Chamber signs MoU

THE Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and ACCORD Africa Dispute Resolution (AfDR) have launched a collaborative partnership.

With the current economic climate, political tension, conflict in communities, universities and families, the groups feel there is a need for alternative mechanisms to best deal with conflict and its costly challenges.

In recognition of the fact that mediation, negotiation and conflict management are powerful tools in resolving disputes quickly and effectively, AfDR and DCCI have agreed to collaborate in order to offer value to DCCI’s members through highlighting AfDR’s services. These services reduce tension in both the commercial and labour arenas and hence encourage economic growth.

AfDR was formed by the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) after recognising the need for a unique approach to dispute resolution. ACCORD is one of the largest conflict management organisations in Africa and has for over 20 years operated in the field of conflict prevention, resolution, and management.

Alternative (Appropriate) Dispute Resolution has gained widespread popularity in both the legal profession and the public in recent years, due to its potential to significantly reduce the costs, time and impact of disputes on businesses, organisations, families and individuals.

In the current economic and labour relations climate, businesses can ill afford to be embroiled in damaging, costly, long running disputes which take the focus of management and staff off core business. As an accredited CCMA service provider AfDR conducts mediations, conciliations, facilitations, arbitrations, the chairing of hearings in terms of the Labour Relations Act, training, conflict audits and dispute systems design. Its services are applicable to private, public, community, family and individual disputes.

The partnership with AfDR will allow DCCI to expose its members to the practical concepts and benefits of Alternative (Appropriate) Dispute Resolution, thereby offering them alternatives to traditional litigation and conflictual approaches to resolving disputes.