Mediation is a private, safe forum for conversation about conflict.
A mediator is a neutral third party who -
- creates and monitors a safe, private environment for conversation
- helps participants hear and be heard . . . understand and be understood
- promotes communication, cooperation and compromise
MEANINGFUL SELF-DETERMINATION
Participants are in charge of their own solutions and control the results.
ORIENTATION & INFORMATION EXCHANGE
Mediator orients the participants to the mediation process.
Participants orient the mediator to the conflict.
Orientation occurs -
- by electronic communication (phone, fax, email)
- before during and after each mediation session
- in face-to-face joint conferences
- in private conferences (caucus) with individuals
ISSUE IDENTIFICATION & CLARIFICATION
Mediator helps the participants -
- identify the problems
- clarify the elements of the conflict
- recognize the components that contribute to disagreement
Mediator helps the participants explore possible solutions
WITHOUT judging their relative value
Mediator helps the participants -
- analyze possible solutions
- identify underlying values
- consider the merit of each other's ideas
Mediator helps the participants -
- depersonalize the problem
- focus on mutual interests
- establish objective criteria for evaluating solutions
REALITY TESTING & COMPROMISE
Mediator helps the participants -
- compare each other's ideas to their own expectations
- discover underlying interests and values
- understand risks and down-side of impasse
- strive for flexibility in meeting each other's needs
Mediator helps the participants -
- create a writing that bookmarks the conversations
- set interim goals including tasks and timetables
- formalize final resolution
- identify other appropriate resources
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