The views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Breaking Belize News.
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Practice in Belize
Contributed by Ewart Robateau, MSCM: This article has been updated from its first publication in the Amandala Newspaper during the mid-2000’s on the need for legislation and the practice of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Belize. At that time Belize was lagging behind three leading Caribbean nations in the practice and passing of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Legislation, namely Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados. ADR practice and legislation contributes significantly to the reduction of crime and can help to resolve all manner of disputes and conflicts including interpersonal, intergroup, interoffice, interagency, and also international conflicts.
ADR, practice includes constructive conflict management and resolution, negotiation techniques, mediation, arbitration and other new developing concepts. In the mid- 2000’s Belize was lagging behind most of the territories in the region and had not developed an ADR culture but since is slowly gaining ground on such practices.
The late and past Hon. Chief Justice of Belize Dr. Abdulai O. Conteh who served Belize between 2000 – 2010 said he read the article and saw the value and need to introduce ADR in the court system and developed a court-connected mediation rules along with the training of a cadre of mediators and arbitrators as a means to lessen court case overload. Belize’s current Hon Chief Justice Mde. Louise Esther Blenman followed up with establishing the National Alternative Resolution Committee (NADRC) 2024.
Comprehensive legislation is still needed to further develop a culture of ADR thus providing alternative and non-traditional ways of addressing all manner of conflicts in Belize. Some existing programs in Belize which has shown limited success that can also benefit through various ADR processes are Restore Belize, Youth for the Future and the Leadership Intervention Program. Two processes of high value that have not been tried are “Restorative Justice” and “Community Justice”. More than that though, Belize needs a comprehensive “Peace Initiative” to stop the violence on its streets.
Both the University of Belize and the Ministry of Public Service & Governance and Disaster Risk Management has also taken the initiative to introduce ADR training to their students and workers. UB teaches a course in Conflict Management to its Public Sector Management students and the Ministry conducts a course in Conflict Management & Resolution for its Clerical and Secretarial Promotional Programme.
ADR legislation and practice in Belize is important for the settling of any and all types of disputes including territorial and international disputes. In Latin America and Africa, international mediation and arbitration played a key role in settling of some revolutions and civil wars in those areas. This was done through negotiations, mediation, arbitration and the establishment of Peace processes including but not limited to the allowing of amnesty and Truth and Reconciliation Commissions. Belize, having avoided these violent wars, is now faced with unprecedented criminal violence, which in its own right is an undeclared war.
Though it should be considered important, ADR alone through the use of negotiation, mediation, arbitration and other processes will not resolve all the country’s problems but can contribute significantly in reducing them. Belize will also need to consider accompanying social, political and economic reforms. ADR practice and legislation will lead to progressive, constructive and creative ways of engaging and managing the nation’s conflicts. It can help to reduce the violence and increase efficiency and productivity. ADR Legislation would promote the practice and lead to increased training of Belizeans, thereby developing a conflict management culture.
Ewart Robateau holds a Masters of Science in Conflict Management from Kennsaw State University in Georgia, USA.
The post Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Practice in Belize appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
The views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Breaking Belize News. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Practice in Belize Contributed by Ewart Robateau, MSCM: This article has been updated from its first publication in the Amandala Newspaper during the mid-2000’s on the need for legislation and the practice
The post Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Practice in Belize appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
