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Curriculum VitaeAlex GrzybowskiProfessional Profile Alex Grzybowski provides mediation, facilitation, process design and training services to assist in multi-party dispute resolution, strategic planning and partnership development in the public and private sectors. Mr. Grzybowski has spent the last 20 years assisting Governments, Corporations and Non-government Organizations in finding mutually acceptable and constructive ways to address land use, water and related resource and environmental conflicts in Canada and internationally.
In Canada, Mr. Grzybowski has designed and mediated negotiations relating to land use, watershed management and water allocation, forestry, tourism, agriculture, mining, oil and gas, fisheries, private land management, environmental conservation and aboriginal people’s rights. He has successfully mediated many highly conflicted land use and resource management issues across the province of BC. He has facilitated government to government negotiations between all levels of government in Canada, including protocols between the Province of BC and various Aboriginal Nations, as well as negotiations amongst Aboriginal Nations regarding overlapping concerns. He has facilitated innovative partnerships between traditional adversaries such as environmental groups and forest companies, and opposing recreation users groups. He was recently retained by a coalition of 13 Aboriginal Nations to facilitate a discussion between them and 5 environmental groups in an effort to prevent conflict over marine resource use and conservation.
Internationally, Mr. Grzybowski has participated in a wide range of conflict management and peace building projects in Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Latin America, Africa, the South Pacific and the Middle East focused on institutional development and capacity building as well as specific issues in need of resolution. He is currently one of 7 members of the United Nations Mediation Support Unit Mediation Standby Team with specific emphasis on water related issues. In this capacity he is currently assigned to provide mediation support to Central Asian countries (Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan) on water and related energy issues and negotiations between the Interim Government in Fiji and Political Parties on the basis for a return to civilian government in Fiji. He recently facilitated negotiations between Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam regarding the permanent location of the Mekong River Commission headquarters as well as implementation procedures for the Mekong Treaty. He provided facilitation and mediation support to a land use plan negotiation between Thai government agencies, NGOs and impoverished villagers who were encroaching on National Parks in Northeast Thailand. He has delivered applied conflict management and negotiation training to human rights organizations, non-government organizations, police, and a wide range of National and local government agencies in most of the regions that he has worked in. He provides coaching and mentorship to facilitators from many parts of the world including Africa, Australia, and Europe. In Venezuela, he facilitated a community health and sustainable mining partnership between Placer Dome, local indigenous peoples and communities, three levels of Government, the military and a US foundation. In Brazil, he was retained to provide training and advice to a municipal government in Sao Paulo to help build capacity to manage the impacts of illegal settlement within the reservoir watershed that provides domestic water supplies to Sao Paulo. In Jordan and the Nile Basin, he was retained to train transboundary water treaty negotiators on the application of interest based negotiation and international water law to treaty negotiations. He recently helped representatives of Canada and Iraq to negotiate the parameters for further Canadian Aid to reconstruction efforts in the Iraqi Marshlands.
Mr. Grzybowski is routinely retained to support dispute resolution and decision making in a wide range of circumstances by mediating negotiations, training negotiators and facilitating strategic planning for dispute prevention. Mr. Grzybowski, brings together a broad range of practical experience with the prevention and resolution of highly conflicted disputes and the development of innovative partnerships to provide ongoing support to parties in their efforts to create new and more mutually beneficial relationships.
Mr. Grzybowski holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in natural resource management and planning. He has been successfully facilitating agreements to resolve natural resource management issues internationally and within Canada for the past 20 years. His track record for assisting parties in finding common ground and building agreements is that the vast majority of his assignments result in an agreement.
Summary of Qualifications
Current/Recent Positions
Employment History
1995 - pres. Independent Mediator and Facilitator. Providing mediation, facilitation, and dispute resolution training services in Canada and abroad. 1991 - 1995 Associate, Commission on Resources and Environment, British Columbia Provincial Government, Victoria, British Columbia. Responsible for convening and facilitating large scale multi-party land use negotiations. 1989 - 1991 Director & Manager, Sustainable Development Branch, Ministry of Tourism, British Columbia Provincial Government.
University Education and Research
Recent Publications
SCHEDULE “A” Selected Mediation and Facilitation Projects and Training Sessions Delivered
International UN Mediation Standby Team (November 08 ongoing). Selected by UN department of Political Affaires as one of 7 members of a Standby team with a focus on water issues related to international peace negotiations and diplomatic effort to prevent violent conflict. Currently assigned to assist:
Negotiation of the Permanent Location of the Mekong River Commission (February – March 2008). Retained by the MRC secretariat to facilitated negotiations between representatives of Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam regarding the permanent location of the MRC. These services involved drafting the report of the sub-committee mandated to develop recommendations on the issue for the governing bodies of the MRC.
