Irvine, CA - The non-profit JAMS Foundation announced today that it will fund fellowships annually for the Weinstein International Fellowship program. The program, named to honor the contributions of JAMS mediator Hon. Daniel Weinstein (Ret.), provides opportunities for individuals from outside of the United States to visit the U.S. to learn more about dispute resolution processes and to pursue a project of their own design that serves to advance the resolution of disputes in their home country.
“Due to the never-ending stream of conflict worldwide, it is critical that JAMS lead the way in introducing and spreading the effective use of ADR,” said Judge Weinstein, a retired San Francisco Superior Court judge and a member of the JAMS Foundation Board of Directors. “These fellowships will help individuals who are qualified and committed to culturally relevant ADR when they return home. Facilitating the use of ADR in different countries will benefit not only the citizens of those countries but will also enhance the global ADR movement."
Weinstein International Fellowship applicants are encouraged to be creative in developing projects that will increase the availability of dispute resolution education, training and services in their own countries and beyond. The JAMS Foundation Board of Directors will approve up to two fellowships per year, providing up to $25,000 per fellow in support of the project described in their application.
“We are extremely excited about this pioneering JAMS Foundation initiative, and we are especially proud to name the Fellowships to honor Judge Weinstein,” said Chris Poole, JAMS Foundation President and JAMS President and CEO. “Judge Weinstein is a sterling example of a JAMS neutral making a substantial difference in our local, national, and worldwide communities.”
“Our intent is that these fellowships will play a meaningful role in attracting men and women from other countries who are capable of advancing the effective use of ADR elsewhere in the world,” said Jay Folberg, Executive Director of the JAMS Foundation. “We anticipate the applicants will be a highly motivated group, and we look forward to their creative proposals and the positive impact they will have.”
During their time in the U.S., depending on the nature of their project, fellows may be based in a JAMS Resolution Center or may participate in a university program. Some fellows may be affiliated with another organization or institution as part of their study. Part of the fellow’s time in the United States will be spent observing JAMS neutrals at work resolving contested cases.
More information about the Weinstein International Fellowship program may be found at
www.jamsfoundation.org.
About the JAMS FoundationThe non-profit JAMS Foundation is the largest private provider of ADR-related grants in the world. The Foundation was established in 2002 by JAMS, The Resolution Experts, the nation’s premier provider of alternative dispute resolution services, and is funded by JAMS mediators, arbitrators and employee associates who contribute a percentage of their income. The JAMS Foundation has provided nearly $1.5 million in grant funding since its inception.
Founded in 1979, JAMS has Resolution Centers nationwide. JAMS and its more than 200 full-time mediators and arbitrators are responsible for resolving thousands of the nation's most important cases. JAMS may be reached at 800-352-5267.