Conference report
First of all, this is what I learn from the conference last Wednesday. It is about finding democracy through education. One of the problem facing the United States today is that education is not the core of democracy in US. We need to recognize that education and democracy are interdependant. Professor Allen from the University of Washington mentioned the story of the penguine. Male penguines are taking care of their eggs for two months straight not because they are good fathers. It is because of the culture. Culture can replace genetic code. American culture focuses on right and not responsibility. He also mentioned communication as a big part of democracy. What is democracy if there is no feed back? Since communication plays such an important role in democracy, it must be accurate. That is why we are in school. And by being in school, we learn responsibility. To conclude his speech, professor Allen stated that education is essential to survival and I could not agree more. Professor Tim from HCC continued the topic by asking the question: " Are we (the United States of America) democratic?" The US aspired to be democratic. For that reason, we need to educate people. If you are going to rule yourselves, you better know how to do it. The US is a Republic, which has elements of democracy. True Democracy values everyone. To have democracy, we need to have education. However, there is a big difference between education and schooling eventhough they are interrelated. The society rise and fall with educational system. We no longer need to live by instince, we got to have education to success. Professor Patricia from HCC, the last speaker of the day, also asked a question: " What is the purpose of education?" It was set up to maintain status quote. Education is a two-way process and it requires critical thinking. It is clear that we need education to protect democracy but education would not be democracy if students don't get to influence what is happening in the classroom. American is losing their edge on global economy. We better started "walk the talk" this election year. Find your voice through your vote.
Through the conference, many arts of democracy were mentioned. First and the most obvious is active listening. The audience was encouraging the speaker by listen quitely and attentively.At the end, many relevant questions were asked. In addition, I also noticed the art of political imagination. We reimagine our future as being the world's 3rd largest economy, behind China and India, we reimagine our future generation with extensive knowledge and admiration for sport icons and entertainers instead of scholars if we continue to ignore the importance of education. Other arts of democracy are public dialogue, evaluation and reflection.
On the side note, I really enjoyed the conference. It was interesting, enjoyable and educational. I hope to have the chance to experience it again in the near future.

Mediation
Here is my pre-flection.This week's art of democracy is mediation. Mediation is facilitating interaction to help people in conflict hear each other. Here is the link to media resource on mediation: http://www.sconet.state.oh.us/mediation/success.asp. This article showed how people use mediation to settle issues. In this one, the Supreme Court of Ohio mediated a case in which homeowners believed that the county sewer authority had caused their sewage problem. Fifteen people arrived to negotiate on the morning of the mediation session. The homeowners had had a previous sewage backup corrected and had then renovated their basement so they could entertain friends. They then experienced four sewage backups that ruined the improvements. They wanted the problem fixed, and they also wanted compensation for the damage to their basement. The county officials, on the other hand, claimed that the outlet pipe, running from the house to the street, did not have enough drop. The parties agreed on monetary compensation, who would maintain the pump, and who would maintain the easement over the pump. With this agreement, the parties were able to put to rest four years of disputes and avoid more years of litigation. We all use mediation once in a while. We see mediation in our everyday life as well. For example, I love watching Oprah and she works on mediation quiet often. I also practice this art myself recently. Last week, two of my friends decided to stop talking to each other for some reason. I decided to use mediation and sat them all down so they could work it out. Each of them told their side of the story, their feelings and so on. We talked it through and in the end, they were able to reconcile after listening to the other's point of view and understand it.

Here is my reflection on mediation. Mediation is not necessary a legal binding. A mediator may be able to help achieve certain goal. He or she should be unbiased or has no conflict of interest. It is better to have an unemotional or contained mediator. In addition, the mediator should focus on the issues and may not be liked by one of the party... Always keep in mind that mediation may fail. The process of mediation includes the following steps:1. Hear both sides2. Separate the issues (from the people, from one another...)3. Clarification4. Understanding5. Use logic/ Move from subjective to objective6. Identifying options that lead to solutions.7. Written Contract (for formal mediation)For the mediation to work, the key factors are:- No bribes- One issue at a time-Tell the truth- Both parties trust and/or commit to mediators- Willing to work to a common goal- No yelling/ intercepting- Confidential/ RespectfulDuring the class of AOD, we practiced the art of mediation by acting out. I though it was a helpful exercise because it helps me understand mediation in the everyday-life form. It required lots of effort to make mediation successful but it's not something impossible to achieve.

