There are many ways to resolve conflicts—surrendering, running away, overpowering your opponent with violence, filing a lawsuit, etc. The movement toward Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), sometimes referred to as informal dispute resolution, grew out of the belief that there are better options than using violence or going to court. Today, the terms ADR and informal dispute resolution are used somewhat interchangeably and refer to a wide range of processes that encourage nonviolent dispute resolution outside of the traditional court system. The field of conflict resolution also includes efforts in schools and communities to reduce violence and bullying and help young people develop communication and problem-solving skills. Common forms of alternative/ informal dispute resolution include:
Negotiation is a discussion among two or more people with the goal reaching an agreement.
Facilitation is generally considered to be a process in which a neutral person helps a group work together more effectively. Facilitators may work with small groups within an organization, or with representatives of different organizations who are working together in a collaborative or consensus-building process.