Negotiation Skills, International Water Law and Strategic Scenario Development – Training for Water Treaty Negotiators in the Nile Basin (December 07). Retained by the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization and the Nile Basin Secretariat to provide training in Negotiation and Mediation skills to 40 representatives of Nile basin countries. The six day program also incorporated relevant aspects of international water law and strategic scenario development to enhance the capacity of negotiations to produce durable agreements that reflect international legal standards while also stimulating mutually beneficial economic arrangements for the countries that are party to the agreement.
Application Of International Water Law to Multilateral Water Treaty Negotiations – Training for Water Treaty Negotiators in the Kingdom of Jordan. (June 07) Retained by the German aid organization, BGR, to provide training on the relevance and potential applications of international water law to water treaty negotiations underway between Jordan, Syria, Israel and Saudi Arabia to Jordanian negotiators, legal advisors and other senior officials.
Training for parties involved in Indigenous Land Use Agreement Negotiations in South Australia (April 2007). Alex Grzybowski and Daniel Johnston delivered negotiation training to representatives of the South Australian Government, Aboriginal People, and representatives of the Mining sector. Alex Grzybowski subsequently delivered a follow up training with legal council from the Native Title unit of the Attorney Generals Ministry.
Strategic Plan For Canadian Governance Assistance to the Iraqi Marshlands (September 06). The Iraqi marshlands were substantially drained and poisoned by the previous regime in Iraq resulting in the devastation of the marshland ecosystems and the Marshland Arab communities that depend upon them. Subsequent assistance from Canada and other Nations has supported restoration of the marshlands and the marshland communities. Further restoration work is required particularly in the area of governance. Alex Grzybowski along with several other Canadian experts was retained by CIDA to meet with 75 Iraqi officials in Amman Jordan to develop a strategy for Canadian support in the governance area. This 4 day session generated a consensus based plan for Canadian investment in governance in the region. Alex Grzybowski played an instrumental role in facilitating the development of the plan along with several other Canadian facilitators and governance experts. Negotiation Training for Nile Basin Countries (January to March 2006). The Nile basin countries are in the process of negotiating a treaty to share the waters and benefits of the Nile. Alex Grzybowski was retained along with two colleagues from the University of British Columbia to design and deliver a negotiation training program that would assist the parties in their negotiation. The training was delivered in Burundi in February of 2006 to over 36 representatives of 10 countries. Feedback on the relevance and value of the training from the participants and the sponsors was overwhelmingly positive. Philippines Economic and Environmental Management Project Review (August - December 2005). Alex Grzybowski was retained to review progress with implementation of this bilateral project of the Government of the Philippines (GOP) and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Mr. Grzybowski convened and led a Review Team which involved representatives of the GOP, CIDA, and the project implementation agencies. The Team implemented a collaborative process that engaged a wide range of project stakeholders in an assessment of what the project has achieved and what the stakeholders and implementing agencies need to do in order to sustain the results. The consensus recommendations of the Review outlined practical measures that can be undertaken both locally and nationally to reinforce the successes of the project. Mekong River Commission Procedures Facilitation (December 2002 to September 2003). Alex Grzybowski was retained by the Mekong River Commission Secretariat to facilitate negotiations between representatives of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam to develop procedures for data and information exchange and procedures for notification, prior consultation and agreement. These procedures were finalized in December of 2003. Mr. Grzybowski also assisted with coordination of the process team that provided the negotiations with technical support and international legal advice. ASEAN Nations Mediation Training (January to March 2001). Khon Kaen University Institute for Dispute Resolution hosted a mediation training for individuals involved in conflict prevention and resolution across the ASEAN Nations. Alex Grzybowski was retained along with Daniel Johnston to design and lead the training program which involved 50 practitioners from 7 countries. Community Sustainability and Mining in Southeastern Venezuela (March and April 2000). With support from Business Partners for Development, Placerdome Inc. engaged in consensus building and partnership development at the community level near their Las Cristinas mine site in southeastern Venezuela. Key elements of the partnership included improvements to health care services and facilities, domestic water supply in local communities and relations with the small scale mining operators. Alex Grzybowski was retained to provide facilitation and training to support the negotiation of these partnership arrangements which resulted in: construction of a small hospital, improvements to local water systems, delivery of community health education, and collaborative work between Placerdome and the small scale miners. The negotiations resulted in agreements involving 7 aboriginal and criollio communities, 3 levels of government, the military, a US based Foundation and Placerdome. Tri-Sector Partnership Training Program (November 1999 to June 2000). Business Partners for Development is a consortium on