Benjamin Cook
Co-Founder
Walking Distance
Ben Cook is the co-founder of Walking Distance, a nonprofit focused on environmental dispute resolution. Previously, Ben was a tenured law professor and taught courses on negotiation, mediation, and conflict resolution. He directed study abroad peacebuilding programs in Rwanda and Uganda, and he co-directed a program in Jerusalem focused on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Ben has extensive teaching and training experience around the world. He trained as a mediator through the Harvard Mediation Program, and taught negotiation at the Harvard Negotiation Institute. He is co-author of the book Advanced Negotiation and Mediation: Concepts, Skills, and Exercises. Ben has a juris doctorate degree from Georgetown University, and he earned master’s degrees in international development and comparative education, and a bachelor’s degree in English, magna cum laude.
Session(s):
Escaping the Charging Gorilla: How to More Effectively Resolve Conflict at Work, Home… and Just about Anywhere! »
2024 Spring Conference, May 9, 2024 9:30 amIn conflict, whether dealing with an angry member of the public, a co-worker, or a family member or friend, we too often act in ways that invite more of the behavior in others we dislike and wish would stop. This workshop will explore this unhelpful tendency and provide tools for more effectively engaging with others and resolving conflict.
Creating Space for “We”: How to Change Minds, Resolve Conflict, and Find Peace in Troubled Times »
2024 Spring Conference, May 9, 2024 8:20 amThe over-abundance of conflict in the world and our inability to navigate it effectively is shaping up to be one of the most challenging threats to our personal and collective well-being. Figuring out how to better get along is critical, whether it’s in the workplace, at home, or on the local, national and international levels. While there are no easy solutions, there are some simple things we can do to improve our ability to understand and connect with others, and each of us doing our part can make a significant positive step toward peace.
= Keynote
