One-day course in conflict-resolution offered

WATERVILLE — “Divorces, parenting crises and maybe even wars between nations could be eliminated, if more people learn how to peacefully resolve conflicts,” says internationally renowned psychologist, Dr. Thomas Gordon. Gordon’s organization, Effectiveness Training Inc., one of the world’s largest human relations training firms, is sponsoring a simultaneous, worldwide conflict-resolution training event.

Gordon’s authorized instructors, located in hundreds of cities in 27 different countries, have volunteered to conduct this one-day training free of charge and on the same day, April 28, 1990.

Called “No-Lose, Conflict-Resolution Training,” the course will teach both adults and teen-agers (15 years and older) specific skills to end power struggles, turn arguments into agreements and replace competition with cooperation in all their relationships.

Waterville has been chosen for this first worldwide free training event, taught by Effectiveness Training instructor, Keith Cook, Ed.D., a psychologist who has extensive experience teaching Parent Effectiveness Training, Teacher Effectiveness Training, and Leader Effectiveness for School Administrators in Maine and the northeastern United States.

The worldwide event is the brainchild of Dr. Gordon who designed the training event and whose organization is coordinating the same course in Australia, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, Chile, England, Finland, France, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Jamaica, Korea, Mexico, Madagascar, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad, United States and West Germany.

Firm in their belief that peace between nations will occur sooner when large numbers of people can learn to resolve their conflicts peacefully, Effectiveness Training instructors have waived tuitions for this training as their personal contribution toward creating a more peaceful world.

The training itself is built around his six-step “No-Lose Method” for resolving conflicts between people and groups. Since 1962, well over a million participants in Effectiveness Training courses have learned this systematic way to resolve conflicts.

According to Gordon, the No-Lose method has reduced conflicts between parents and their children, helped teachers change disruptive behaviors in the classroom, strengthened marriages, resolved disputes and increased teamwork in organizations, and decreased rebellious and delinquent behaviors of teen-agers.

In Waterville, the training will be held at the Muskie Center from 8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Advance registration is necessary by calling Dr. Cook at 873-1074.