Event Recordings | DONATE
↑
President's FORUM. is a series of monthly discussions on timely topics in conflict resolution. All President's FORUM. events are free for ACR-GNY members. Join now!
BECOME A MEMBER
This conversation will explore the cultural heritage practices of the Bette people of Nigeria that have historically helped maintain peace and resolve conflicts within their communities. The Bette, an acephalous society, rely on consensus-building through cultural practices to promote social solidarity, manage disputes, and foster harmony both internally and with neighboring communities. Their practices demonstrate how cultural heritage can be effectively leveraged for conflict resolution and peace-building in indigenous communities while highlighting the importance of preserving and adapting these traditions for contemporary challenges.
The discussion will be moderated by ACR-GNY President Nick Pozek.
Professor Bekeh Utietiang Ukelina is a passionate scholar, educator, and historian specializing in African history, colonialism, post-colonialism, sustainable development, indigenous knowledge systems, and historical memory. His academic journey, culminating in a Doctorate in History from West Virginia University and a Master's in Religion and Culture from the Catholic University of America, has fueled his commitment to understanding and addressing the complexities of Africa's past and present.
Currently a tenured Professor of History and Director of the Center for Gender and Intercultural Studies at the State University of New York, Cortland, Professor Ukelina's influence extends beyond the classroom. He leads the Netzero Sustainable Housing Demonstration Center, a non-profit initiative pioneering sustainable housing solutions in Nigeria and across Africa. This project reflects his deep commitment to addressing climate change through innovative, indigenous approaches, embodying his belief in the power of integrating architectural design, economic viability, and climate resilience.
Professor Ukelina's expertise is sought internationally, and he has traveled to more than fifty countries. As an expert member of the International Scientific Committee on the Interpretation and Presentation of Cultural Heritage Sites and a former ICOMOS World Heritage Panel member, he advocates for inclusivity and challenges Eurocentric perspectives in global heritage conservation. His extensive publications delve into topics ranging from colonial resistance and decolonization politics to the role of heritage in post-conflict peacebuilding and reconciliation.
Driven by a profound dedication to bridging the past with the present to inspire sustainable futures, Professor Ukelina's impact resonates across diverse fields, including history, heritage, architecture, and sustainable development. His work leaves a lasting legacy, both within academia and in practical initiatives designed to tackle global challenges.
Date: Friday, February 21, 2025Time: 12:00 - 1:00pm (Eastern Time)Cost: ACR-GNY Members attend for free; Non-members attend for $20 (scholarships available)
Location: Virtual via ZOOM
Pre-registration is required.
Contact us with questions at questions@acrgny.org.
Conflicts based upon race, religion, immigration status, gender identity, political polarization or other societal differences and events have been polarizing communities throughout the United States. This Roundtable will showcase the important work being done by The Divided Community Project at Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, a national initiative which provides neutral conflict resolution services and systems-design expertise to state and local as well as university leaders to help them prepare for and respond to conflicts. Using a “fishbowl simulation,” the audience will examine how an evolving community conflict challenges a team of local leaders trying to respond to stakeholders with diverging identities and interests. What constructive ADR ideas, principles and tools can mediators/conciliators offer in addressing such challenging complex conflicts?
Carl Smallwood is the Executive Director of the Divided Community Project (DCP). Launched in 2015, DCP is housed in the nation’s #1 ranked Program on Dispute Resolution at the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. DCP is an action-oriented, national initiative that provides neutral conflict resolution services and systems-design expertise to state, local and university leaders to help them prepare for and respond to conflicts based upon race, religion, immigration status, gender identity, political polarization or other societal differences and events that polarize their communities. The goal is to strengthen local capacity to transform division into collaboration. DCP’s direct intervention and consultation services are provided upon request and free of charge to the localities.
Carl chairs the American Bar Association’s Advisory Commission to the Task Force on American Democracy. He is a past president of the Columbus Bar Association and of the National Conference of Bar Presidents. In January, he was recognized with the 2025 NCBP/LexisNexis Rule of Law award.
He has moderated and facilitated programs for large audiences engaged in transformational solution-oriented discussions exploring processes to convene groups across division in troubled times, challenges to democracy and the rule of law, and diversity and inclusion in the legal profession, among other topics.
Carl is a retired partner from Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP, was selected for inclusion in Ohio Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America, and teaches Resolving Community Civil Rights Disputes at Moritz as a Distinguished Practitioner in Residence.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
The Roundtable Breakfasts are online meetings via Zoom. The link will change each month and will be distributed to all registrants the day before and the morning of the event. All listed times for ACR-GNY events are for Eastern Time.
8:00 am – 8:30 am | Join call to network with attendees
8:30 am – 10:00 am | Presentation and Discussion
The Roundtable Breakfasts are organized by ACR-GNY and the CUNY Dispute Resolution Center at John Jay College. They take place the first Thursday of the month and are ongoing since 2001.
Views expressed in connection with any Roundtable event publicity or at sessions are those of the speakers and participants and not of the CUNY DRC or ACR-GNY.
© ACR-GNY
Email us at questions@acrgny.org
ACR-GNY's mission and programming are generously sponsored by:
Discounts on ADR Notable platform available for ACR-GNY members!