international organizations dedicated to fostering constructive partnerships between civil society, governments and mining and oil and gas companies (BPD includes CARE, UK Aid, World Bank, several Mining and Oil and Gas Companies). Alex Grzybowski was retained by BPD along with several colleagues to assist with the development and delivery of a partnership training program to enhance the capacity of potential partners to build and maintain partnerships. This is a clinic based program that delivers assessment, consultation, consensus building, and management skills in the field. Nam Chuen Watershed Planning Project – Thailand (1997 and 1998). This strategic planning process involved multi-stakeholder negotiations and consensus building to develop an integrated natural resources and environmental plan for the Nam Chuen watershed in northeast Thailand. Primary issues included forest encroachment and degradation, lack of land title and poverty. Alex Grzybowski was retained by the CIDA NREM project to provide facilitation support and technical planning advice to the process in collaboration with a Thai consulting team. Consensus on the plan was developed in September 98. Southeast Asia Forum for Peaceful Conflict Management (1999). This Forum is a network of conflict management practitioners from eight southeast Asian countries that are committed to working together to increase their capacity to facilitate the peaceful prevention and resolution of conflicts in their countries and in the region. In collaboration with the Khon Kaen Institute for Dispute Resolution in Thailand, and the University of Victoria Institute for Dispute Resolution in Canada, Alex Grzybowski convened the Forum and provided facilitation support for the discussions at the convening conference in September 1999. Salween Basin Planning Initiative (September 1999). The Salaween river flows from Tibet and Yunan province in China, through Myanmar and Thailand and then into the Andaman sea. Alex Grzybowski was retained to facilitate workshop discussions amongst water resource experts from all three countries and United Nations water resource agencies on the prospects for collaborative management of the Salaween basin. The workshop participants developed consensus on a vision for the basin and an action plan for future collaboration. Myanmar - Thailand Natural Gas Pipeline (1999). A consortium of Royal Thai Government Energy Agencies and private Corporations constructed a natural gas pipeline from the coast of Myanmar to Thailand to deliver gas to a new gas plant in Thailand. Construction of the pipeline raised a number of issues including allegations of human rights abuses in Myanmar, environmental impacts at various locations, and local community impacts within Thailand. Protests against the completion of the pipeline were staged in Thailand. In an effort to initiate a collaborative effort to resolve key issues in Thailand a representative of the Thai Senate requested that the Khon Kaen Institute for Dispute Resolution meet with the various parties. The Director of the Institute retained Alex Grzybowski to join the mediation team to provide strategic advice and support. The Petroleum Authority of Thailand subsequently contracted the Team to convene a cooperative negotiation process amongst all parties. Khon Kaen Institute For Dispute Resolution (1995 to 2000). In response to the growing need for alternative dispute resolution capacity and institutions in Thailand, Khon Kaen University initiated an institutional development program aimed at establishing an Institute for Dispute Resolution. CIDA provided initial funding for the initiative which involved the B.C. Commission on Resources and Environment, the University of Victoria Institute for Dispute Resolution, Pacific Resolutions, and the International Ombudsman Institute. Alex Grzybowski participated on the Canadian team on behalf of Pacific Resolutions and the Commission. After the initial CIDA sponsored activities Mr. Grzybowski continued to work with the Khon Kaen Institute for Dispute Resolution on a wide range of projects funded by local as well as multilateral agencies. CIDA Natural Resources and Environmental Management Project (May 1996 to July 1999). The NREM project aimed to build the capacity of Royal Thai Government Agencies responsible for Natural Resources and the Environment to deliver sustainable management of natural resources. Key projects that Alex Grzybowski played a lead role in delivering on behalf of NREM included:
Cambodia Center for Conflict Resolution (1995 to 1996). In response to the growing need for alternative dispute resolution capacity and institutions in Cambodia, the Cambodia Development Research Institute initiated an institutional development program aimed at establishing an independent conflict resolution center. CIDA provided initial funding for the initiative which involved the B.C. Commission on Resources and Environment, the University of Victoria Institute for Dispute Resolution, Pacific Resolutions, and the International Ombudsman Institute. Alex Grzybowski participated on the Canadian team on behalf of Pacific Resolutions and the Commission. After the initial CIDA sponsored activities Mr. Grzybowski continued to work with CDRI and the newly formed center to develop a strategic plan for the new organization and to develop and deliver training programs. Urban Land and Water Use Conflicts in Sao Paulo Brasil (January 1999 to October 2001 and June to September 2003). Over 1,000,000 people are currently living within a watershed that provides domestic water supplies for greater Sao Paulo. Many of the settlements within the watershed are impoverished squatter communities and all of them are in conflict with the governing legal and regulatory framework which is oriented towards protecting the quality of water in the watershed. Alex Grzybowski was retained to provide training and advice on cooperative approaches to reducing the impacts on water quality from the settlements. He was subsequently retained to