When people care passionately, but their visions differ, resolving a situation may be very difficult. Gain a rigorous yet subtle framework for handling conflict and co-operation in any management context in this pioneering guide based on drama theory. Written by one of the originators of the field, and rooted in experience gained over a decade of application, this guide to managing collaboration will be an essential source for managers seeking to improve the quality of inter-organizational relationships and the effectiveness of collaborative working.Published by Wiley. ISBN: 0-470-84392-6 List Price: 25.00 US dollars http://wbns.wiley.com/cgi-bin9/flo?y=mKlJ0GQV5n0Ww0BMq40By

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Local councils are being urged to play a full part in consultations on the possible lowering of the voting age from 18 to 16. The call comes from the think tank the Local Government Information Unit which is a prominent supporter of the campaign for votes at 16. It is also calling for the age of candidature to be lowered to 18 from the present level of 21.It wants to ensure that local authorities and others take part in the consultations announced by the Electoral Commission, which the LGIU believes is an historic opportunity to modernise democracy and revive voter turnouts.

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Local government’s commitment to driving through improvement now has an unstoppable momentum, according to the Local Government Association’s chair, Sir Jeremy Beecham, today. He was commenting on the launch of an Improvement Route Map which the Association believes will be an important reference point for councils on the road to self-improvement.The publication follows the recent announcement of an agreement between the government and the LGA on a central fund of 27 million pounds aimed at helping local government build its own capacity to better itself.

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