About Us

Resource Solutions is a program of the University of Alaska Anchorage which provides assistance for decision making on public issues specializing in constructive approaches using collaborative problem solving, capacity building and research. Resource Solutions also provides consultations, convening, and customized trainings to build agreement among competing interests, with a primary focus on important public issues, jump-starting new projects or initiatives, or when changes are needed to meet new circumstances.

As an integral part of UAA's Office of Community Partnerships, Resource Solutions connects citizens and organizations with government in a more effective and constructive manner by developing the capacity and willingness to cooperate, negotiate and reach implementable decisions.

Resource Solutions is nonpartisan. It is not an advocate for any particular interest or outcome. We offer workshops and contractual services for consultation, facilitation, and project management to build agreement on public issues and decisions. Please look at our complete brochure for more information.

Why are Collaborative Approaches Needed?

Public decisions are a mixture of our values and opinions, technical knowledge and abilities, and our political systems. Often these views conflict with one another, and when they differ, there is often disregard for the opinions and perspectives of others.

By using approaches such as consensus building and collaborative problem solving, we can create structures to handle complex public issues in systematic, manageable, and less emotional ways. These approaches can provide the ability for us to be "tough on the problem, and easy on the people," so that even when individuals disagree with each other, they keep focused on the problem-not on each other. It provides a place at the table for those affected by a decision, as well as the ground rules to work constructively together so that even when disagreements exist, respectful behavior is present.

See Governments Changing Role.