provide facilitation support to multi-party discussions on a new land law that would both legalize currently illegal settlements and facilitate relocations to reduce water quality impacts and health and safety risks for communities. CIDA - Philippines Canada Environmental Management Project Evaluation (1999). Alex Grzybowski was retained with Stephen Owen to assess the progress of the PCEEM project in Cebu and Davao. The PCEEM project’s overall goal was to strengthen and enhance the capacity of Metro-Cebu and Davao City to adopt innovative government, industry and local governance systems to address natural resource management problems affecting their watershed ecosystems. The evaluation engaged key project stakeholders in development of the assessment results including recommendations for improvement. These recommendations were subsequently implemented resulting in substantial improvements in the future success of the project. Southeast Asia Energy Project (1996). Khon Kaen University Institute for Dispute Resolution was retained by the Thai Government to facilitate discussions between officials from Thailand, Laos and Cambodia on energy issues. Alex Grzybowski was retained by the Institute to facilitate the discussions and to assist with the design and delivery of the process. Parliamentary and Cabinet Briefings - Papua New Guinea (1997). In the 1990s the World Bank was implementing a Structural Adjustment Program in PNG. The program included multilateral financing and a wide range of long-term policy initiatives aimed at restructuring the economy of PNG. Alex Grzybowski was retained by the World Bank to assist the Secretary of Finance with the development of a series of presentations for the recently elected Parliament and the new Cabinet detailing key aspects of the Structural Adjustment Program including proposed strategic priorities for the future. The presentations were a resounding success in terms of communicating structural adjustment priorities from the perspective of the Ministry of Finance officials. North American Council on Environmental Cooperation (October 1998 to April 1999). Under the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation, Factual Records can be prepared to investigate the effectiveness of the environmental law enforcement practices of the countries that are signatory to the Agreement (Canada, U.S.A. and Mexico). Alex Grzybowski was retained to assist the Commission secretariat with the preparation of a Factual Record on allegations that the Canadian Fisheries Act has not been effectively enforced in cases where a provincial Hydro Corporation has allegedly violated the Act. This investigation required consultation with representatives of Canada, the Provincial Government, the submitting parties, experts in the field, the Hydro Corporation and other relevant stakeholders.
Domestic Accommodation Agreement between Plutonic Power Corporation and Homalko Nation. (April 09 ongoing). Retained to provide facilitation and mediation support to negotiations between Plutonic Power Corporation and the Homalko Nation on partnership arrangements regarding development of a large hydroelectric project (4 billion dollar) on the coast of BC. Coastal First Nations Dialogue with Environmental Groups. (Aug Sept 08). Alex Grzybowski was retained by a coalition of 13 First Nations on the north and central coast and 5 Environmental groups and the George and Betty Moore Foundation to facilitate discussions aimed at proactively preventing conflicts that could arise between FNs and ENGOs in the context of their marine planning efforts. Ecosystem Based Management Working Group Director. (July 07 ongoing). Alex Grzybowski was retained by the Provincial Government and multiple coastal First Nations (Aboriginal peoples) to facilitate and lead a team of representatives of provincial agencies, First Nations, Environmental Groups, communities, and forest companies mandated to provide information and recommendations on the implementation of EBM on the central and north coast of British Columbia (“Great Bear Rainforest”). Bella Coola Helisports and First Nations Protocol Arrangements. (June 07 ongoing). Alex Grzybowski was retained by Bella Coola Helisports to lead negotiations of protocol arrangements including revenue sharing arrangements between the company and 7 First Nation’s whose territories the company operates within. Integrated Land Management Bureau and Hupacasath First Nation Protocol and Issue Resolution Process. (December 06 to March 07) Alex Grzybowski was retained by both ILMB and the Hupacasath Nation to facilitate negotiation of the terms of a Protocol for effective working relations between the Nation and the agency and the steps in a pragmatic process for resolving critical land and resource use issues. The Protocol terms have been agreed to as have the steps in the process. Integrated Land Management Bureau and Wet’suwet’en First Nation Consultation Framework. (December 06 to March 07). Alex Grzybowski was retained by ILMB and the Wet’suwet’en Nation to facilitate negotiation of a mutually acceptable process for fulfilling the legal obligations related to Aboriginal Rights and Title which may be affected by decisions taken under the provincial Land Act. The process has been agreed to at the negotiator level and is now undergoing further internal review. Ministry of Forests Administrative Staff Team Building and Conflict Prevention. (March 07). Alex Grzybowski was retained to provide conflict prevention training and team building support to administrative support staff that were encountering challenges in working together. The process has yielded very positive results according to the staff managers. Province of BC Consultations with First Nations regarding Landfills. (February to March 2006). Alex Grzybowski was retained to facilitate consultations between the Ministry of Environment and the Haisla, the Kitsumkalum, the Kitselas, and the House of Spookw regarding the siting and expansion of landfills in the vicinity of