Type of Organization: Governmental

Home Country: United States

Overview

Under the leadership of the Honorable Robert M. Bell, Chief Judge of the Maryland Court of Appeals, Maryland’s Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office (MACRO) has a diverse, high-level Advisory Board. MACRO is a court-related agency, which serves as an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) resource for the state. MACRO supports innovative dispute resolution programs, and promotes the appropriate use of ADR in every field including education. MACRO works collaboratively with many others across the state to support efforts to advance effective conflict resolution practices in Maryland’s courts, communities, schools, state and local government agencies, criminal and juvenile justice programs and businesses.

In terms of education, MACRO, in conjunction with the Center for Dispute Resolution at the University of Maryland School of Law (C-DRUM) and the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) sponsors a school conflict resolution program. The program, initiated in 2003, awards one-year grants to schools that create conflict resolution programs. More information on the initiative is available here. A summary report on the schools initiative produced in December of 2007 provides a good overview of the important work happening in this area.

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