Cross-cultural, Dialogue, International Mediation, Mediation and Society, Mediation Practice, Personal Development, Philosophy, Reflective Practice, Stories, Transformation

(Bond & Bond Mediation / University of Wildau )/ /2 Comments

A couple of weeks ago I came across a poem by the Native American writer Joy Harjo, entitled “Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings.” The title made me curious, as might be expected for a mediator. You can find the whole poem online on the Poetry Foundation website, or you can buy the book of poems…

Communication, Creativity, Dialogue, Dispute Resolution, Framing, Instinct, Interests, Intuition, mediation process, Mediators’ Conduct, Skills, The role of the mediator, Transformation, Understanding mediation

(Strategic Resolution)/ /Leave a comment

Photo credit: Christof Häuser, via Nathalie Birli We mediators are accustomed to recognising empathy as an important part of our mediation repertoire which is consistently reinforced in our training and professional development. It is front of mind for many of us as we plan for and conduct our mediations. This blog has seen its fair…

Enforcement, Mediation Practice, Mediation Reforms (Legislation, etc.), Settlement Agreements

(ADR Center Romania)/ /5 Comments

Two weeks before the Singapore signing ceremony of the UN Convention on International Mediated Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation, the Romanian Parliament adopted modifications to the Romanian Mediation Law according to which, among many other new provisions, the mediation agreement will be enforceable title in Romania if signed by parties’ lawyers. With this modification, it…

Developing the Field, Ethics, Future of mediation, Growth of the Field (Challenges, New Sectors, etc.), Language, Mediation and Society, mediation as a career, mediation process, Philosophy, Reflective Practice, Scotland, Uncategorized, Understanding mediation

(University of Strathclyde)/ /4 Comments
Values drive practice

(I first wrote about mediation’s values 12 years ago at the tail end of a Masters in Conflict Resolution and Mediation Studies.(1) Two years of study had convinced me that it is our values, rather than the techniques we learn, that tell us what to do and say when when mediating. The intervening years haven’t…

Singapore Convention on Mediation

(Singapore International Dispute Resolution Academy)/ /6 Comments

It was an amazing week for Singapore! The highlight was the signing of the UN Convention on International Mediated Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation, now known as the Singapore Convention on Mediation, on 7 August 2019 (Wednesday) at the Shangri La Hotel in Singapore. Here is a picture of all the dignatories who signed with…

Bias, Cognitive Bias, Creativity, Decision making, Fear, Guitar, Intuition, Neuroscience, Time Pressure, Uncategorized

(Core Solutions Group / Scottish Universities Insight Institute)/ /2 Comments

“If two people are in a room, there are actually six to consider: “What each person is; what each person thinks he or she is; and what each person thinks the other is.” So began a recent Guardian editorial on relations between Iran and the USA. This observation is attributed to the late wife of…

Brexit, Mediation and Society, Negotiation, Policy, Scotland, Uncategorized

(Core Solutions Group)/ /6 Comments

“For nobody would understand, And you kill what you fear, And you fear what you don’t understand.” Powerful words. As a progressive rock music aficionado, these lyrics taken from the song “Duke’s Travels” by my favourite band, Genesis, have often brought me up short as I listen to the album from which they come, 1980’s…

Communication, Cross-cultural, Dialogue, Negotiation, Practical Challenges for Mediators

(NZ Centre for ICT Law & School of Law, Auckland University)/ /2 Comments

“Across the great divide, Just grab your hat and take that ride” – The Band, 1969 (written by Robbie Robertson) We have all had those conversations or exchanges after which we’ve wished we had thought of a further point to make, a rebuttal of the other’s claim we only later thought of, a way of…

Communication, Feedback, Framing, Georgia, Leadership, Perception, Reflective Practice, Training, Trust, Workplace Mediation, Young Mediators

(Bond & Bond Mediation / University of Wildau )/ /Leave a comment

Mediation has taken me to many places – professionally, physically, intellectually, emotionally, spiritually. Last week I was so fortunate to be doing six days of training in Tbilisi, Georgia, at New Vision University. Three days with students learning the skills of mediation and three days with young professionals reflecting on appropriate communication and challenging conversations…