In a world full of multifaceted conflicts and increased polarization, peacemaking is a convincing yet welcome initiative. It comes as no secret that human rights violations are both a cause and repercussion of disputes. In peacemaking, it is essential to reflect on the factors in developing a modern human rights system. Despite the growing tensions between human rights and the process of peacemaking, human rights are indeed an essential component of and indispensable for peace. Additionally, international mediation has become one of the most substantial approaches to dealing with cross-border conflicts. Mediation is one well peaceful approach to conflict resolution in which a neutral third party commences the process by establishing ground rules.
Mediation has gained acceptance worldwide over the years. It is an effective means of conflict settlement, minimizing possible state violence. When it comes to conflict resolution and peacemaking, California-born Douglas Eugene Noll is a peacemaker, mediator, and consultant who has always promoted peace through his kind words and actions.
Noll embarked on the journey of promoting peacemaking upon his departure from his civil trial business in 2000. He has since mediated hundreds of intricate, contentious, and challenging conflicts. Where litigation was not an option, he settled family business concerns, congregational differences, and internal company governance challenges. Mediators bring disputing parties to the negotiation table and assist them in reaching an agreement. This is what Noll has been doing since he decided to promote peacemaking. As a mediator, he has mediated and arbitrated over 1,200 cases, including many construction defects and real estate matters involving millions of dollars.
Noll is a well-known peacemaking and mediation theory and practice author, speaker, and lecturer. As a lawyer, he was named California Attorney of the year in 2012 for the pro bono Prison of peace project by California lawyer magazine. Two years later, in 2014, Noll was listed as Lawyer of the year by Best Lawyers America.
For 22 years, he was a passionate trial lawyer, but later, he realized he did not belong there. He consciously decided to become a peacemaker. It was in 2009 when his colleague Laurel Kaufer received a request from an inmate in the world’s most dangerous women’s prison. Noll audaciously accepted the proposal and decided to help the inmate along with his friend; they both contributed to the cause without any reluctance. The initiative began in Valley State Prison for Women in Chowchilla, California, the world’s largest and most dangerous women’s prison. Noll began educating male offenders after the institution was transformed into a men’s prison in 2013.
Noll also pursued martial arts and earned a black belt in 1991. He eventually began training in Tai Chi, which forced him to reconsider his professional ambitions and career. Consequently, he finished the Master’s degree in Peacemaking and Conflict Management at Fresno Pacific University.
Many people are born with certain impairments. Noll, too, was born with severe impairments like clubfeet and near-blindness. He was motivated not to let his disabilities get in his way to ascend the heights he has achieved. Noll has spent his life working through troublesome matters and has helped people take the righteous route through consultation and mediation.
In addition to being a staunch mediator and peacemaker, Noll is also regarded as a thought author. He has penned four novels demonstrating his passion for peace and peacemaking approaches. As someone born with multiple impairments, Noll can be regarded as an example-setting figure who defied the odds and paved his way to success in various professions. He co-founded the non-governmental organization Prison of Peace, which teaches inmates in maximum-security prisons to be mediators and peacemakers in prison communities. Noll also educates business and thinking leaders on communicating and engaging with others while using and regulating emotions.
Douglas Eugene Noll has contributed to the legal profession by assisting students in achieving success through education and teaching. He has worked as a teacher in various positions at numerous institutes throughout his career. He has also penned a total of four books. His most recent book, De-Escalate: How to Calm an Angry Person in 90 Seconds Or Less, won the Book Excellence Award. In a nutshell, being born with impairment can not restrict one from achieving their dreams. Noll’s life can be an example for people born with disabilities.
