Understanding Conflict in Public Participation - Hosted by IAP2 USA

  • August 11, 2025
  • August 12, 2025
  • 2 sessions
  • August 11, 2025, 1:00 PM 5:00 PM (EDT)
  • August 12, 2025, 1:00 PM 5:00 PM (EDT)
  • Online with Trainer: Cathy Smith and Penny Mabie
  • 21

Registration

  • Please provide proof of membership to info@iap2usa.org for discount code.
  • Please ask your region to forward your proof of membership to info@iap2usa.org for discount code.

Register

IAP2 Understanding Conflict in Public Participation

**You must first complete Fundamentals of Public Participation or the previous Foundations Training to take this course**

The aim of Understanding Conflict in P2/engagement is to help you understand, and more effectively manage, conflict dynamics. The focus of this Level 1 course will be on developing the skills of participants to identify and mitigate situations of tension and conflict within their P2/engagement work.




Course Objectives:

  • Understand the sources, types and factors that contribute to conflict in P2/engagement and the impact they may have on the process

  • Understand the role of power and influence in engagement practice

  • Understand and identify the cycle of escalation, and the behaviors, attitudes and actions that are evident as conflict increases

  • Contribute to and/or apply strategies to de-escalate challenging situations

  • Identify how to build effective relationships and partnerships through empathy, active listening, respect and trust

  • Learn approaches to work in challenging situations applying behaviors that build trust and credibility

  • Consider the role of integrity and ethics in the conduct of the P2/engagement practitioner, and how that is upheld in the process

    Professional Certification/Credits


     — Cancellation and Substitution policy —

    Trainer: Cathy Smith

    Cathy’s work in the inter-related fields associated with climate change—land use, transportation, water, energy, health—brings depth of knowledge and understanding of current engagement needs. As a past community mediator and practicing writer and storyteller, her engagement insights span from conflict management to communications. She’s one of 15 Certified Public Participation Practitioners in the country, a graduate of USD’s School of Law, and IAP2USA’s Past President.


    Trainer: Penny Mabie 

    Penny Mabie has been licensed by IAP2 to deliver the Certificate Program since 2009. She has more than 20 years of experience in public involvement, facilitation, and training. As a public involvement consultant, Penny provides facilitation and public participation services to support environmental remediation decision processes, infrastructure siting and design, multi-jurisdictional task forces on flood control, recycling and transportation planning, and national climate change initiatives. She is also a roster member with the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution.



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