with in-depth focus on interdisciplinary aspects of this issue.

The Israeli Academic Research Institute of Conflict Resolution and Mediation, which operates within the Academic Studies Division of the College of Management, is the first research body in Israel whose goal is the research of conflict resolution methods in general and mediation in particular. The Institute places the utmost importance on theoretical and empirical research into the subject of ADR with emphasis on the concept, language, means of communication and characteristics of the different methods of conflict resolution.

The Israeli Academic Research Institute of Conflict Resolution and Mediation is a pioneer in the field. It is the only body that links academic activity and the practice of conflict resolution and conducts research into their interaction.

The Institute is an interdisciplinary body working with various departments within the College of Management. Its organizational structure is based on the premise that conflict resolution touches various academic disciplines. In this vein, the Institute also encourages cooperation between different bodies, both academic and non-academic from a variety of fields.

In light of the centrality of conflicts within the Israeli experience, the Institute places particular importance on the need to work within society and become involved in communal life. In doing so the Institute intends to offer a unique contribution to the improvement of the social environment both in Israel and the Middle East.

• Encouragement and development of academic research on conflict resolution in Israel. ·
• Development of academic programs on conflict resolution.
• · Promotion of academic activity such as conferences and publications. ·
• Establishment of forums to discuss the subject of conflict resolution from both theoretical and practical perspectives.
• · Incorporation of College of Management students in practical mediation programs, under academic and professional supervision.
• · Strengthening the connection between the College of Management and the community through projects such as community mediation

The Institute will organize conferences and symposia on conflict resolution.

A specialization on "Conflict Resolution" (theory and clinical training) will be introduced in the 2001-2002 academic year as part of the degree program at the Law School. Future plans of the Institute include the introduction of courses for undergraduate and graduate students within the various college departments and training programs for external students.

The Institute will hold periodic "round table" meetings of academics involved in ADR on a variety of conflict resolution related topics.

The Institute will initiate and publish research studies on conflict resolution. Particular emphasis will be placed on Israeli research deriving from and suited to Israeli society focusing on the link between the theory of conflict resolution and practice. Completed studies will be published in books, collections of articles, professional journals etc.

During its initial stage of operation, the Institute will combine existing clinical programs of the Law School – the "Heart in the Law" project, which gives legal aid to the needy, and will use graduates of the Law School mediation courses for practical mediation. At a later stage, The Institute will create and execute a practical mediation project, which will operate in a court or in another communal context. Data gathered from the Project will be used as material for an empirical research study of mediation.

The Institute will establish a library of books, journals and other academic material on conflict resolution and mediation from Israel and abroad. The material will be accessible to the public in a special section in the Law School library.

The Institute will launch a website containing research and practical information on the Institute and the field of conflict resolution in Israel and abroad.

The Institute will establish contacts with parallel research institutes outside Israel and will exchange information with these institutions on research work in the areas of conflict resolution and mediation.

The Institute will act to obtain funding for its operations and for the fulfillment of the aforementioned goals. To this end it will approach foundations, donors, private and governmental bodies etc, both in Israel and abroad.

The College of Management's Academic Studies Division has grown following official accreditation in 1986 by the Israel Council for Higher Education. Enrollment stands at 8,000 and the Division now consists of seven academic units:

• School of Business Administration
  
• School of Law
  
• School of Media Studies
  
• Department of Economics
  
• Department of Behavioral Sciences
  
• Department of Interior Design
  
• Department of Computer Science
  

In addition to these degrees, the Academic Studies Division is the only accredited college in Israel to grant a Masters of Business Administration. With a reputation for quality, the Academic Studies Division is attracting students who regard the reality-based curricula as the springboard for successful integration into professional life. The 10,000 alumni may be found in key positions in many areas of both the private and public sectors of the Israeli market place.

The Academic Studies Division has achieved its growth because of its success in meeting a real need - the desire of young Israelis for a unique curricula that combines professional knowledge with practical application, close ties between faculty and students, and small classes.