Presents

Immigration Dialogue 2010

July 23, 2010  (3:30-5:30 pm PT)

at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles

Featuring:

Arizona State Rep. John Kavanagh (R)  and

Arizona State Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (D)  

Moderated by:

Lee Jay Berman
President, American Institute of Mediation

This program is approved for 2 Hours MCLE Credit

Please join the American Institute of Mediation for our Immigration Dialogue 2010, a unique and special event where we will discuss the immigration issue facing America today.  This discussion will be a facilitated dialogue held at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles on July 23^rd from 3:30-5:30 pm and features Arizona legislators John Kavanagh (R) and Kyrsten Sinema (D).  Moderated by our President, mediator and talk show host Lee Jay Berman, this innovative event will take the form of a mediated discussion, rather than an interview or debate, between the lawmakers.  We will discuss the immigration issues facing our nation, and have some discussion about Arizona's controversial SB 1070, which is due to become law on July 28 of this year.

These two Arizona legislators, alongside their constituents, have lived with these immigration issues up close and personally and can articulate the issues as they are viewed by their respective groups.  In hosting this event, the American Institute of Mediation is hoping to commence a change in the way we all talk about the critical issues that face our society, and to become more collaborative and a little less competitive; to listen more and argue less; and to explain, describe and attempt to understand, rather than simply repeating sound bites and talking points.  We believe that solutions that are derived from people's interests are generally strong and long lasting, and we hope to demonstrate this by moving this discussion in that direction using the same skills that mediators use on a daily basis.

If a mere 120-minute dialogue about immigration among stakeholder representatives could curtail protests, boycotts and protracted litigation, wouldn’t you welcome the opportunity to watch such a conversation live and in person?

We expect to fill a 300-seat neutral venue in Los Angeles with members of the public, government, law enforcement and of course the media who would witness how parties interested in the controversial immigration question might come together to have a facilitated dialogue from which every state, not just Arizona, could benefit.

We will do all that we are able to provide a safe, protest-free venue, a respectful audience, media coverage and the opportunity for our guests to speak about their issues freely and fully.

“I am donating my time and resources to this project because in my 16-year career as a mediator, I have never encountered a conflict that could not benefit from a structured mediative approach when the parties so need to have their interests understood,” said Berman. “I believe the immigration dilemma has been minimized to sound-bites and protests and is truly no exception to this rule. Our guests, as thought leaders on this topic deserve to be better heard and understood by those who disagree with them, and we are able to provide that forum.”

We invite you to join us for this AIM Institute Special Event. Only 200 tickets will be sold, so register now before it sells out. Advance registration is required, and parking is free.  Parking will be available at Skirball's East Parking Lot (across Sepulveda Blvd.).  Please plan to arrive early, both because of road construction at Sunset and the 405 Freeway, and because we expect the event to sell out, and we want to be sure we have ample time to move all of our guests through registration efficiently and promptly.  Video highlights will be available online at the AIM Institute site following the event.

Media Contact:  Brenda McGann Public Relations

View Full Press Release

Link to Arizona Immigration Law SB 1070

Link to Arizona Senate Fact Sheet for Immigration Law SB 1070

Media Sponsorship Provided By:

Los Angeles Daily Journal
 

Supporting Organizations:

Southern California Mediation Association

Los Angeles County Bar Immigration Section

 The American Institute of Mediation is an approved provider of MCLE Credits by the State Bar of California.