Terrace and Hazelton. Many of the participating First Nations representatives and the provincial staff responsible for the process indicated their strong endorsement for how this process was facilitated. East Kootenay Strategic Trench Plan Scoping. (February to March 2006). Alex Grzybowski was retained by the Integrated Land Management Bureau to assist conflicted recreation stakeholder groups in developing agreed upon recommendations for coordinating planning initiatives in the Rocky Mountain Trench in the East Kootenay. The stakeholders reached agreement on the recommendations after 2 months of negotiations. Fish Camps Operators - Out of Court Settlement. (April 2005 to December 2005). Alex Grzybowski was retained to facilitate an agreement between various fish camp operators and the provincial government regarding issues associated with sale of lease lands and outstanding arrears as an alternative to further litigation between the parties. The parties reached agreement on a settlement package. Okanagan Reservoir Lakes. Alex Grzybowski was retained to provide facilitation support to the resolution of issues associated with the conversion of recreational leaseholds to private lands on high elevation reservoir lakes in the Okanagan. The St’át’imc Province Protocol Table. (November 2004 to Sept 2007). Alex Grzybowski was retained by the St’át’imc Nation and the Province of BC to provide facilitation and mediation assistance to their negotiations on an ongoing basis starting in November 2004. During his term as facilitator he facilitated and mediated many specific agreements at the table as well providing general facilitation support to the process. The parties reached agreement in principle on a Milestone Agreement in April 2007 that addresses land use issues, ongoing collaborative decision making and economic development and budget issues. Cranbrook Recreation Management Strategy (November 2004 to March 2005). Increased use of ATVs and snowmobiles to access backcountry recreation areas has resulted in conflicts between users and impacts on the local environment in the east Kootenay. In 2004 these conflicts escalated into public campaigns and demonstrations that undermined the Provincial Government’s capacity to finalize a recreation management strategy for the area. Alex Grzybowski was retained by the Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management to mediate negotiations between more than 30 representatives of conflicting recreation and environmental interests and other affected land users. After three months of intensive negotiation and mediation all parties agreed to a recreation management strategy for the area which resolved a number of highly contentious issues including conflicts between motorized and non-motorized users, impacts on alpine and grassland ecosystems and maintenance of wildlife habitats. The recreation management strategy includes objectives and strategies that separate incompatible uses and reduce impacts on sensitive ecosystems as well as establishing an initial set of Best Management Practices for recreation in the region. The stakeholder agreement was subsequently adopted into a provincial government recreation plan for the area. British Columbia Pacific Salmon Forum. (March 2005). Alex Grzybowski was retained by the Forum to facilitate the development of a strategic plan to achieve the Forum’s mandate including workshop facilitation and pre-workshop consultation with each of the Forum members. Joint Use Agreements between Tourism Operations (Sept 2004 to April 2005). Expansion of backcountry tourism operations in all regions of the province of BC is resulting in increasing conflicts between different types of tourism activities. Operators are required to develop joint use agreements to increase compatibility and sustainability where operations overlap. Alex Grzybowski was retained to mediate joint use agreements between highly conflicted heli-ski and a backcountry ski operations in Golden (September – November, 2004), snowmobile operations in Revelstoke (December 2004 – January 2005), and between heli-ski companies a cat-ski operation a hunting guide operation and 7 snowmobile operations in the Whistler area (December 2004 to December 2005). Each of these negotiation processes resulted in agreements. Valemount to Blue River Sustainable Resource Management Plan. (September 2003 to March 2004). Heli-skiers and snowmobilers are increasingly coming into conflict in the mountains of British Columbia as a result of improved access and technological improvements to snowmobiles. Both activities support substantial business investments and opportunities, as well as millions of dollars in local and provincial economic benefit. The conflicts between the activities undermine the quality of these different recreational experiences and threaten the sustainability of the related businesses and economy. These conflicts have been severe in the Blue River and Valemount area. The Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management retained Alex Grzybowski to mediate discussions between two major heli-ski operators in this region (Canadian Mountain Holidays and Mike Wiegele Heliskiing) and representatives of snowmobilers from Valemount. The mediation resulted in a comprehensive agreement between the parties which provides for spatial separation of the activities and joint investment in a community development corporation to help develop and manage snowmobiling in the Valemount area. The agreement was rolled into a draft Provincial Sustainable Resource Management Plan (SRMP) and presented to the public and First Nations for review and feedback. The SRMP was revised and finalized based on the feedback. Alex Grzybowski assisted with the drafting of the SRMP and liaison with the agreement stakeholders to ensure that the SRMP was revised in a manner that both reflected feedback and still maintained their support and consensus. Coastal First Nations Land Use Plan Integration Scoping. (April 2004). The Coastal First Nations (formally Turning Point) retained Alex Grzybowski to facilitate development of an approach to reconciling the overlapping land use plans of five of the Nations involved in the organization. During a two day discussion facilitated by Alex Grzybowski representatives of each of the five Nations identified the areas within their land use plans where differences would have to be resolved and agreed on the principles and key process elements that would guide them towards this resolution. Land and Resource Management Planning Processes. (1997 to 2003). LRMP processes are multi-party negotiation processes that address land use issues over large areas of British Columbia. The issues are complex, involving environmental, social and economic variables such as protecting biodiversity and wilderness, while maintaining community stability and economic development opportunities. Alex Grzybowski has provided facilitation, mediation and training services to assist parties in resolving these issues by agreement in several LRMP’s including the Okanagan Shuswap, the Central Coast, and Lillooet. The Okanagan Shuswap process reached agreement on their LRMP recommendations in September 2000. The Central Coast Table reached Agreement on an interim plan in March 2001, which resulted in suspension of an international market campaign against coastal forest products from BC, and creation of several protected Areas – notably the Spirit Bear PA. Subsequent negotiations, also supported by Alex Grzybowski and Daniel Johnston resulted in a long-term plan for the coast. The Lillooet LRMP parties moved into a mediation process and ultimately an options approach based on “final offer selection”. Options were presented to the provincial government in March of 2001. Joint Solutions Project. Private Sector/ENGO Negotiations. (June 2000 to January 2004). Five forest companies (Weyerhaeuser, Norske Canada, Western Forest Products, Canfor and Interfor) and four Environmental groups (Greenpeace, Sierra Club, Rainforest Action Network and Forestethics) are undertaking a joint initiative (the Joint Solutions Project) to support the development and implementation of ecosystem based management and planning on the central and north coast of British Columbia. Alex Grzybowski was retained by the companies and ENGO’s to provide facilitation and project management support to the initiative including assisting them in reaching agreement during crucial periods within the coastal planning processes (March 2001 and December 2003). Coast Information Team Implementation (June 2001 to November 2003). The Coast Information Team (CIT) was an independent body mandated to develop locally and internationally credible information and advice on Ecosystem-Based Management for land and resource planning processes on the Central and North Coast and Queen Charlotte Islands\Haida Gwaii. The CIT was established as a result of agreements between the Province and First Nations, together with a wide range of interested groups announced in April 2001. Alex Grzybowski facilitated the 2001 Framework Agreement which was one of the key agreements that established the commitment to convene the CIT as well as the Funding Agreement between the Provincial Government, Forest Companies, Environmental Groups and First Nations which provided 3.0 million in financial resources to the CIT. He also provided facilitation and management support to the implementation of key CIT projects including development of an EBM Framework, an EBM planning guide, a scientific compendium and a hydroriparian decision tool – completion of each of these projects required consensus between scientists and practitioners. The Kitasoo Xaixais and Gitga’at Protocol and Implementation Team. (April 2001 to November 2003). In the spring of 2001 the Gitga’at and the Kitasoo Xaixais convened negotiations amongst non-government stakeholders to resolve land use issues within their traditional territories. Alex Grzybowski was retained by the First Nations and the stakeholders to provide facilitation and mediation support to this negotiation process over a 2.5 year period. The negotiations resulted in an initial Protocol, which was signed by the elected and hereditary chiefs of both First Nations and representatives of forest companies operating within the territories and environmental groups with concerns within the territories. This Protocol laid the foundation for subsequent negotiations within the Protocol Implementation Team regarding land use, forest management practices and economic development. The Team developed and negotiated agreements on proposed land use zones, a planning framework for ecosystem based management (EBM), and an approach to securing and implementing financing for the conservation commitments implicit in the new zones and the implementation of EBM. The proposed land use zones were integrated into the land use plans of both First Nations as well as the broader provincially sponsored planning processes for the area (CCLRMP and NC LRMP). The EBM planning framework was also incorporated into the FN Land Use Plans as well as being integrated into the work of the Coast Information Team (CIT) where it was instrumental to the development of the EBM Handbook by the CIT. The conservation financing approach provided a practical model that was integrated into the coast wide Conservation Investments and Incentives Initiative. Strategic Planning and Mediation Training with Esketemc First Nation. (January to March 2001). The Esketemc First Nation live in the Alkali Lake area and were involved in the Treaty process and informal discussions with local non-First Nations communities regarding improving relationships between First Nations and Non-First Nations. Alex Grzybowski was retained by the Esketemc to assist them with internal strategic planning regarding both the Treaty process and the talks with other communities as well as to provide mediation and negotiation training. Forest Stewardship Council Certification Standard (November 2001 to May 2002). The FSC