By Mar-Vic Cagurangan
Variety News Staff

THIS year’s peacemaker conference organized by the mediation group Inafa’ Maolek will introduce a new dispute resolution skill called “conflict coaching,” Inafa’ Maolek president Pat Wolff said.
“We hold one major conference every year and each year has a different flavor depending on who the speakers are and what expertise they have,” Wolff said.
Organizers have invited three guest trainers to speak at   the conference, which will be held from Feb. 1 to 3 at the Marriot Hotel.
Alternative dispute resolution is a process of resolving conflicts through mediation without the involvement of the judicial system.
Guest trainer Randy Duque, from Good Shepherd Mediation Program in Philadelphia, will keynote the conference on Feb. 1 with his presentation on conflict coaching, a skill that requires creative, effective and constructive ways to address any conflict situations.
“Conflict coaching is a new skill that will be introduced for the first time on Guam,” Wolff said. “Conflict coaching enables a coach to process the conflict, explore and role play options, and see how the coach may have contributed to the conflict.”
Wolff said this skill set is ideal for managers, paralegal workers, and human resource professionals.
The second day of the conference will have Arlynna Livingston of the Ohana Group Conferencing in Hawaii, who will discuss cases of child abuse and neglect; and Peta Blood from Sydney, Australia, who will tackle strategies for reducing school violence.
The three guest speakers will continue their discussions on Feb. 3, along with a host of speakers and presenters from local and federal courts.
Wolff said over a hundred participants from the Guam Public School System, as well as other government agencies and nonprofit organizations have signed up for the conference, which is open to the public.