Recently, the Weekly Beat ran an article and an editorial regarding the Mediation Center of Dutchess County’s Fourth Youth Mediator Summit. Keynote speaker Sergio Argueta’s message to youth regarding the dangers of gang life and the necessity of making lifesaving decisions to stay out of or leave a gang understandably struck a chord with our audience as well as with our community. The crime and violence that gangs engender are a serious issue and one that Dutchess County government, law enforcement, agencies and other organizations have prioritized in terms of prevention and intervention. In regard to the editorial about the Summit and its purpose, I would like to make some clarifications.
First, the title of this year’s summit was “Transforming Conflict, Building Community.” The purpose of the summit is to provide a forum for youth empowerment by bringing youth together to showcase their conflict resolution work. The summit provides an opportunity for them to present the work they are doing in their own communities, as well as network and meet others doing similar conflict resolution work from throughout Dutchess County. The event is intended to show their strength, commitment, creativity and initiative in addressing conflict and its many causes. Transforming Conflict, Building Community’s purpose was much more than solely a focus on gang life, although a community and sense of belonging are one significant reason that youth find gang life appealing. The summit’s theme speaks to the need we all have for community and the role it plays in transforming conflict from negative and destructive to something more positive and constructive.
Second, the summit’s aim is to draw a diverse group of youth who are engaged in conflict resolution work from high academic achievers through those deemed “at risk.” It is a unique opportunity for youth from church groups, schools, after-school programs, leadership councils and other organizations to cross the invisible but very real barrier of difference and learn from each other, united by a common goal of addressing conflict constructively. The diversity of youth, as well as their approaches to conflict resolution, are an inspiration to each other and all of the adults that work with them. Most of all, we believe that with our support, their work with their peers will transform conflicts and make real and lasting changes within their communities.
Last, mediation and conflict resolution skills are some of the most important tools we can equip our children – and ourselves – with. Learning to respect difference, listen well, understand our own emotions, speak our truth respectfully, take accountability and understand another’s perspective are skills that serve all of us well. But conflict resolution and mediation skills in and of themselves cannot adequately address the reasons youth find gangs appealing. The need for community, safety, power and resources draw young people into gangs when these things are lacking in their own lives.
Although the youth summit was not meant to be a gang summit, but rather an event focused on bringing together and celebrating the youth conflict resolution community, there are things that we can learn from it that may be salient to reducing gang involvement. First, given the support and opportunity, youth are capable of identifying and addressing the issues that affect them most. The title of last year’s Juvenile Crime Needs Assessment said it best, “A Community United: Empowering our Youth.” It included the very issues that youth find important and lacking in their lives.
Second, authentic opportunities to implement lessons learned is important. Learning new skills, whether conflict resolution or workplace, is important and need to be combined with a chance to use them.
Third, a sense of belonging in a caring and responsive community is necessary for the well being of all people. Youth need to have that community to support their learning, growth and development.
(Jody B. Miller is the executive director of the Mediation Center of Dutchess County, Inc.)