standard is an international standard of forest product certification. Alex Grzybowski was retained with Daniel Johnston to provide mediation and facilitation support to negotiations between representatives of Economic, Environmental, Social, and First Nations Chambers to finalize the first FSC standard for British Columbia. The negotiations resulted in a recommended standard for the Province. Streamside Protection Regulation (January to April 2002). Issues associated with implementation of a provincial regulation requiring streamside setbacks in urban areas precipitated a multi-party review of the regulation. Alex Grzybowski was retained to facilitate the review process in a manner that would both develop consensus recommendations as well as define the alternative perspectives of the affected parties. Both of these objectives were achieved. Range land management and research near Kamloops. (May to July 2001) Research programs within Agriculture Canada and the Provincial Ministry of Forests were in conflict in the Opax\Mud Lakes area near Kamloops. Local ranchers and BC Parks were also affected. Alex Grzybowski was retained to mediate negotiations between all parties. The mediation process culminated in a long-term agreement between all parties that integrates all of their primary interests. Review of Department of Fisheries and Ocean’s Participation Processes. (June 2000 to April 2001). The Department contracted the University of Victoria Institute for Dispute Resolution to conduct an independent public review of its consultation and decision making processes. Alex Grzybowski provided project management and facilitation support to the initiative and was the primary author and editor of the final report and recommendations. Federal Provincial Watershed Based Fish Sustainability Planning Framework. (2000). Alex Grzybowski facilitated committee discussions, workshops and negotiation sessions involving headquarters and regional staff from Federal and Provincial Fisheries agencies and NGO’s to develop consensus on a planning framework for watershed based fish and fish habitat management. Federal Provincial Fish Habitat Protection Agreement Negotiations. (1998). Alex Grzybowski facilitated committee discussions, workshops and negotiation sessions involving headquarters and regional staff from Federal and Provincial Fisheries agencies and NGO’s to develop the Agreement. Greater Vancouver Skytrain Development. (September 1998 to July 2000) The Rapid Transit Project Office was responsible for construction of phase one of the Skytrain in Vancouver. This included meeting all relevant governmental decision process requirements including public consultation. Alex Grzybowski was retained by the RTPO over a two year period to assist with the design and implementation of the public consultation process and to advise on various issues including meeting relevant provincial and federal environmental impact assessment requirements. Kitimat and Area Community Health Council. (January to April 2000). The Council was responsible for overseeing the delivery of health care in Kitimat and surrounding communities. Alex Grzybowski was retained to assess conflicts associated with health care delivery in Kitimat and to subsequently facilitate discussions on the sustainable level of services and medical staff Bylaws. Watershed Restoration Program. (January 1998 to March 1999). The Watershed Restoration program was a province wide program aimed at restoring watersheds that had been negatively affected by forestry practices. Alex Grzybowski was retained by the program managers to help refine the program to increase net benefits and ease of implementation. In this capacity, Alex Grzybowski facilitated regional working discussions on program improvements, provided advice to program managers, and drafted reports and recommendations for program improvements. The Anahim Round Table. (January 1992 to March 1994). The Ulkatcho First Nation and local stakeholder groups from the Anahim Lake area requested support from the BC Commission On Resources and Environment to support resolution of local land use and forest management issues. Alex Grzybowski was assigned by the Commission to provided project management, facilitation and training support to the initiative. With assistance from Alex Grzybowski the parties convened the Anahim Round Table which involved 29 representatives of a wide range of resource and environmental interests as well as representatives of the Ulkatcho and the Province. The Anahim Round Table reached agreement on a comprehensive resource management plan for the Ulkatcho traditional territory. In addition, the Ulkatcho and the local forest company established a business partnership to undertake forest development in keeping with the plan. Caribou Chilcotin Land Use Plan. (January 1992 to July 1994). Alex Grzybowski provided project management and facilitation to the multiparty negotiation (33 representatives of a wide range of resource and environmental interests including First Nations) on behalf of the Commission On Resources and Environment. The table was unable to reach agreement given a lack of policy direction regarding the amount of protected areas required in the region. Alex Grzybowski subsequently took the lead on drafting the Commissions recommended plan for the region which became the starting point for a final negotiation which resulted in agreement on a land use plan for the region. Selected Training Projects
