AACR is dedicated to supporting and improving the field of alternative dispute resolution. Among its purposes are: To increase public understanding and acceptance of appropriate dispute resolution and collaborative decision making processes and of the roles of dispute resolvers and facilitators of collaborative decision making processes, with full attention to the range of cultural values which may influence these processes; To advance the educational and professional interests of all persons engaged in the resolution of disputes and collaborative decisions making processes; To enhance the professional skills of mediators, facilitators, conciliators, fact finders, arbitrators, hearing officers, trial examiners, ombuds and other dispute resolvers and facilitators of collaborative decision making processes; To promote the professionalism of dispute resolvers and facilitators of collaborative decision making processes at the local, regional, national and international levels, whether paid or volunteer.