ECR

Wow, the ECR is such an awesome tool for conflict resolution. I was a bit wary at first, because as Tim was describing it in his introductory lecture, it seemed so idealistic, with very different people coming together to hold hands and sing Kumbayah. But thinking back to the conflict resolution program we advocated at my legal internship last summer, these alternatives to litigation and continued, unresolved problems have great potential, and when taken advantage of, great results.

That's why it kind of hurt me when Ariel and Julie had such a negative view of the process. Yes things are difficult, and very likely more so when actual stakes and funds are involved, but I don't think anything is ever realized without an ideal. Like Alison mentioned, you set you standards high, not so that they are inmovable, but so that when negotiations come you make both concessions and realize that in truth, you may have more similarities with other stakeholders than what you previously thought.

I definitely think all stakeholders, as equal participants, should also know equally about the subject at hand. The Newcomb residents, for instance, would have had to be informed of the literature that exists regarding the introduction of grey wolves into the Adirondacks, with literature from various outlooks, not just one source backed by another stakeholder, as was the case with the study we had that had been sponsored by Defenders of Wildlife. As Tim's powerpoint mentioned, the body of stakeholders must be able to make their own decisions without being subject to anyone else outside or inside of the ECR; I think this applies to freedom of information as well. A biased influx of information would sway one less knowledgeable stakeholder in the direction that favors whoever sponsored the dissemination of that knowledge, be it somone from inside the ECR or someone outside. This could violate the autonomy of the ECR, especially since these particular conflict resolutions have to do so much with science.

I'm excited thus to look for ECRs in NY, and hopefully do some work with that. I'll definitely be in contact with Vilma regarding that.