Introduction Of ADR Methods To Youth Essential

The introduction of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods to youth across the country could secure strengthened conflict-management techniques.

ADR methods such as mediation, restorative justice, conciliation and arbitration are processes and techniques persons can use to settle disputes outside of the courts.

Manager for Youth Services and Administration at the Dispute Resolution Foundation (DRF), Cherrol Taylor, told JIS News that introducing select ADR techniques during the formative years would be beneficial.

“[While young], they quickly develop socially, emotionally, physically and cognitively, so this stage would be the best time to introduce ADR to students between the ages of six and eight. It is time we learn to teach our students how to manage disputes and help to equip them with lifelong tools to deal with everyday issues. That would be a good start,” Mrs. Taylor said.

The Manager also explained that ADR would help young people to better express their emotions.

“I would go further to say our youth should be taught how to properly communicate their feelings without fear. That’s another problem that we’re having, and in order to introduce much-needed culture change, it is ideal to start from the root. Exposing our students to different techniques to manage anger, peer pressure, too, and other areas can introduce that peaceful culture that we really do hope to achieve,” Mrs. Taylor said.

Meanwhile, the DRF Youth Services Manager said many young people are not aware of the many non-violent options to conflict resolution.

“They can’t utilise it because they don’t know that it is available to them. It’s time that we introduce it, and to say you don’t need to always go to the court. There are other routes that you could choose. Mediation is one such way. We don’t even just want to stop at the school, because if we are talking about a culture shift, that extends to our security forces and school officials,” Mrs. Taylor said.

In keeping with the Justice Ministry’s mandate to promote the use of ADR methods, ongoing sensitisation efforts have been taking place islandwide with stakeholders, including police officers.

For more details on the DRF, persons can visit the Justice Ministry’s website at moj.gov.jm.