Copyright © 2004 by the author(s). Published here under license by CECI. The following is the established format for referencing this article: Di Stefano, L. D., Imon S. S., Lee H., Di Stefano J. J. 2004. Bridging differences: a model for effective communication between different disciplines through conservation training programs for professionals. City & Time 1 (2): 1. [online] URL: http://www.ct.ceci-br.org 1 BRIDGING DIFFERENCES: A MODEL FOR EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES THROUGH CONSERVATION TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR PROFESSIONALS Lynne D. DiStefano ? , Sharif Shams Imon ? , Ho-yin Lee ? and Joseph J. DiStefano ? A bstract Training programs have long recognized the importance of communication. However, not all programs have fully understood that effective communication depends on understanding and communicating across a variety of differences, including professional differences, in order to achieve quality decision-making, if not “ break- through ideas” . The MBI model (Mapping, Bridging, Integrating), a three-component process, simply and clearly shows that understanding and a willingness to communicate from a neutral position can “bridge differences” and lead to positive decision-making. Bridging differences is at the core of a postgraduate conservation training program—the Architectural Conservation Program (ACP) at The University of Hong Kong—and the program, through its pedagogy, has been able to help its students better understand the differences between professionals (disciplines) involved in the field of conservation. Through a questionnaire and follow-up interviews, the success of the program in bridging differences is evaluated. Recommendations for making the program even more effective are discussed, and the potential of using the model for other kinds of training programs in the field of conservation is noted. Keywords: effective communication, bridging differences, MBI model 1.0 Introduction Effective communication between disciplines is increasingly seen as one of the most important aspects of conservation-related work. It is particularly critical in the field of conservation for two main reasons: (1) the nature of conservation issues is often subjective and sometimes controversial; (2) the professional disciplines involved in the field are many and diverse, and this leads to complex communication problems. It is therefore imperative for these multi-disciplinary professionals to come closer and bridge their differences. The word “bridge” thus becomes a metaphor for good and effective communication among conservation professionals, and it also symbolizes the crossing over from one discipline to another for better mutual understanding and consensus building. The paper explores the applicability of a model from the social sciences for bridging differences among professionals – the MBI model – to the field of conservation by examining a postgraduate-level conservation training program at The University of Hong Kong. The MBI model is used to help understand and explain how successful the program has been in helping its students understand the differences between the diverse ? Architectural Conservation Programme (ACP), The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China ? International Institute for Management Development (IMD), Lausanne, Switzerland