BRUCE JOHNSEN’S INTERNATIONAL WORK
Since 1992 I have worked with my associates to prevent, manage and resolve conflict in other countries using collaborative problem-solving, facilitation and mediation processes and skills. Some examples are:
RUSSIA
Starting in 1992, working with our Russian colleagues to establish a degree program at St. Petersburg State University and a local dispute resolution center. St. Petersburg State University now has a department of “Conflictology” which offers both an undergraduate and graduate degree-granting programs; and it coordinates efforts of 22 other Russian colleges to establish similar programs.
POLAND
In 1995, conducting training in collaborative negotiations and cooperative problem solving with the volunteer staff of the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights. The volunteers’ task was to work with various Polish institutions and help in the transition from communist style management to more open and democratic methods. Also the Helsinki Foundation volunteers worked with the Roma and other minority groups to help them in their dealings with national and local government entities.
CUBA
In 1995 and 1996, holding the first of three innovative cultural exchange/training programs at the Insituto Superior De Relaciones Internacionales (The Higher School of Diplomacy) for students ranging from new graduates of the school of diplomacy to seasoned ambassadors between out-of-country assignments. This program was especially effective in its rich exchange of concepts and practices used by negotiators in Cuba and the United States.
HAITI
In 1992, holding meetings with the heads of three national government ministries. All agreed that it would be very helpful to initiate training programs in Haiti in collaborative negotiations and cooperative problem solving. The objective was to develop a cadre of Haitian trainers to continue the training throughout the country and spread the concepts of peaceful and effective problem resultion processes and skills. Unfortunately, serious political unrest prevented further work beyond the initial visit.
COSTA RICA
Beginning in 1996, partnering with the Central American Program for Sustainable Democracy (PROCESOS) in San Jose, Costa Rica to work toward systems change with entities in Central America such as ministries of foreign affairs, human rights agencies, judicial systems, municipal leaders, and organized labor.
GUATEMALA
In 1993 the Guatemala Peace Process was failing in its efforts to end the 30-year civil war. Over a period of two years, from 1993 to 1995, groundwork was laid to make contact with and eventually provide training for the political advisors from the government, negotiators from military, and URNG revolutionary leaders. Interestingly, the training for the rebel leaders was held at a “safe house” in Mexico City, since they were subject to imprisonment or death if found in Guatemala. In 1996, soon after the trainings were completed, a settlement of the Civil War was signed.
ISRAEL
In 2010, meeting with Palestinian and Israeli groups which were working to promote peaceful resolution of the many difficult situations which exist in Israel and the occupied territories.
CODEX ALIMENTARIUS
In 2010 and 2011, mediating and facilitating meetings of CODEX ALIMENTARIUS (created by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)) in Mexico City, Brussels and Beijing. CODEX ALIMENTARIUS sets food standards for the world which are also used by the World Trade Organization in trade disputes.