Great Decisions explores diplomacy, mediation
'Talking to Our Enemies' topic for Feb. 20 gathering

How the United States deals with international challenges often depends on how it engages with both allies and enemies. A question that often arises is whether or not American diplomats should engage with the enemy in an age of terrorism and nuclear proliferation.

Michael T. Colatrella Jr., educator, mediator and attorney, will explore the topic "Talking to Our Enemies" at Great Decisions, Wednesday, Feb.20 at noon in the Tyler Public Library.

Colatrella serves as Director and Senior Lecturer at the Southern Methodist University (SMU) Center for Dispute Resolution & Conflict Management in Plano, Texas. He teaches in the areas of Alternative Dispute Resolution, Mediation, Negotiation, Organizational Conflict, and Civil Trial Practice.

Colatrella will also invite the audience to join in a disc ussion that delves into such questions as how the United States deals with countries like Cuba, North Korea and Iran, and what approach the U.S. should take with groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.

As a court-approved mediator in Texas, New Jersey and Kansas, Colatrella has participated in disputes involving employment contracts, commercial contracts, consumer fraud suits, personal injury, and commercial and residential leases.

In addition to his teaching and mediation activities, Colatrella also educates corporate executives and business people in a wide variety of dispute resolution and human relations matters.

Great Decisions is a series of discussions that are part of a national effort started over 50 years ago by the Foreign Policy Association. The local sponsors are AAUW (American Association of University Women) - Tyler Branch; the League of Women Voters of Tyler/Smith County; and the Tyler Public Library.

Great Decisions meets at noon on consecutive Wednesdays through March 5. For more information about the local Great Decisions series, call 903-593-7323 or go to the Tyler Public Librar y website www.tylerlibrary.com. For more information about the national project, log on to www.greatdecisions.org.