By Nyasha Size

Working with The Winkler Institute as a PBSC volunteer has been an experience of a lifetime, I feel privileged to have been chosen to be part of the team. It has also been a humbling experience, coming from an Alternative Dispute Resolution background I assumed that I knew a fair amount about Alternative Dispute Resolution, it is safe to safe one should not make assumptions. The database introduced me to areas that I had not previously ventured into. Going through the database initially identifying the broad areas that it covers. I was drawn from several countries I was intrigued by the relationship other countries have with Alternative Dispute Resolution. However, I was also able to get an important introduction to Alternative Dispute Resolution in Ontario through the database and research that we carried out with each project.

Working with my partner Braelyn and supervisor Jean-Paul made the experience exciting and his passion for the project was obvious from the onset. Jean-Paul was a great supervisor who was always encouraging us and always provided great feedback and for this, I am truly thankful.  Braelyn and I were able to combine our strengths and produce multiple graphics while gaining understanding of the database. Teamwork does make the dream work and the constructive feedback from both of us helped us move forward and develop our projects. I was able to see Alternative Dispute Resolution as well as the database differently working with Braelyn.

JP emphasized the importance of making sure that anyone especially those who are not in the legal field understand the graphics so that they can easily access the information, this was challenging at first; however, it helped me understand the database more. By navigating the database base from a non-legal lens one can see how informative it is, community-based dispute resolution, family resolution, education, medical, online dispute resolution.

One article that stood out for me was the one on community-based conflict and how to navigate it and make it accessible to everyone A Toolkit for Developing Community-based Dispute Resolution Processes in First Nations Communities. This article was eye-opening because this was the first time I had to think about conflict in First Nations Communities. This article provided the tools necessary for First Nations as well as other communities to navigate conflict in a way that is respectful. This is information that we turned into a graphic in order to have it accessible to individuals who face conflict in their communities and need to understand more on how to best resolve this conflict.

I have learnt the importance of taking a step back and looking at the information in a way that everyone from all walks of life can understand. It is important to educate people about the resources available t them for the various conflicts that they are facing. I have grown as a person due to this experience and I know I will take the knowledge that I have learnt with me.