Intercultural Communication Institute

Conflict competence is a core dimension of intercultural competence. The ability to recognize and appropriately respond to cultural differences in conflict is critically important in effectively managing and resolving disputes. This workshop uses a variety of learning methods to explore fundamental approaches for resolving conflict across cultural and ethnic differences.

Designed for
Interculturalists and others who need to manage and to facilitate other's management of conflict in cross-cultural situations. Managers and administrators, police and armed service officers, teachers and trainers, and social workers are among those who would benefit from this course.

Recognize cultural differences that “make a difference” in conflict resolution through the lens of the four-quadrant intercultural conflict style (ICS) model and determine their own intercultural conflict style as assessed by the ICS Inventory
Understand the conceptual field of conflict resolution and how conflict differs from other forms of social interaction
Identify direct/indirect strategies and emotionally expressive/restrained approaches for resolving conflicts characteristic of various cultural and ethnic communities throughout the world
Learn core conflict resolution skill sets for effectively bridging across intercultural conflict styles

Learning Activities

Presentation and discussion of traditional and communication-based models of conflict negotiation and mediation
Discussion of key research findings on conflict communication and the impact of stress on conflict escalation and de-escalation
Participation in targeted and realistic, cross-cultural role-play scenarios
Practice in direct- and third-party conflict communication efforts using key intercultural skills
Guest presentations
Completion of the Intercultural Conflict Style (ICS) Inventory

Faculty: Mitchell R. Hammer

Dr. Mitchell R. Hammer is the founder of several organizations that focus on intercultural competence development, conflict resolution, and critical incident management and crisis negotiation and resolution. He is also professor emeritus of International Peace and Conflict Resolution in the School of International Service at the American University in Washington D.C. His work spans a wide range of organizations including private corporations, not-for-profit organizations, state and local law enforcement agencies, and federal agencies, including the NASA Johnson Space Center, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and National Institutes of Health. Mitch constructed the Intercultural Conflict Style (ICS) Inventory, a theoretical model and assessment tool used by mediators, trainers, managers, and counselors to bridge cultural differences in solving problems and resolving disagreements and conflict; co-created the Intercultural Development Inventory, an assessment instrument and process that is used throughout the world to build intercultural competence; and developed the S.A.F.E. model of crisis negotiation used to de-escalate crisis situations (e.g., hostage, barricade, suicide) by federal and local law enforcement agencies, as well as to manage social conflict in medical research testing controversial cancer therapies. His recent book, Saving Lives, presents a comprehensive explanation of the innovative S.A.F.E. approach for resolving crisis situations.