Introduction to Mediation and Conflict Work

We believe that inhabiting and learning to work with conflict skillfully is a vital, lifelong practice that must be recovered and reintegrated into our communities. Across our movements for liberation, we are witness to the detrimental impacts that untended conflict has on our collective capacity for political rigor, effective action, and nurturing healthy relationships. 

Militarism has become entrenched as the default and primary conflict response, from the institution of policing pervading all aspects of our daily lives to the settler-colony of the United States instigating perpetual warfare globally. Additionally, the legal system has been institutionalized as the only legitimate arena to handle acute conflict, and many of our movement groups are caught in the dynamic tension between trying to embody their liberatory values while navigating the limitations of traditional HR systems that their legal structures often bind them to.

Why this training now: 

Many models of liberatory conflict work have long existed in indigenous communities and the Global South, but these practices, like so many others, have increasingly become professionalized, leading to reduction in widespread practice and group confidence. Consequently, people are often being asked or expected to mediate conflict without being equipped with the necessary skills, practice, or support. 

While numerous movement intermediaries, including AORTA, provide skilled conflict tending work, the ongoing need for conflict work and the on-ramp to understanding specific contexts and relationships make relying on movement intermediaries untenable as a long-term solution. Instead of solely relying on external consultants and resources, we believe that the capacity to mediate and tend to conflict well can be cultivated in all groups. 

Who this training is for: 

Whether you're exploring if mediation is a role you want to take on, trying to understand how mediation fits within broader conflict work practice, or are already doing conflict support, this training will equip you with practical approaches and foundational mediation skills to build your confidence and skill set.

The Introduction to Mediation and Conflict Work training shares AORTA's principles of conflict work drawn from nearly two decades of being called in to mediate conflicts with hundreds of different groups across the movement ecosystem. 

In this 3 hour training, we will:

• define conflict and conflict work and explain how mediation fits within a broader framework of conflict work;
• describe AORTA's principles of conflict work through real-world scenarios focusing on common conflict dynamics in movement spaces;
• practice foundational mediation skills including reflection techniques, identifying stakes and self-interests, and surfacing a path forward.

Fall Training Dates and Times

• Wednesday, August 26, 2026, 9am-12pm PT/10am-1pm MT/11am-2pm CT/12-3pm ET
• Wednesday, September 9, 2026, 9am-12pm PT/10am-1pm MT/11am-2pm CT/12-3pm ET
• Tuesday, October 13, 2026, 9am-12pm PT/10am-1pm MT/11am-2pm CT/12-3pm ET
• Wednesday, October 21, 2026, 3-6pm PT/4-7pm MT/5-8pm CT/6-9pm ET
• Wednesday, November 11, 2026, 3-6pm PT/4-7pm MT/5-8pm CT/6-9pm ET
• Wednesday, November 18, 2026, 9am-12pm PT/10am-1pm MT/11am-2pm CT/12-3pm ET

Access information

• Zoom: We will be meeting via Zoom. If you have access to a computer or laptop, we encourage you to join the training by computer to make navigating the materials more easeful. During the training, we will be navigating between two windows: Zoom and a collaborative slide deck. 
• Breaks: In our 3 hour training, we will be taking one 5 minute break and one 15 minute break. This break will be timed on the day of to adapt the needs of the group.
• Captions: We will be offering CART Captioning during the training.
• Breakout rooms: This training includes breakout room interaction with practice exercises. 
• Chat: This training includes use of the chat function in Zoom. Participants will be asked to enter responses in the chat throughout the training.
• Materials: After the training, you will receive the training slide deck and a recording of the training with a transcript. The recording will be available for review for 30 days after the training. 
• Tech and access support: A tech and access support person will be present throughout the training to attend to any emergent participant needs regarding Zoom, the slide deck, and access.

Communications

• After registering you will receive a confirmation email from Eventbrite. Reminder emails will be sent from Eventbrite that include the zoom link and training details. These emails will be sent 7 days, 2 days, and 15 minutes before the training date. A follow-up email will be sent with the recording and training materials within 1 business day of the training. If you have not received any of these communications, please contact us immediately. We are not able to issue refunds or extend access beyond the designated time.

How to choose your rate:

AORTA offers our public trainings at different rates depending on your individual and organizational access to money and wealth. Our sliding scale is an intentional effort to distribute resources equitably between organizations and organizers we work with.

Please reflect on the self assessment linked below to help you consider what rate to pay to attend this workshop.

https://aorta.coop/public-program-rates

Rates* for Individuals (cost is per person):

These rates are for you if you are paying for the training without financial support from an organization.

• Solidarity: $90
• Sustain: $135
• Full Cost: $180
• Redistribution: $270

Rates* for individuals supported by organizations (cost is per person):

These rates are for you if you are a member of an organization that is paying for your participation in the training.

• Solidarity: $325
• Sustain: $575
• Full Cost: $825
• Redistribution: $1075

*Note: The rates above do not include eventbrite fees.

Please note our refund, transfer, and cancellation policy for virtual trainings:

AORTA is a small business that depends on stable revenue from our trainings and offerings. As such, we are not able to make exceptions to our refund policy.

• All of our training fees are non-refundable.
• All registrants will receive a recording of the training.
• You may request a transfer of your ticket to a different date within the training series (e.g. a training in the Spring of a calendar year) if a spot is available at your selected ticket rate. Requests must be made more than 7 business days prior to the training.
• Additionally, you can transfer your registration to a different participant (their name and email address must be shared at least 3 business days prior to the training).
• If AORTA needs to cancel the training (due to unforeseen circumstances, such as the trainer becoming ill), then we will do our best to reschedule the training for a later date. If you are unable to attend at the rescheduled date, or if AORTA is not able to reschedule the training, then you will have the option to be fully refunded, transfer you registration as outlined in 3 and 4 above, or convert your registration fees to a donation to support AORTA’s ongoing work to strengthen movements and organizations working for social justice.