Application: During the fall quarter in Speech 100, we were working on a project about Safe Cosmetics. It was an all-girl group, so even though we were very supportive of one another, there were time when we have the need to express our own opinions. We are very strong especially when it came to defending our own ideas. So there was a little argument going on between two group members about what we should do to prepare for the mall’s presentation. One side wanted something that can be gross but memorable. The other side said it was better to send a positive message with pretty pictures and happy slogan. Both ideas sounded pretty good to me but we can only pick one. We all sat down and listen to each side’s reason why we should pick their idea. We then separate the issues from the person. As a mediator, I value both sides’ ideas instead of picking my close friends’ ideas over the others. Together, we clarified and try to understand the existed issues. We then came up with different options that can be used to solve the problem of differences .At the end, we agree on a theme that is not very graphical but at the same time, effective and captivating. We worked out our differences and thus, achieve our goal using the skill of mediation.

Negotiation
Here is my pre-flection. I just found an article on negotiation between Iran and the EU. Here is the address to the article: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=75770 .Through the article, I learn that the negotiation was about stopping the atomic project that Iran has been working on. Even though the talk was positive and constructive, it was indecisive in the end. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejah said he is open to negotiation. However, he still criticized the Western's demand to stop Iranian's atomic work. He also added that the Iranian nation will not bend with the international force and pressure. In my understanding, to negotiate is to give up something in order to get what you want. Negotiation is a process. It can take from 5 minutes to 5 years. In addition, negotiation requires lots of effort in order to make it work. It also requires patience, understanding and respect. For example, I was suppose to work on Friday from 5:30 to 9:00. However, someone called sick that day so my boss asked me to fill in. He asked me to work from 5:30 to 10:00. Unfortunately, I can't do it. Therefore, I offered to be there earlier than my schedule and everything worked out quiet well. I got the time I wanted to work and my boss had an easier trying to find a person to fill in the space. However, I still think I could have done something better next time by staying until 9:30, which is the average between my original time and I also used negotiation in school and at home. Negotiation is a part of the communication and we need to communicate to fulfill our own needs.

Here is my reflection on the art of negotiation. First of all, we should negotiate on the merits of the problems. Use principled negotiations such as viewing participants in negotiations as problem solvers. Also, view the goal as achieving a wise outcome efficiently and amicably, not just reaching an agreement or winning. Secondly, separate the people from the problem. We should be soft on the people and hard on the problem. In addition, proceed whether or not you trust your opponent. We should focus on interests not positions. Try exploring one another's interests like what they really want, feel, think or need. Keep in mind this is more than making offers, counter-offers or threats. Avoid fixating on a bottom line. You should invent options for mutual gain by using brainstorming to invent multiple options. Don't judge the options during the brainstorming and decide later which options are best fit your situation. Lastly, use objective criteria. You should focus attention on standards that are independent of the feelings or will of the negotiators. Have some senses by using logic and reasons. Yield to an argument or presentation that is based on reason and principle instead of the one based on pressure. It is helpful to prepare yourself before negotiation. Ask questions like what is your bottom line, what can you afford to give up and what can you not afford to lose. Get to know your BATNA, which is best alternative to a negotiated agreement. The better your BATNA, the greater is your power. Also, think about the other party's BATNA as you go. To ensure a win-win situation, plan the sequence. Also, raise the less contentious issue first. Assess opponent’s objective and identify the common ground. In conclusion, anticipate response and prepare answer.

Application: I often use negotiation, especially with my mom. For example, last week, I was supposed to clean my room. However, I set up a study group with my friend, Sarah to study for the midterm make-up. So I decide to use the art of democracy, negotiation with my mom. I explained to her my reason for not cleaning up the room. Then I asked for her interest. She explained to me why I need to clean up my room and offer what she thought I can do to make it up. In the end, I didn’t have to clean up my room on that Sunday but in return, I have to clean up the fish’s tank all by myself. Well, at least I got what I want and smelling like fish for a few hours wasn’t as bad as it sounds.