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Ing Phansavath, Community and
Intergroup Conflicts Program Director
Ing Phansavath of Asian Pacific American Dispute Resolution CenterSomeone once said that excuses are like belly-buttons, everyone's got them. The same can be said for conflicts and problems in general, and many times the solution may seem like an elusive goal. Ing Phansavath, the 26 year-old Program Director for the Asian Pacific American Dispute Resolution Center APADRC), is part of an organization committed to promoting peaceful alternatives for conflict resolution. The calm hand replaces the fist where conflict mediation is concerned. Whether solving conflicts regarding housing or business disputes, all the way to cross-cultural or community conflicts, the APADRC is educating people of all ages that there are alternative methods of conflict resolution that they may have previously overlooked. The results of this education have led, in some cases, to a 25% reduction in school suspensions in districts that have partnered up with APADRC. By reaching out to people in five different languages the APADRC has proven its commitment to peaceful conflict resolution by reaching out to those who may suffer from a language barrier in Los Angeles and the nation abroad. Where there is conflict the APADRC has enacted change through compassionate education and effect mediation. Read more about the Asia Pacific American Dispute Resolution Center in our Non-Profit Spotlight.
Non-Profit
Asian Pacific American Dispute Resolution Center
Founded
July 1989
Website
www.apadrc.org
Name
Ing Phansavath, Community and Intergroup Conflicts Program Director
Age
26
Hometown
Anaheim, CA
Current residence
Los Angeles, CA
Education
MA- International Development and Social Change, Clark University, 2006;
BA-International Development Studies, UCLA, 2002.
Work Experience
Research Assistant, Social Science Research Center University of Hawaii;
Program Assistant, East West Center’s Asia Pacific Leadership Program.
Ethnicity
Chinese (born in Laos, raised in the OC)
About the non-profit
The Asian Pacific American Dispute Resolution Center (APADRC) is dedicated to providing mediation and conflict resolution services to traditionally underrepresented and underserved communities that face barriers such as language, culture, and income. Although its anticipated focus had been traditional housing, consumer affairs, and business disputes which permeate the field of community mediation, recent events have compelled the APADRC to redefine its mandate to address the complex, cross-cultural, multi-issue, multi-party community conflicts that abound not only in Los Angeles, but throughout our nation. We strive to improve human relations and race relations by addressing community conflicts and their root causes in collaboration with community partners through education, training, and development of new models and techniques.
In addition to providing conflict resolution services to the community, the APADRC works in partnership with local middle and high schools to provide youth-based peer mediation/conflict resolution programs at school sites. The APADRC is committed to preventing violence and empowering people to peacefully work through their conflicts.
Most notable milestones
Offering mediation in a variety of Asian languages and establishing peer mediation programs in local schools. This mediation has helped to reduce suspension rates by as much as 25 percent.
What's the niche?
The APADRC is the only center in Southern California whose service population routinely includes the often excluded, monolingual Asian Pacific immigrant communities. We currently provide mediation in English, Korean, Mandarin, Tagalog and Spanish.
What's the biggest challenge?
Finding volunteer mediators who speak and are comfortable mediating in another language.
What's in store for the future?
Reaching out to more ethnic communities in Los Angeles and educating more people about alternative dispute resolution.
Who would you like to be contacted by?
We would love to be contacted by a benevolent benefactor who believes in alternative dispute resolution and is willing to fund our programs. More realistically, anyone interested in conflict resolution and wants to learn about how to promote peace and empower people to resolve their own conflicts.
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Guiding principle in life
Conflict is an opportunity for change.
Yardstick of success
Success comes in many forms, but my favorite yardstick is the “Thank-yous” from community members who use our service, regardless of whether or not their conflicts are resolved.
Goal yet to be achieved
Being able to offer mediation services in all Asian and Pacific Islander languages.
Best practical advice
Learn how to see conflict as a positive opportunity. When you no longer fear conflict, you become more comfortable with it and can better accept the changes that will inevitably occur in life.
Supportive words from a family member or friend on your venture
One of my professors of conflict resolution once told the class, “As a mediator, you are the bridge between disputing sides. As a bridge, you will get stepped on by both sides. The important thing to remember is that though you are being stepped on, you are holding up the sides and you are the reason the parties can meet in the middle, so be strong.”
Mentor
Any person who has taken me, or will take me, under their wings and then push me out to fly on my own.
At age 10, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A politician, a pharmacist, or a farmer.
What motivated you to get started?
Throughout my education, I was taught to challenge the system and I have been fortunate enough to always be around people who worked to make a change. Being around movers and shakers made me want to move and shake as well. Thank goodness I was around people who also had some rhythm and could move to a beat – no matter how different that beat may be.
What keeps you motivated?
Knowing that there is a lot more work to be done to improve life and knowing that I am contributing to change – no matter how big or small.
Like best about what you do?
Meeting interesting people and the opportunities given to me so I can make a difference.
Like least about what you do?
Filling out forms and wasting paper on all the paperwork that needs to be done.
Biggest pastime outside of work?
Eating and sleeping.
Person most interested in meeting and why?
I would love an opportunity to sit down with the King of Bhutan so that we can chat about Gross National Happiness (GNH) and life in general.
Leader in business most interested in meeting and why?
Steve Jobs because maybe he’ll decide to become the APADRC’s benevolent benefactor.
Three interesting facts about yourself
1. I love socks.
2. I can sleep for over 10 hours straight.
3. I only like cookbooks that have pictures.
Three characteristics that best describe you
Short, simple, and goofy.
Three greatest passions
Food, travel, and happiness (GNH).
Favorite book
There are so many that I like, but if I have to choose, it’s a tie between Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris and The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman.
Favorite cause (outside of yours)
Environment, women’s rights, education.
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