Training for Land Use Negotiators Invited to the World Wildlife Fund Gift to The Earth Award recognition of the Great Bear Rainforest. (May 2007). Alex Grzybowski and Daniel Johnston delivered negotiation training to land use negotiators from a wide range of developing countries in Africa and Latin America who were brought together by the WWF to celebrate and learn from the Great Bear Rain Forest Conservation Agreement. Training for parties involved in Indigenous Land Use Agreement Negotiations in South Australia. (April 2007). Alex Grzybowski and Daniel Johnston delivered negotiation training to representatives of the South Australian Government, Aboriginal People, and representatives of the Mining sector. Alex Grzybowski subsequently delivered a follow up training with legal council from the Native Title unit of the Attorney Generals Ministry. Conflict management training in Santo Andre Brazil (Jan. 1999 to Aug 1999) The Municipality of Santo Andre in Sao Paulo Brazil is taking the lead in the implementation of a multi-party process to resolve issues such as protected area encroachment and illegal settlement which are affecting drinking water supplies in the area. Alex Grzybowski and Stephen Owen were retained to provide strategic advice and training to the parties on the design and implementation of conflict management processes. Thailand Public Participation and Conflict Management Training Program (1996 to 1997). A wide range of Thai government agencies with responsibilities for natural resource management are seeking improved methods of public participation and conflict management. In response to this need the CIDA NREM project retained Alex Grzybowski to develop a training program aimed at introducing public participation and conflict management approaches and methods into internal Royal Thai Government Agency training programs. The initiative included the development of training materials, case studies and a trainer’s manual as well as pilot training sessions in different locations around the country. Natural Resource/Environmental Management Training, Thailand (1997). Alex Grzybowski led a training program design team to develop an integrated training program to support the implementation of Management Frameworks for Sustainable Development (MFSD’s) in Thailand. MFSD’s are a primary outcome of the CIDA NREM project in Thailand. Alex Grzybowski took the lead in the development of the facilitation training modules for Interior Ministry officials and consultants that will be tasked with facilitating MFSD development which is a multi-party, interagency planning process. Thailand National Security Council Seminar (1999). With the assistance of the Southeast Asia fund for Institutional and Legal Development and the Asia Foundation, Khon Kaen University Institute for Dispute Resolution provided a 2 day seminar on Conflict Management to senior staff at the National Security Council as well as other Royal Thai Government agencies. Alex Grzybowski was one of two Canadian speakers invited to participate in the seminar. Alex Grzybowski presented on mediation techniques in a multi-party public policy dispute context as well as case studies from Canada and Thailand. Bangkok Metropolitan Police Training (1996). Public demonstrations over public policy issues are common in Thailand. Many of these protests are staged in Bangkok - the center of political and administrative power in the country. The Bangkok Metropolitan Police are often on the frontline responding to these conflict situations. After several senior members of the force responsible for riot control attended conflict management training sessions delivered by Alex Grzybowski in association with Khon Kaen Institute for Dispute Resolution they requested that the training team deliver the program to all 120 police chiefs in Bangkok. The course material was supplemented with information on approaches used by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in responding to hostage taking and barricade incidents. The BKK Police Chiefs worked through the program using real cases that they have been involved in. Cambodia Human Rights Committee Training (1996 and 1997). The Cambodia Human Rights Committee requested the nonprofit Canadian Association Pacific Resolutions to assemble a team of Canadians to develop and deliver a training program on complaint investigation, non-adjudicative dispute resolution, Ombudsmanship and land policy development. The Team consisted of experts in the field from British Columbia and Alberta including MP Stephen Owen, past Deputy Attorney General and Ombudsman for British Columbia, and Harley Johnson past Ombudsmen for Alberta. Alex Grzybowski developed and managed the project on behalf of Pacific Resolutions and assisted with the dispute resolution component of the training. This project was sponsored by the CIDA Southeast Asia Fund for Institutional and Legal Development.
Menu of Public Negotiation Training Session Elements
Recent Training within Canada BC Hydro March 2009 Province of Alberta – Ministry of Natural Resources July 2007 University of Victoria Professional Development Program Sept. 2006 Graduate Law Course Summer 2000 University Of Victoria Institute for Dispute Resolution June 2000 Forest Renewal British Columbia Dec. 1997 Lillooet Land & Resource Management Planning Process April 1997 University Of Victoria Institute for Dispute Resolution March 1997 Okanagan Shuswap Land & Resource Management Planning Process March 1996 Nootka Land Use Advisory Committee January 1996
Recent International Training Central Asian Countries April 2009 Nile Basin Countries Dec 2007 WWF International Training May 2007 South Australia Parties to native Title Negotiations (2 sessions) April 2007 Nile Basin Countries Feb 2006 Brazil Fisheries CIDA Project - Facilitation June 2005 PBAS Mentor/Coach for Facilitators 07/06/05/04/03 Brazil Fisheries – Conflict Resolution October 2003 ASEAN Nations – Mediation March 2001 Business Partners for Development March 2000 Venezuela – Placer Dome, Local Communities, NGO’s, Gov’t April 2000 Santo Andre Municipality, Brazil August 1999 Bangkok Municipal Police Chiefs June 1997 Royal Thai Government Agencies (3 sessions) March 1997 Royal Thai Government Agencies - training for trainers Feb. 1997 Cambodia Human Rights Commission Dec. 1996 Thai Ministry of Interior - Chiefs of Governor’s Offices Oct. 1996 Thai Ministry of Interior - Vice-Governors August 1996 Thai Multistakeholder June 1996 Cambodia Ministry of Environment April 1996
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